ActivTrades vs Admirals Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ActivTrades and Admirals across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades offers share CFDs on 600+ global stocks via ActivTrader and MT4 under FCA regulation with supplemental client fund insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 - a regulated European broker with above-standard fund protection for equity CFD traders.
Admirals offers share CFDs and real stocks on 4,500+ equities via MT4, MT5, and Invest.MT5 under FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulation - combining professional MetaTrader CFD trading with real share ownership for buy-and-hold investors.
Admirals edges ahead with a score of 4/5 vs ActivTrades's 3.7/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Admirals offers commission-free trading while ActivTrades does not, making Admirals the more cost-effective choice for frequent stock traders.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Admirals has the edge for active traders: commission-free trading, advanced charting.
Admirals edges out ActivTrades with a higher editorial score (4/5 vs 3.7/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new stock investors.
Long-term investing feature data (fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, IPO access) is not yet available for this pair.
ActivTrades vs Admirals: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
| Fractional shares | No | No |
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
| Extended hours | No | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FCA ASIC CySEC KNF |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Visit broker | Visit ActivTrades | Visit Admirals |
ActivTrades vs Admirals Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- Supplemental private insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client - above FSCS standard limit
- FCA regulated with ActivTrader volatility protection for equity CFD risk management
- 600+ share CFDs across ActivTrader and MT4 with no minimum deposit
- No commission on standard accounts; no inactivity fee
- Stock range (600+) narrower than CMC, IG, or Saxo
- Share CFDs only - no real ownership, ISA, SIPP, or dividend entitlement
- Platform analytics below CMC Next Generation or xStation 5 for equity research
- Less well-known outside Europe - limited Asian and US market coverage
- Real share ownership via Invest.MT5 at zero commission alongside leveraged share CFDs
- 4,500+ stocks and ETFs across MT4 and MT5 with MetaTrader Supreme Edition
- FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulated - strong multi-jurisdictional profile
- No minimum deposit on standard accounts; FSCS protection for UK clients
- Invest.MT5 (real shares) and CFD account are separate products - no unified view
- No ISA or SIPP tax wrapper available
- MetaTrader only - no proprietary trading platform beyond the Supreme Edition plugin
- Inactivity fee applies on Invest.MT5 accounts after dormancy
ActivTrades vs Admirals: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs Admirals: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Admirals ranks higher with a score of 4/5 vs 3.7/5 for ActivTrades. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Admirals offers commission-free stock trading while ActivTrades does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can significantly reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both ActivTrades and Admirals hold top-tier regulatory licences, indicating a high standard of investor protection. Confirm each broker's specific regulatory bodies and compensation scheme coverage to ensure they apply in your jurisdiction.
Both ActivTrades and Admirals require a minimum deposit of no minimum to open a live trading account.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader and Admirals offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Platform availability affects the tools, charting, and order types available to you. If you rely on a specific platform like MetaTrader or a proprietary web app, confirm compatibility before opening an account.
For beginners: Admirals has a higher overall editorial score. Also compare educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of each broker's platform before deciding.
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