Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs IG
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  IG |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Spread betting |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | 69% |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Mobile trading, L2 Dealer, ProRealTime, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%Higher | 2.5% |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- IG scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only IG offers Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), SIPC.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Bonds.
- Markets: only IG offers Options, Futures, Spread betting.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader.
- Platforms: only IG offers Mobile trading, L2 Dealer, ProRealTime.
- Interest on cash is higher at ActivTrades: 3.3% vs 2.5%.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto.
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.
IG
IG suits traders who want shares, ETFs, forex, contracts for difference, options, futures, crypto and spread betting under a single roof, with an account fee of €0 and cash interest of 2.5% on uninvested balances. Share dealing runs commission-free, while the retail loss rate is 69%.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.3 |
| Offer | 9.6Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.6Commission-free share dealing, a stock trade fee of £0, an account fee of €0 and cash interest of 2.5%. |
| Trust | 9.5Oversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.5 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ActivTrades | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Not confirmed | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) MiCA CASP 213800HFC5G4V293BN91 |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | ActivTrades | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 490 | 39 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 15 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 13 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 1 of 122 | 12 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | IG Europe GmbH |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Germany |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | IG | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | 69%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 | 2.5%below the median | 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
IG
Pros
- Markets list stocks, etfs and forex, so shares, ETFs, forex, contracts for difference, options, futures, crypto and spread betting sit together.
- Regulated by Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and SIPC, with client protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- Platform choice runs Mobile trading, L2 Dealer and ProRealTime.
Cons
- Retail accounts that lose money come to 69%.
- The commission-free model in commission free applies to share dealing, and it does not extend to trading costs on forex, contracts for difference, options or futures.
- Accounts sit with IG Europe GmbH in Germany, so compensation stops at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
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
IG
Who it suits
- Traders who want stocks, etfs and forex reachable from the same account rather than several platforms.
- Share buyers who want dealing on a commission-free basis, since commission free covers their trades.
- EU clients who weight regulation and compensation, given Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and SIPC and EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a platform built around share dealing and crypto alone should compare CFI, whose stocks, etfs and forex is a shorter, simpler list.
- Investors priced in dollars rather than euros should weigh eToro, where the stock trade fee is $0.
- Anyone weighing only the account charge should know Vantage lists $0, so IG's €0 is not the only way to hold an account cheaply.
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.
IG
What does it cost to trade shares with IG?+
Share dealing runs on a commission-free model, with a stock trade fee of £0 and an account fee of €0. Those are the two figures that matter for holding and trading, and both sit at the floor of the site tables. Trading costs on forex, contracts for difference, options and futures are quoted apart from share dealing.
Who regulates IG and is my money protected?+
The regulators are Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and SIPC, and the licences listed are MiCA CASP 213800HFC5G4V293BN91 and SIPC member 71021. Client protection in the EU is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, so a claim against the firm is covered only up to that ceiling. Any balance above the cap is your own exposure.
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