Two Europe-focused brokers clash on regulation, platforms, and pricing. The tension centers on which strengths traders value most.
XTB holds the higher editorial score (4.5 vs 4.3), reflecting stronger trust/regulation and platform tools. ActivTrades remains competitive but trails overall based on the numbers.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want no inactivity fee. You gain access to about 1,000 instruments and regional Italian, Spanish, Portuguese support.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want a leading proprietary platform. You also access about 5,800 instruments.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 0.80 pips for XTB, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Pros
FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client
ActivTrader's volatility protection feature is a genuine risk management differentiator
No minimum deposit
Strong southern European presence, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 4.3/5 and XTB rates 4.5/5. XTB has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ActivTrades starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than XTB's 0.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither ActivTrades nor XTB requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and XTB hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while XTB lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB wins for safety and transparency thanks to LSE/WSE listing and multiple regulators.
XTB wins for active traders due to 5800 instruments and strong xStation 5 platform.
ActivTrades is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
XTB wins for platform choice with xStation 5 offering strong proprietary tools.
ActivTrades wins for beginners due to regional support and guidance.
XTB wins for instrument variety with about 5,800 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2001 | 2002 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Warsaw, Poland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | €10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FCA CySEC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | xStation 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
LSE- and WSE-listed with FCA, CySEC, and KNF regulation, exceptional corporate transparency
xStation 5 is one of the best proprietary platforms in retail forex
Zero-commission stock CFDs up to EUR 100,000/month
No minimum deposit on standard accounts
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Product range narrower than IG or Saxo
No cTrader or raw ECN account option
Less known outside Europe compared to global competitors
Cons
Market maker on forex, not appropriate for raw ECN scalpers
Product breadth narrower than IG or Saxo
Support quality varies outside European hours
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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