This matchup weighs regulation, pricing, and platform tools against access to global stock exchanges. The clash centers on exchange reach and research features.
ActivTrades and Capital.com are closely matched, but Capital.com differentiates itself with broader exchange coverage (25 vs 10) for global stock access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you value direct phone support and extra client fund protection beyond the standard FSCS limit.
Choose Capital.com if…
Choose Capital.com if you want access to 25 exchanges and AI trading insights with a commission-free model.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Equally matched; both offer no commission on standard accounts.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $20 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and Capital.com rates 3.9/5. Capital.com 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 lists tighter spreads from 0.5, compared with Capital.com's 0.6. 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 Capital.com requires at least $20. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and Capital.com 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 Capital.com lists up to 20:1. 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 Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ActivTrades has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and ActivTrader. Capital.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Capital.com offers commission-free stock trading while ActivTrades does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both ActivTrades and Capital.com are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
Capital.com has broader regulator coverage including FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS, CMA.
Capital.com wins due to AI insights and broader exchange access.
ActivTrades is better for beginners thanks to zero minimum deposit and fund protection.
Capital.com offers broader reach with 25 exchanges versus ActivTrades' 10.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend entitlement.
| Deposit fee |
|---|
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPalApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| 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 MAS ASIC CySEC CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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