Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Robinhood
Where ActivTrades and Robinhood differ
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | $100 outgoing transfer |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 10X |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Forex, CFDs, Bonds.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Demo account.
- Features: only Robinhood offers Options, Futures.
- Pricing model: only Robinhood offers Low fees.
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.
Robinhood
Robinhood suits first-time investors and small, regular investors who want nothing charged for holding or trading. It is the cheapest way in on our data, with a minimum deposit of $0, no account fee and no inactivity charge, under the Bank of Lithuania and SIPC.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.3 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ActivTrades | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Choosing between them
Pick ActivTrades if offer matter most.
Pick Robinhood if cost matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 490 | 13 of 490 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Robinhood Europe UAB |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Lithuania |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Robinhood | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below 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 | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 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
Robinhood
Pros
- Nothing to pay to open or hold an account, with an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0
- Trading a share costs $0, so a small first order is not eaten by commission
- You can start with a deposit of $0, lower than most brands on our data
Cons
- Leverage is available at 10X, which magnifies losses as well as gains
- Outgoing transfers carry a charge of $100 outgoing transfer
- Margin borrowing is priced at a margin rate of 3.95%, so interest adds to your cost
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
Robinhood
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a first account with a small deposit
- Day-traders working in options, futures and crypto on mobile
- Retirement investors using an IRA, Roth IRA or joint account
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage if a flat minimum deposit of $5 suits you better
- CFI if you want forex and CFDs alongside shares, since its markets cover stocks, etfs and forex
- eToro if social copy trading matters more than options and futures
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.
Robinhood
What does it cost to trade shares on Robinhood?+
Trading a share costs $0, and an options contract costs $0. There is also an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0, so nothing is taken for simply holding the account open. Borrowing on margin is charged at a margin rate of 3.95%, which is the main running cost if you use leverage.
Is there a minimum deposit to open a Robinhood account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so you can open an account and place a small first order without funding a large balance. It is worth comparing that with the deposits other brands ask for before you commit, since the figure varies widely across the market. Outgoing transfers are charged at $100 outgoing transfer, so factor that in if you plan to move money out early.
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