This matchup pits FCA-regulated ActivTrades against CySEC-regulated Windsor Brokers, weighing platform breadth and market access against regional coverage and research offerings.
ActivTrades beats Windsor Brokers on editorial score, aided by broader exchange access and stronger category scores.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you value 24/5 live chat support.
Choose Windsor Brokers if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want access to 10 stock exchanges and a proprietary platform. Choose Windsor Brokers if you value CySEC regulation with ICF compensation up to EUR 20,000. Choose Windsor Brokers if you value a long 35+ year operating history.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades wins for safety and regulation with FCA oversight and multiple regulator registrations.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Windsor Brokers rates 3.4/5. 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.
Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 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 Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Neither ActivTrades nor Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers 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 wins for active traders thanks to a proprietary platform and wider exchange access.
ActivTrades wins for beginners with zero minimum deposit and accessible support.
ActivTrades wins for global access with 10 exchanges, more than Windsor's 5.
ActivTrades wins for low cost trading because standard accounts carry no commission and there is no inactivity fee.
Windsor Brokers wins for long-term investors with a 35+ year track record.
| N/A |
| 0.8 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| 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 | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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