Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs CapTrader
ActivTrades vs CapTrader: the differences
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $2,000 |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $2 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | €2 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Account fee ($0).
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $2,000.
- Stock trade fee is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $2.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Options, Futures, Funds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto.
- Pricing model: only ActivTrades offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
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.
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.2 |
| Trust | 9.5Oversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 490 | 17 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 7 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 7 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 1 of 122 | 7 of 122 |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
ActivTrades
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
CapTrader
$96
48 × $2 + 1 × $0
ActivTrades costs $96 less.
Excludes currency conversion fee (not stated by CapTrader). Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 28, 2026.
Choosing between them
Pick ActivTrades if cost, offer, minimum deposit, and stock trade fee matter most.
Pick CapTrader if markets matter most.
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | CapTrader | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $2,000highest quarter | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $2highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.4% |
Median across 99 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
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
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
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
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.
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
Other options to compare
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