In this comparison, ActivTrades and XTB compete on regulation, platform capabilities, and stock access. The tension centers on cost models, ownership of shares, and exchange coverage.
XTB tops ActivTrades on editorial score 4.3 vs 3.7, aided by broader platform tools and more exchange coverage.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you value direct phone support and no commission on standard accounts. It covers 10 exchanges compared with XTB’s 16, which may affect international access.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want real share ownership with dividend entitlement and more than 5,800 real stocks and ETFs under a commission-free cap.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
XTB offers commission-free stock trades up to EUR 100K per month.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and XTB rates 4.1/5. XTB 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 starts from 0.5. Current spread data is not available for XTB. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ActivTrades requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for XTB.
Both ActivTrades and XTB 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 XTB lists up to 1:5. 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 XTB supports xStation 5. ActivTrades has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and ActivTrader. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB 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 XTB 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 earns higher insurance coverage up to GBP 1,000,000 per client.
XTB provides real share ownership with dividends for long-term holding.
XTB offers advanced platform tools including stock screener and calendar.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | xStation 5 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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