Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs EC Markets
Where ActivTrades and EC Markets differ
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets 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 | 1:1000 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only EC Markets offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Bonds.
- Markets: only EC Markets offers Metals.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, TradingView.
- Platforms: only EC Markets offers EC Markets App.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Demo account, 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.
EC Markets
EC Markets suits active traders who want retail leverage of 1:1000 across forex, CFDs, stocks and crypto in one account. The US entity behind the brand, RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC, sits under SIPC up to USD 500,000, so the safety side is easier to check than with an offshore-only broker.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.0The $10 minimum deposit sits below the €4.64 site median, so the cost of opening an account is low. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.5 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 8.6 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ActivTrades | EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ActivTrades | EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
What we checked
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
EC Markets
- ecmarkets.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 138 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 58 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 56 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 1 of 122 | 47 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | EC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $10below the median | $25 |
| 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 | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 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
EC Markets
Pros
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex, so you are not locked into a single asset class.
- You can trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App, with the mobile app listed under mobile app.
Cons
- Retail leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses, and on the site's forex list 72.13% of retail accounts lose money.
- The $10 entry point sits above CFI's $0 and Vantage's $5, so the cheapest way in is elsewhere.
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
EC Markets
Who it suits
- Active traders who want 1:1000 retail leverage on forex and CFDs
- US-based investors who want protection stated at SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Newcomers who can start at $10 and learn on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, if you want to open an account with no minimum at $0
- Vantage, if the entry deposit matters more than the market list, since it starts at $5
- eToro, if you trade futures, which its market list stocks, etfs and forex covers
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.
EC Markets
What is the minimum deposit at EC Markets?+
The minimum deposit is $10 to fund an account. That sits above the €4.64 site median, so it is a low entry point rather than the lowest one available. Anyone starting small should confirm which account the deposit applies to before adding funds.
Is money held at EC Markets protected?+
Protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000, under the SIPC scheme named in the brand's licences. That figure is the scheme's stated ceiling rather than a promise of returns, and the scheme's own terms set the conditions, so read them before depositing.
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