Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Lightyear
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | 0.35%Lower |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Free bank transfers in and out |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%Higher | 2.42% |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | Corporate |
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only Lightyear offers Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA).
- Stock trade fee is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $1.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Lightyear: 0.35% vs 0.5%.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Forex, CFDs.
- Markets: only Lightyear offers Funds.
- Interest on cash is higher at ActivTrades: 3.3% vs 2.42%.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Demo account, Mobile app.
- Pricing model: only ActivTrades offers Commission free.
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.
Lightyear
Lightyear suits you if you want stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto in a place with clear upkeep costs and email based help. Your stock trades cost $1, account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0 while cover reaches EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.1Upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 with trades at $1 |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 8.8Covers stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares and crypto access for varied plans |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 8.7Cover through EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 alongside Estonian supervision for reassurance |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | ActivTrades | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia | Not confirmed | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 |
What each covers
| Markets | ActivTrades | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 38 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Crypto, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | ActivTrades | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | €1 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Lightyear | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €0below the median | €2.45 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | 0.35%below the median | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | 2.42%below the median | 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
Lightyear
Pros
- Account upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 keep quiet months calm
- You can hold stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares available for smaller positions
- You can begin from €1, below many peers, with cash interest at 2.42%
Cons
- Stock trades at $1 look pricey beside ActivTrades at $0 for frequent equity orders
- Currency conversion at 0.35% adds cost when you trade outside your base currency
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so you use email and help centre without phone or chat
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
Lightyear
Who it suits
- You want upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 and prefer XTB only if ticket fees matter more
- You seek stocks, ETFs and crypto from modest sums starting at €1 rather than eToro style ranged pricing
Who should look elsewhere
- You trade stocks very often and want ticket fees of $0 from ActivTrades rather than fees of $1
- You want phone or chat help rather than help on email and help centre, so XTB may suit you better
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.
Lightyear
What will I pay to trade stocks and keep the account open?+
Stock orders carry fees of $1. Account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0. Currency conversion applies at 0.35% when your trade currency differs from your account currency.
Who regulates Lightyear and where can I check it?+
Lightyear names Estonian Financial Supervision Authority and Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) as its supervisors. Oversight sits in Estonia under MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54. You can check the licence details on the relevant public register before you fund an account.
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