ActivTrades Review (2026)
Follow research updates for ActivTrades →ActivTrader, MetaTrader and TradingView, with separate UK and EU account terms.
Licences: FCA, CMVM — the exact entity (and protection) depends on your country. See licence evidence ↓
The FCA prohibits the sale of cryptoasset derivatives to retail clients in the UK (COBS 22.6). Cryptocurrencies are high-risk and highly volatile; you could lose all the money you invest.
The 60-second verdict
ActivTrades scores 69/100 on our method. Traders comparing ActivTrader, MetaTrader and TradingView who will check the company, product and cost schedule for their own account.
Who ActivTrades may suit
Traders comparing ActivTrader, MetaTrader and TradingView who will check the company, product and cost schedule for their own account.
Not ideal for
Anyone requiring one worldwide account specification or treating a starting spread as the full trading cost.
Score breakdown
Affiliate commission is weighted 0% and never affects this score.
Document-based editorial assessment of the published UK and EU forex/CFD offerings under Clarytrade's existing eight criteria. The marks are editorial judgments, not measured execution, withdrawal or support results. The referral's contracting company is not mapped to every country; group permissions and regional terms are not automatically assigned to an applicant. Affiliate revenue has no weight. Separate app and experience-fit figures assess documented mobile functions, account/product complexity and platform flexibility; they are not app-store ratings. The cost band is an editorial comparison with financing and payment gaps, not a measured average fee.
Regulation & safety · 75/100
The UK firm and FCA number have regulator-authored evidence, while the EU company is documented separately and its CMVM number remains pending first-hand confirmation. EU segregation and UK/EU retail negative-balance statements add useful account documentation. Unconfirmed campaign company routing and compensation scope limit how far those findings can be extended to a visitor.
- FSA final notice, 15 March 2011; read 26 October 2026
- UK website and account disclosures, read 20 October 2026
- EU website and product disclosures, read 20 October 2026
- EU client-funds disclosure, read 26 October 2026
- UK individual account, read 20 October 2026
- EU individual account, refreshed 26 October 2026
Fees & all-in cost · 65/100
Published starting forex spreads and commission explanations give an initial pricing view, and regional funding pages identify payment and conversion conditions. They do not provide a complete comparable EUR/USD all-in quote: financing, inactivity and the scope of certain commission and withdrawal exceptions still need confirmation. The fee assessment therefore remains below profiles with a fully usable account-cost schedule.
Platform & app quality · 80/100
ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4/5 and TradingView are documented, with demo access and web/mobile workflows. ActivTrader describes charting, hedging and trailing-stop features. This supports a broad platform assessment without claiming tested usability, reliability, execution speed or fill quality; third-party subscription costs may be separate.
Asset coverage · 75/100
The regional sites describe forex and multiple CFD classes, including indices, commodities, shares, ETFs and bonds. Product access differs by account and country, and no exact instrument inventory has been verified. EU crypto derivatives do not establish UK retail availability: the FCA prohibits their sale to UK retail clients. Derivative exposure does not imply ownership of an underlying asset.
Deposits & withdrawals · 65/100
UK and EU funding pages document bank, card and other payment choices, while Help Center pages distinguish broker processing from later bank arrival. Minimum-deposit exceptions, conversion costs, same-name checks and payment-method conditions prevent a universal free-or-instant claim. This is a document-based funding assessment; no deposit or withdrawal was tested.
Customer support · 60/100
The EU contact page publishes phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp and callback access, with 24/7 availability. These are documented ways to contact the company, not measured responsiveness, resolution quality or a promise that every language and channel is continuously staffed.
Reputation & complaints · 50/100
A regulator-authored 2011 notice records historical client-money control failings and a financial penalty. It also records no resulting client losses, cooperation and significant remedial work. That mixed evidence informs the assessment without alleging current misconduct. A representative current complaint-resolution record has not been established; a missing sample is not a clean-record finding.
Transparency · 65/100
Separate regional account and funding pages make currencies, product limits and some fees available before application. Generic Help Center material still leaves minimum-deposit exceptions, financing and certain payment fees unresolved for an exact account. Explicitly keeping those limits and company distinctions visible supports an intermediate transparency assessment.
Assessment dated 2026-10-26. Read the scoring method. Account terms and country eligibility require a separate check.
Regulation & legal entities
The UK website names Activtrades Plc and FCA 434413. The EU website names ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento, S.A. and CMVM 433; the licence number remains pending direct regulator confirmation. These are separate companies. The referral's company allocation has not been confirmed country by country, and a group licence does not determine your account terms.
| Regulators | FCA — United Kingdom, licence 434413 (Tier 1)Verified on registerchecked 2026-10-26 CMVM — Portugal, licence 433 (Tier 2)Pending — verifychecked 2026-10-26 |
| Segregated client fundsSegregated fundsClient money held in bank accounts kept separate from the broker's own funds, so it isn't used to run the business and is easier to return if the firm fails. | The EU client-funds page says client accounts are segregated from company funds (read 26 October 2026). This is a broker statement, not our inspection of banking arrangements. Confirm the client-money terms of the company on your agreement; another branch's terms are not established here. |
| Accepts clients from | Restrictions apply to citizens or residents of the partner's listed countries; Italy is also excluded from this campaign. A residence selector cannot establish citizenship eligibility. Do not apply through this referral if either restriction applies. Other applicants must confirm acceptance and the contracting company during the application; no worldwide acceptance is claimed. |
| Compensation scheme | Compensation eligibility and limits must be checked for the contracting company and client classification. The referral does not establish that a particular UK or EU scheme applies to your account; no group-wide compensation cover is asserted. |
| Negative-balance protectionNegative-balance protectionA safeguard that stops your account going below zero, so you can't end up owing the broker more than you deposited. Mandatory for retail clients in some regions. | The UK and EU individual-account pages describe negative-balance protection for retail clients. This does not establish the terms of professional accounts or other branches. Confirm your classification and the applicable agreement. |
Source: our licence-evidence log — status shown per licenceConfirm licence numbers on the official register before depositing.
Is ActivTrades regulated? Full register check, entity by entity →
- 2011-03-15 · FSA (UK; historical): The FSA imposed an £85,750 penalty for client-money control failings in 2009–2010. Its notice records no resulting client losses, cooperation and significant remedial work. This is a historical finding, not an allegation about current operations. official source
Neutral, sourced notes only — not an accusation. We show documented regulatory history where we have an official source.
Which ActivTrades entity would onboard you?
The brand is not the counterparty — the legal entity on your client agreement sets your regulator, protections and terms. These are the entities we track for this broker.
| Legal entity | Regulator | Typically onboards | Protection notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activtrades Plc United Kingdom | FCA (Tier 1) UK website company. FCA's official notice names Activtrades Plc and FRN 434413; re-read 26 October 2026. The detailed live register permissions did not load. Confirm the company and terms on your application; the affiliate route has not been mapped to this company by country. | Country mapping unconfirmed — check your agreement | No compensation scheme identified |
| ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento, S.A. Portugal (EU) | CMVM (Tier 2) EU website company. CySEC's cross-border register identifies the Portuguese company and CMVM as its authority; re-read 26 October 2026. CMVM number 433 is broker-disclosed and remains pending a first-hand number check. A cross-border listing is not a CySEC licence or confirmation of retail onboarding in every EU country. The affiliate route's company mapping remains unconfirmed. | Country mapping unconfirmed — check your agreement | No compensation scheme identified |
See which entity likely applies to your country with the entity checker — and always confirm the entity named on your client agreement at signup.
Fees & spreads
| Advertised starting spreadSpreadThe gap between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) price. It's a core trading cost — tighter spreads are cheaper for you. | N/A |
| CommissionCommissionA flat per-trade fee, common on raw/ECN accounts that show tighter spreads. Always compare spread + commission together as the all-in cost. | Check account and instrument quote |
| Minimum deposit | Check country terms The Help Center states no general activation minimum for UK/EU/global accounts, with a USD250 exception for unspecified countries. This does not establish a zero minimum for every applicant or payment method. Confirm the country and method requirement before funding. |
| Inactivity fee | Not established for the applicable account; confirm the current fee schedule |
| All-in cost index | $$$·· (3/5) |
Regional sites advertise forex spreads from 0.5 pips, not a verified EUR/USD average or complete all-in price. The Help Center describes no commission for most products but lists exceptions. Confirm the instrument, account and platform schedule, overnight financing and any access charges. The EU funding page states 0.5% conversion for deposits or withdrawals in a different currency from the account base; that is not a UK fee finding.
Our full read
ActivTrades has separate UK and EU account documentation. The company on the agreement matters: its account currencies, funding options and other terms should be checked before comparing costs. This review uses regional broker pages read on 20 October 2026, FCA cryptocurrency guidance read on 23 October, and the regulator evidence rechecked on 26 October. It is document research; Clarytrade has not opened a funded account, measured execution or tested a withdrawal.
Match the regional account before comparing its features
The UK Individual Account page and EU Individual Account page list different account currencies. Both regional websites name ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingView, but a platform name does not establish identical instruments, subscriptions or account terms.
| Regional page | Named company | Individual Account currencies |
|---|---|---|
| UK | ActivTrades PLC | EUR, USD, GBP, SEK, CHF |
| EU | ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento, S.A. | EUR, USD, SEK, CHF |
The absence of GBP from the researched EU currency list should not be replaced with the UK list. Both Individual Account pages state a negative-balance provision for retail clients; confirm the conditions in the relevant company's agreement. This does not establish an entitlement under a compensation scheme, or the company that a particular referral will use.
The commission help article describes ActivTrader, MT4 and MT5 as free for live and demo accounts. TradingView subscription conditions and any special market-data charges need separate confirmation. Platform access being free does not make trading free.
Starting spreads are not an all-in trading cost
The UK website and EU website advertise forex spreads from 0.5 pips. This is an indicative starting figure, not a measured EUR/USD average, a live quote or a spread available on every instrument and account. Generic commission help describes most products as having no trading commission, but entity-specific exceptions still need checking in the instrument schedule.
Spreads, overnight financing, currency conversion and other charges can remain even where there is no separate trading commission. We have not assigned a universal round-turn cost from the starting-spread headline. The spread-versus-commission guide explains which inputs are needed for a like-for-like calculation.
The EU funding page states a 0.5% conversion fee when depositing or withdrawing in a currency different from the account base currency. This finding is scoped to that EU page and is not extended to UK accounts. Current entity-specific inactivity charges, overnight-financing rates and their triggers remain unconfirmed in this review.
Check the minimum for your country and payment method
The payment help material says there is no minimum to activate an account, but also describes a USD 250 exception in unspecified jurisdictions. We have not established the affected country list. A universal zero-minimum claim would therefore go beyond the evidence; check the amount shown for your account and funding method.
The regional deposit pages also differ:
| Regional source | Listed deposit methods |
|---|---|
| UK funding page | Bank transfer, credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and VOLT |
| EU funding page | Bank transfer, credit/debit card, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and VOLT |
Method availability depends on the country and account; the EU list is not applied to UK accounts. The UK deposit table showed no routine broker charge for the listed methods, with bank charges and exceptional processing-cost recovery still possible. These observations do not establish that every transfer is free.
Withdrawal processing and bank arrival are separate stages
The generic payment and withdrawal help states withdrawal processing within one business day, while bank receipt may take three to five business days. Those statements do not separately identify UK and EU entities. They are broker estimates, not Clarytrade test results or a deadline applicable to every request.
The withdrawal-fee help article says a £9 or equivalent charge may apply to some bank transfers. The researched article does not establish the precise triggers and UK/EU differences. We therefore do not describe that as a universal withdrawal fee, or describe all withdrawals as free. Confirm the method, fee and outstanding verification before submitting a request. Our withdrawal checklist separates account verification, broker processing and payment-provider delay.
Products differ by company and customer category
The UK website names forex CFDs, indices, commodities and stocks alongside spread betting. The FCA prohibits the sale of cryptoasset derivatives to retail clients in the UK (COBS 22.6). Cryptocurrencies are high-risk and highly volatile; you could lose all the money you invest. See the FCA rule and FCA cryptocurrency risk guidance.
The EU website lists CFD categories including forex, stocks, indices, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, commodities and bonds. Instrument availability depends on the account and country; this list does not establish UK retail access. The FCA prohibits the sale of cryptoasset derivatives to retail clients in the UK (COBS 22.6). Cryptocurrencies are high-risk and highly volatile; you could lose all the money you invest. The same FCA rule and risk guidance apply to that distinction. CFDs do not provide ownership of the underlying asset.
What the entity evidence does and does not establish
An FCA-authored notice identifies Activtrades Plc, FRN 434413, as the genuine authorised firm being impersonated. The warning concerns the unrelated clone. The notice was reread on 26 October 2026; the detailed live register permissions did not load in that check.
The CySEC cross-border register identifies ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento, S.A. as a Portuguese company with CMVM as its competent authority. This is not a CySEC investment-firm licence. The broker-disclosed CMVM number 433 remains pending a first-hand number check. These findings do not establish retail acceptance or referral routing in every country.
Historical Luxembourg references are not used as a current EU route. The CSSF notice records that ActivTrades Europe S.A. ceased activities on 1 January 2024 and was removed from the official list on 18 October 2024. That company is distinct from the Portuguese company named on the current EU website.
Before applying, match the actual agreement's company name, account type and terms. A group licence does not automatically apply to every account; the entity checker explains how to keep those findings separate from country availability.
Pros
- ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4/5 and TradingView are documented, with demo access
- Separate UK and EU account and funding information is publicly available
- Published contact channels include phone, email and live chat
Cons
- Country, citizenship and campaign restrictions apply separately from licence records
- Generic fee and minimum-deposit descriptions need confirmation for the exact account
- Broker withdrawal processing time does not establish when a payment reaches you
Products & markets
The FCA prohibits the sale of cryptoasset derivatives to retail clients in the UK (COBS 22.6). Cryptocurrencies are high-risk and highly volatile; you could lose all the money you invest.
Published UK and EU products differ. Shares, ETFs, bonds and other CFD exposure do not confer ownership of underlying assets. The FCA prohibits the sale of cryptoasset derivatives to retail clients in the UK (COBS 22.6). Cryptocurrencies are high-risk and highly volatile; you could lose all the money you invest.
This partner-supplied range covers the UK and EU entities. The study retains the dated disclosure; the warning above follows its effective-date schedule. See how ActivTrades compares in our CFD loss-rate study, with source dates and provenance.
Products shown are offered as CFDs unless otherwise stated. Crypto CFDs do not provide ownership of the underlying cryptoasset. Product availability varies by region.
The FCA prohibits the sale of cryptoasset derivatives to retail clients in the UK (COBS 22.6). Cryptocurrencies are high-risk and highly volatile; you could lose all the money you invest.
Complaints & track record
This document-based review includes the historical 2011 FSA client-money notice, including its no-client-loss and remediation findings. A representative current complaint-resolution record has not been established. We have not tested execution, deposits, withdrawals or support; the score does not predict service outcomes.
ActivTrades — common questions
Is ActivTrades regulated?
The UK website names Activtrades Plc and FCA 434413. The EU website names ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento, S.A. and CMVM 433; the licence number remains pending direct regulator confirmation. These are separate companies. The referral's company allocation has not been confirmed country by country, and a group licence does not determine your account terms.
What is the minimum deposit at ActivTrades?
The Help Center states no general activation minimum for UK/EU/global accounts, with a USD250 exception for unspecified countries. This does not establish a zero minimum for every applicant or payment method. Confirm the country and method requirement before funding.
How long do withdrawals take at ActivTrades?
Typical withdrawal time is 1 business day (processing; broker-stated). Actual speed depends on your payment method and identity verification.
Is ActivTrades good for beginners?
ActivTrades is better suited to traders with some experience (beginner score 55/100). Beginners may prefer a simpler, lower-risk platform.
How does Clarytrade make money from this review?
If you open an account through our link, ActivTrades pays us a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect our score — commission is weighted 0% in our method.
Which currencies can an ActivTrades account use?
The UK individual-account page lists EUR, USD, GBP, SEK and CHF. The EU page lists EUR, USD, SEK and CHF; GBP was not listed there. These regional pages were read on 20 October 2026, with the EU page refreshed on 26 October. Confirm the options on the actual application.
How long does an ActivTrades withdrawal take?
The Help Center describes processing within one business day, with bank arrival taking three to five business days. Processing and receipt are different stages, and the Help Center wording is not an entity-specific promise. Verification, payment method and bank timing can affect a particular request; we have not tested withdrawals.
Are ActivTrades withdrawals free?
The Help Center generally describes no withdrawal charge but mentions a GBP9-equivalent exception for some bank transfers without establishing its exact trigger in our review. Confirm the charge for your method and account. EU currency conversion can add 0.5% when the payment currency differs from the account base; payment providers may charge separately.
Does the referral support every country?
No. The partner supplied restrictions covering citizens or residents, and Italy has a separate campaign exclusion. A residence selector cannot establish citizenship eligibility. Being outside a listed restriction is not a complete acceptance guarantee or confirmation of the legal company; confirm both on the application.
Can UK retail clients trade crypto derivatives with ActivTrades?
The FCA prohibits the sale of cryptoasset derivatives to retail clients in the UK (COBS 22.6). Cryptocurrencies are high-risk and highly volatile; you could lose all the money you invest. Crypto products shown on the EU site must not be presented as available to UK retail clients. Availability for other applicants depends on country, classification and contracting company.
Has Clarytrade tested execution, withdrawals or support?
No. This review uses dated official product pages, partner instructions and regulator-authored evidence. The score is an editorial assessment under our existing methodology; it is not a test result or a prediction of returns, account acceptance or withdrawal success.
This is a research-based review. We use published broker information, regulatory registers, pricing disclosures and platform documentation, scored against our published 8-criteria method— we don't claim live account testing unless stated. Figures are indicative; verify current terms with ActivTrades before depositing. We earn a commission if you open an account through our links — at no extra cost to you. It does not change our rankings. How we make money.
We earn a commission if you open an account through our links — at no extra cost to you. It does not change our rankings. How we make money.
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