Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Spreadex
ActivTrades vs Spreadex: the differences
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | £0 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Options, Spread betting |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK Gambling Commission |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | 61% |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Web, Mobile |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Investor protection (FSCS up to GBP 85,000), Deposit and withdrawal fees (Free deposits and withdrawals).
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.3.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers SCB, CMVM, FSC.
- Regulators: only Spreadex offers UK Gambling Commission.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers ETFs, Crypto, Bonds.
- Markets: only Spreadex offers Options, Spread betting.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Spreadex offers Web, Mobile.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only Spreadex 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.
Spreadex
Spreadex suits UK traders who want to deal shares without a trade commission, with the same account carrying forex, CFDs, options and spread betting. Regulated in the UK with FSCS investor protection, it ranks 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, which sit at £0.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.4HigherThe minimum deposit is £0, inactivity is $0 and the EUR/USD spread is 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.1 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.4 |
What each covers
| Markets | ActivTrades | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ActivTrades | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 82 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 34 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 32 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 1 of 122 | 26 of 122 |
Where these facts come from
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
Spreadex
- spreadex.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forexsuggest.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxempire.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxscouts.com.au: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- topbrokers.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Spreadex Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1999 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Spreadex | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | 61%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.6%below the median | 0.65% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 52 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
Spreadex
Pros
- Shares cost £0 to buy and sell, and the pricing model is commission free and low fees.
- A single account covers stocks, forex and cfds, so shares, forex, CFDs, options and spread betting sit side by side.
- Trading runs on Web and Mobile platforms, and a mobile app is part of the feature set.
Cons
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no live chat or email listed.
- The risk warning puts 61% of retail accounts losing money.
- The market list runs stocks, forex and cfds, with no crypto, funds or bond offering.
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
Spreadex
Who it suits
- UK residents who want to deal shares without a per-trade commission.
- Traders who want forex, CFDs, options and spread betting in the same account.
- Anyone who values a long operating history: Spreadex has run from the UK since 1999.
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage, for anyone who prefers a stated minimum deposit of $5 to a free entry.
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is quoted in dollars at $0.
- Anyone who wants live chat or email support, because Spreadex lists phone and help centre only.
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Spreadex
What does it cost to deal shares on Spreadex?+
Stock trades are £0, and the pricing model is listed as commission free and low fees. Spreadex ranks 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, so share dealing sits at the cheaper end of what brokers charge.
Is there a minimum deposit at Spreadex?+
The minimum deposit is £0, so an account can be opened and funded with a small balance. Spreadex ranks 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, worth weighing against brokers that ask for a starter amount.
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