Two brokers compete on stock coverage, regulation, and platform choices. ActivTrades leans on protection and FCA oversight, while FXOpen emphasizes ECN execution and multi platform access.
ActivTrades and FXOpen are closely matched overall, but ActivTrades provides 24/5 live chat that FXOpen lacks.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want a $0 minimum deposit and 24/5 live chat support.
Choose FXOpen if…
Choose FXOpen if you want leverage up to 500:1 and ECN/STP stock execution across MT4, MT5 and cTrader.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades offers FCA regulation with additional GBP 1,000,000 private insurance per client.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $3/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | FXOpen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 FXOpen 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.
FXOpen 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 FXOpen requires at least $100. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and FXOpen 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 FXOpen 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.
FXOpen charges $3 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 FXOpen supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. FXOpen has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5.
Neither ActivTrades nor FXOpen 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.
Both ActivTrades and FXOpen 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.
FXOpen wins for active trading thanks to high leverage and ECN/STP execution.
ActivTrades is better for beginners due to $0 minimum deposit and no inactivity fee.
ActivTrades has broader access with 10 exchanges versus FXOpen's 5.
ActivTrades wins for low-cost trading due to $0 min deposit and no commission on standard accounts.
Equally matched for long-term investing since neither provides real ownership, dividends, or fractional shares.
| N/A |
| 0.3 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto |
|---|
| 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 | FCA ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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