Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs tastytrade
Where ActivTrades and tastytrade differ
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Mobile, Desktop, Web |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $1 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Joint |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only tastytrade offers SIPC.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers CFDs, Bonds.
- Markets: only tastytrade offers Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only tastytrade offers Mobile, Desktop, Web.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Demo account, Fractional shares.
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.
tastytrade
tastytrade suits traders who want options, futures and crypto in the same account as shares and ETFs, and it suits anyone starting small. The minimum deposit is $0, share dealing costs $0 a trade, and options cost $1 a contract, so the bill grows only if you trade derivatives.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.1The commission free model keeps equity dealing cheap, but the options contract fee of $1 is the line heavy option traders watch. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.4 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 8.6 |
Licences and countries
| Country | ActivTrades | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 69649 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ActivTrades | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 150 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 65 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 63 of 145 |
Where these facts come from
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
tastytrade
- tastytrade.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | TASTYTRADE INC |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | tastytrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $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% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $1highest quarter | $0.625 |
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
tastytrade
Pros
- Share dealing costs $0 a trade, and the account opens from $0.
- All of stocks, etfs and forex sit under the same account.
- Protection is recorded as SIPC up to USD 500,000, with membership logged as SIPC member 69649.
Cons
- Options cost $1 a contract, so regular contract buyers pay more than occasional ones.
- The recorded account types under ira and joint are an IRA and a joint account.
- In the stock comparison, 72.03% of retail accounts lose money.
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
tastytrade
Who it suits
- Traders who want options and futures in the same account as shares and ETFs.
- Anyone starting small, since the minimum deposit is $0.
- People saving into an IRA who also want crypto and forex nearby.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro if you want CFDs listed alongside the core markets: stocks, etfs and forex.
- CFI if you want the shorter list in stocks, etfs and forex, which ends at crypto.
- Vantage if you would rather start above the floor, since its minimum deposit is $5.
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
tastytrade
Is there a minimum deposit to open a tastytrade account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened and funded with whatever you want to start on. Share dealing then costs $0 a trade, which keeps the running cost close to the opening balance.
What does an options contract cost?+
Options are charged per contract at $1. If you buy options often, that fee becomes the main line you track, while share dealing stays at $0. Traders who touch options now and then will feel it far less than regular contract buyers.
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