Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs InvestEngine
ActivTrades vs InvestEngine: the differences
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  InvestEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | £100 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Account fee | $0 | £0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, BondsCovers more | ETFs |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACENCovers more | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Free |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Web, iOS, Android |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%Higher | 0% |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | ISA, SIPP, Corporate |
Same on both: Investor protection (FSCS up to GBP 85,000).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers SCB, CMVM, FSC.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Stocks, Forex, CFDs.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only InvestEngine offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Interest on cash is higher at ActivTrades: 3.3% vs 0%.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Demo account.
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.
InvestEngine
InvestEngine suits beginners who want their money spread across ETFs without picking shares themselves. Costs stay thin: an account fee of £0, a stock trade fee of £0 and a single portfolio management charge of 0.25%, with deposits and withdrawals free.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | InvestEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.0 |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 8.8The isa, sipp and corporate account range wraps one ETF plan for savers and firms alike. |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 8.4 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | ActivTrades | InvestEngine |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | InvestEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 195 of 471 |
Also worth a look
Nexo has interest on cash at 13%, against 3.3% for ActivTrades and 0% for InvestEngine.
Nexo reviewWhere these facts come from
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
InvestEngine
- investengine.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- blog.investengine.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.investengine.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | InvestEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | InvestEngine (UK) Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2019 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | ActivTrades | InvestEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0.25% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | £1 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | InvestEngine | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 47 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
InvestEngine
Pros
- An account fee of £0 and a stock trade fee of £0 leave almost nothing to pay for holding or trading.
- Investor protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000, with the platform regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
- The platform list covers Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares make small regular buys work.
Cons
- Shares are not among its markets (etfs), so the range stays on funds rather than a general dealing list.
- Support runs on email and help centre, with no phone number for urgent account questions.
- Cash waiting to be invested earns 0%.
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
InvestEngine
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a curated portfolio and can start from a minimum investment of £1.
- ISA and SIPP holders in the UK who would rather not pay an account fee.
- Investors who only need help by email and are happy to stay inside a single asset class.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, for anyone who wants to open with a minimum deposit of $0 rather than £100.
- Vantage, for anyone who wants a smaller entry point, since its minimum deposit is $5.
- eToro, for traders who want share dealing, because shares are not among its markets (etfs).
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | InvestEngine |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
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.
InvestEngine
What does it cost to hold an InvestEngine account?+
The account fee is £0 and a stock trade costs £0, so buying and holding leaves most of the pot intact. The only ongoing charge is the portfolio management fee of 0.25%, which is taken on the portfolio rather than per trade. Cash left uninvested earns 0%.
Is my money protected if the platform fails?+
The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator named on the licence, and the platform states investor protection of FSCS up to GBP 85,000. The account is run by InvestEngine (UK) Limited, a UK company, so UK rules and the protection scheme both apply to the account.
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