Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs EBC Financial Group
Where ActivTrades and EBC Financial Group differ
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $50 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | MT4, MT5, EBC mobile app |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:500 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Investor protection (FSCS up to GBP 85,000).
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only EBC Financial Group offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $50.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Bonds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only EBC Financial Group offers MT4, MT5, EBC mobile app.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
- Features: only EBC Financial Group offers Copy trading.
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.
EBC Financial Group
EBC Financial Group suits UK traders who want a single account covering forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs and crypto, held with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 8.7Entry amount of $50 against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage, with retail leverage up to 1:500. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.4 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.1 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | ActivTrades | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority 927552 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ActivTrades | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 490 | 16 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 6 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 6 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 1 of 122 | 6 of 122 |
What each covers
| Markets | ActivTrades | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Sources behind this comparison
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
EBC Financial Group
- ebcfin.co.uk: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wikifx.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fastbull.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forex.wikibit.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1994 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | EBC Financial Group | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $50above 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 | Not confirmed | 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
EBC Financial Group
Pros
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under licence 927552
- One account covers stocks, etfs and forex without needing a second firm
- Platforms in MT4, MT5 and EBC mobile app cover both MetaTrader terminals plus the EBC mobile app
Cons
- Retail leverage runs to 1:500, so a modest balance can be lost quickly
- The entry amount of $50 is above $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage
- Bonds, funds and futures are not among its 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
EBC Financial Group
Who it suits
- UK residents who want an account with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Traders who want forex, CFDs and crypto handled in the same place
- Copy trading users, since demo account, copy trading and mobile app lists it
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is $0, if you want a smaller starting balance
- Vantage, at $5, is another option for a lighter entry
- eToro, whose markets reach stocks, etfs and forex, for anyone also wanting bonds, funds or futures
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.
EBC Financial Group
How much do I need to deposit to start?+
The minimum deposit is $50. For comparison, CFI lists $0 and Vantage lists $5, and the median minimum deposit across brands on the site is €4.64. That sits at the higher end of the field, so check it against the balance you intend to hold.
Is my money protected if something goes wrong?+
Yes. EBC Financial Group is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and holds licence 927552. Eligible deposits are covered to the limit stated in the FSCS up to GBP 85,000 scheme, and that protection sits with the regulated entity rather than the brand name.
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