In this comparison, ActivTrades and FXTM face off across regulation, platform choice, and market access. The tension centers on how each broker balances cost, research tools, and global reach.
ActivTrades and FXTM are closely matched overall. ActivTrades provides a proprietary platform and broader exchange access, while FXTM emphasizes dual regulation and multilingual support.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you prefer a proprietary platform and access to 10 exchanges.
Choose FXTM if…
Choose FXTM if you prefer regulation breadth across CySEC and FCA and MT4/MT5 access.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
FXTM offers strong dual-jurisdiction protection via CySEC and FCA.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1.5 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
ActivTrades and FXTM share the same editorial score of 3.7/5. One concrete differentiator: ActivTrades has tighter spreads from 0.5 pips.
ActivTrades lists tighter spreads from 0.5, compared with FXTM's 1.5. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Neither ActivTrades nor FXTM requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and FXTM 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 20:1, while FXTM 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 FXTM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. FXTM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Neither ActivTrades nor FXTM 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 FXTM 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.
ActivTrades offers a proprietary platform appealing to active traders.
FXTM provides multilingual support to help beginners.
ActivTrades offers broader global exchange access.
ActivTrades charges no commission on standard accounts.
Equally matched for long-term investing as both offer share CFDs only.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| 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 FSCA CySEC FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
Score 3.7 / 5
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