Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs CFI
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  CFI |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, FCA |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | 66% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | No deposit fees |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | MT5, TradingView, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0).
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Key differences
- CFI scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers SCB, CMVM, FSC.
- Regulators: only CFI offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Bonds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only CFI offers MT5, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
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.
CFI
CFI suits traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex on a commission-free model commission free, with a minimum deposit of $0 and a Cyprus entity licensed by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA. Note that 66% of retail accounts lose money, and protection under the EU scheme is limited.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | CFI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 9.6Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.6 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.4 |
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | CFI |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 490 | 34 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 12 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 10 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 1 of 122 | 11 of 122 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ActivTrades | CFI |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ActivTrades | CFI |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Where these facts come from
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
CFI
- media.cfifinancial.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- dailyforex.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forex.wikibit.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investinglive.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | CFI |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1998 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | CFI | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | 66%below the median | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.4% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
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
CFI
Pros
- No minimum deposit, at $0, and No deposit fees, so funding does not cost a fee and the account can open at any size.
- Regulated on both sides of Europe: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA, with the Cyprus entity named as Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex rather than forcing separate apps per asset class.
Cons
- Protection caps out at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 on the Cyprus entity, so balances above that sit outside the scheme.
- 66% of retail accounts lose money, which is the risk that matters most for anyone sizing a position.
- Leverage sits alongside shares and ETFs in stocks, etfs and forex, so a single account mixes instruments with very different risk levels.
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
CFI
Who it suits
- People who want stocks, etfs and forex held in one place instead of several broker accounts.
- Traders who prefer the commission-free model commission free and a minimum deposit of $0 over a larger entry threshold.
- Savers who want a Cyprus or UK regulated option, given Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA and the Cyprus licence 179/12.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a wider asset list, since stocks, etfs and forex runs to futures as well and CFI's list is stocks, etfs and forex.
- EU traders who want a rival with a low entry point, such as XTB at €0.
- Traders put off by losses in the retail book, where 66% lose money and the median here is 70.15%.
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.
CFI
What is the minimum deposit to open a CFI account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened at any size and a first deposit does not have to clear a threshold. For comparison, Vantage lists $5 and XTB €0. The median minimum across the brands ranked is €4.64, and the highest reaches €26,308.87. CFI places 1 of 213 on that measure.
Does CFI charge commission on trades?+
CFI trades on a commission-free model, commission free, so positions are opened without a per-trade commission charge. The cost of a trade therefore sits in the spread and the market rather than in a commission line. Commission-free models are common in the field, appearing for 69.8% of the brands compared. Low-fee models sit alongside them at 40.5%.
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