This comparison pits ActivTrades against ACY Securities in a test of global reach and regulated safety. The axis of tension centers on exchange access, platform strength, and fund protection.
ActivTrades offers access to 10 exchanges versus ACY Securities' 5, a clear edge in market access while both remain closely matched.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want access to more exchanges and a proprietary trading platform.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want ASIC regulation with ECN execution and MT4/MT5 charting.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades wins safety & regulation due to supplemental private insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 and FCA oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | ACY Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and ACY Securities rates 3.6/5. ActivTrades 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.
ACY Securities lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with ActivTrades's 0.5. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and ACY Securities 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, two factors stand out: ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while ACY Securities 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.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
Neither ActivTrades nor ACY Securities is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
ActivTrades scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
ACY Securities wins for active traders due to ECN execution and MT4/MT5 charting.
ActivTrades offers access to 10 exchanges, more than ACY's 5.
ActivTrades offers commission-free standard accounts, lowering ongoing costs.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| N/A |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | ASIC FSA Seychelles |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker