Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Markets.com
Where ActivTrades and Markets.com differ
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $100 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread bettingCovers more |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | 72.4% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%Lower | 0.6% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0).
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
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers SCB, CMVM, FSC.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FSCA, ASIC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $100.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at ActivTrades: 0.5% vs 0.6%.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Spread betting.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only Markets.com offers Copy trading.
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.
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.6Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.7Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Oversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.9Higher |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ActivTrades | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| South Africa | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 481853 |
What it costs in practice
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
ActivTrades
$25
48 × $0 + 1 × $0 + 0.5% of 5,000
Markets.com
$30
48 × $0 + 1 × $0 + 0.6% of 5,000
ActivTrades costs $5 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 28, 2026.
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ActivTrades | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
Where these facts come from
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
Markets.com
- markets.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wecomparebrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- commodity.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investingreviews.co.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 490 | 40 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 16 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 14 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 1 of 122 | 13 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $100above the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | 72.4%above the median | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | 0.6%above the median | 0.4% |
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
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $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
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
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.
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- ActivTrades vs CFI
- ActivTrades vs IG
- ActivTrades vs Exness
- ActivTrades vs Angel One
- ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers
- Markets.com vs Fidelity
- Markets.com vs Firstrade
- Markets.com vs Merrill Edge
- Markets.com vs OANDA
- Markets.com vs Vantage Markets
- Markets.com vs FXTM
- Markets.com vs Vantage
- Markets.com vs WH SelfInvest
- Markets.com vs AvaTrade
- Markets.com vs Errante
- Markets.com vs Alchemy Markets
- ActivTrades vs DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank)
- ActivTrades vs XTB
- ActivTrades vs NAGA
- ActivTrades vs UNest
- ActivTrades vs Linxea
- ActivTrades vs bunq
- ActivTrades vs Mintos
- ActivTrades vs Bitpanda
- ActivTrades vs Robinhood
- ActivTrades vs EBC Financial Group
- Markets.com vs Afranga
- Markets.com vs Kraken
- Markets.com vs Nectaro