Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs BUX
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  BUX |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0 | €3.99 |
| Account fee | $0 | €2.99 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%Lower | 0.75% |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | BUX app |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%Higher | 2% |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.6.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only BUX offers Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
- Currency conversion fee is lower at ActivTrades: 0.5% vs 0.75%.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only BUX offers BUX app.
- Interest on cash is higher at ActivTrades: 3.3% vs 2%.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Demo account.
- Pricing model: only ActivTrades offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
ActivTrades
ActivTrades suits active share and CFD traders who want broad market access with commission free dealing and flexible platform choice for everyday orders. Minimum deposit sits at $0, stock trade fee sits at $0 and retail accounts that lose money sit at 84%, so careful risk controls remain essential.
BUX
BUX suits investors who want a Dutch broker for stocks and ETFs and accept a set fee per trade. It charges an account fee of €2.99 and a stock trade fee of €3.99, which is why the offer score sits at 2.1 and the overall score at 2.1.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | BUX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 8.4 |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 8.7 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 8.7 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ActivTrades | BUX |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 203 of 471 |
If neither fits
Nexo has interest on cash at 13%, against 3.3% for ActivTrades and 2% for BUX.
Nexo reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | BUX |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | BUX B.V. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Netherlands |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | BUX | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | 0.75%highest quarter | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | 2%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
ActivTrades
Pros
- Stock trade fee sits at $0 for share dealing under commission free
- Minimum deposit sits at $0, below eToro at $50
- Funding terms read Free deposits and withdrawals for deposits and withdrawals
Cons
- Retail accounts that lose money sit at 84%, above the CFD median at 72.05%
- Currency conversion on funding costs 0.5% for balances held in other currencies
- Cash interest sits at 3.3%, which limits appeal for cash heavy portfolios
BUX
Pros
- Fees follow a low-fee model: a stock trade fee of €3.99 per trade, an account fee of €2.99 and a currency exchange fee of 0.75%.
- Regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), with money held under the EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- Aimed at both beginners and experienced investors, with fractional shares and a mobile app listed in fractional shares and mobile app.
Cons
- The account fee of €2.99 applies on top of a stock trade fee of €3.99, so frequent trading costs add up.
- On stock trade fee it ranks 136 of 161, so cheaper share dealing sits elsewhere.
- Markets are limited to stocks and etfs, where CFI offers stocks, etfs and forex.
Who each suits
ActivTrades
Who it suits
- New traders starting modestly with entry at $0 and practice via crypto, demo account and fractional shares
- Share traders wanting dealing at $0 across stocks, ETFs and forex with platform choice
- CFD traders wanting structured support via email, chat and phone where funding reads Free deposits and withdrawals
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders wanting crypto led dealing with very low cash entry may prefer Kraken at $1
- Traders wanting social and copy features may prefer eToro despite higher entry at $50
BUX
Who it suits
- Investors who want a regulated European broker covering stocks and etfs at a flat fee per trade.
- People who prefer mobile investing, since fractional shares and mobile app includes fractional shares and a mobile app.
- Readers who weigh protection first, since money sits under the EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 at a broker regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want forex, contracts for difference or crypto, since CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and BUX covers stocks and etfs.
- Share dealing fans after a free stock trade fee, since eToro lists $0 against the €3.99 here.
- Anyone put off by a standing charge, given the account fee of €2.99 where Vantage lists $0.
Questions about each
ActivTrades
What does ActivTrades charge for stock trades?+
Stock trade fee sits at $0 for share dealing. The pricing model is described by commission free, which helps keep ticket costs predictable for equity orders. Spreads and conversion charges can still apply on leveraged trades, so review order previews and statements before dealing.
Is ActivTrades regulated and safe?+
Oversight comes via FCA, SCB and CMVM, including FCA cover alongside other regional entities. Eligible balances carry protection at FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Protection applies under scheme rules and by entity, so confirm which entity serves your account during signup and keep account records.
BUX
How much does it cost to buy a share at BUX?+
A stock trade costs €3.99 per trade under a low-fee model, and a currency exchange fee of 0.75% applies on currency conversions. Because the trade fee is a flat amount rather than a percentage, the cost does not grow with the size of the order. A flat account fee of €2.99 also applies to the account.
Is there an account or inactivity fee?+
There is an account fee of €2.99, charged on the account regardless of how much it holds. That is a flat charge rather than a percentage, so it does not rise as the portfolio grows. BUX ranks 108 of 138 on this line, which places it towards the expensive end of the brands compared here.
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