Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Lime Financial
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $30,000 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | FINRA, NFA |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile, Lime Direct, Sterling, CQG, TakeProfit |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.5% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only Lime Financial offers FINRA, NFA.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $30,000.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Lime Financial offers Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Lime Financial offers Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
- Features: only Lime Financial offers Options, Futures.
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.
Lime Financial
Lime Financial suits experienced traders and active day traders who want options and futures on a commission-free basis. Stock trades cost $0 and the account is regulated by FINRA and NFA with SIPC protection, but the account starts at $30,000, so the entry point is the trade-off.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 8.5Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, but opening requires $30,000, well past the €4.64 site median. |
| Offer | 9.6Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.6 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.4 |
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 118 of 471 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ActivTrades | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
What we checked
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
Lime Financial
- lime.co: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Options, Futures, Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Lime Trading Corp. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2000 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Lime Financial | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $30,000highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $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% |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.5%highest quarter | 8.75% |
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
Lime Financial
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 on a commission-free model, so no per-trade charge
- Options and futures are available alongside stocks, etfs and options
- Regulated by FINRA and NFA, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $30,000 puts Lime Financial beyond most starter accounts, ranking 210 of 213 on this measure
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre with no live chat listed
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
Lime Financial
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free options and futures
- Day traders working across Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web and Lime Trader Mobile
- US accounts holders wanting SIPC protection
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners building a first portfolio, who should look at CFI with a $0 entry point
- Small savers, who should compare Vantage at $5
- Readers wanting forex, CFDs or crypto, which sit outside stocks, etfs and options
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 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.
Lime Financial
What does it cost to trade stocks at Lime Financial?+
Stock trades cost $0, and the account runs on a commission-free model. There is no per-trade charge for equities. The catch is the entry requirement: a minimum deposit of $30,000 to open the account.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $30,000. That is a high bar for a first account, ranking 210 of 213 brands on this comparison. Readers with a smaller starting balance would be better served elsewhere.
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