Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Trade Nation
Where ActivTrades and Trade Nation differ
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Forex, CFDs, Spread betting |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACENCovers more | FCA |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | 57.1% |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | TN Trader |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 30:1 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), 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 8.9.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers SCB, CMVM, FSC.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Stocks, ETFs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Trade Nation offers Spread betting.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Trade Nation offers TN Trader.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, 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.
Trade Nation
Trade Nation suits UK retail traders who want a regulated, no-frills CFD account with nothing to pay for holding it. The minimum deposit is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so the running cost of an idle account sits at the very bottom of our table.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.6HigherInactivity fee of $0, minimum deposit of $0 and Free deposits and withdrawals for funding, all at the cheap end. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 8.5 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 8.6 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ActivTrades | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
Licences and countries
| Country | ActivTrades | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 525164 |
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 71 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 69 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 1 of 122 | 60 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
Trade Nation
- forexrev.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradenation.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxscouts.com.au: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- safeforexbrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Trade Nation Financial UK Ltd |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Trade Nation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | 57.1%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
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
Trade Nation
Pros
- Minimum deposit of $0, top of our list on deposits
- Inactivity fee of $0, also top of our list
- Free deposits and withdrawals, so moving money on and off carries no charge
Cons
- Markets are limited to forex, cfds and spread betting, so there is no share dealing alongside the CFDs
- Retail accounts that lose money stand at 57.1%, lower than most brokers on our table but still a majority
- Only one platform, TN Trader, with a mobile app as the stated feature
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
Trade Nation
Who it suits
- UK traders who want an FCA regulated account with no minimum balance
- Anyone who keeps a CFD account open for months and does not want an inactivity charge
- Beginners who prefer one clear platform, TN Trader, rather than a choice
Who should look elsewhere
- Buy and hold investors, since markets run to forex, cfds and spread betting only
- Traders who want crypto, futures or options, none of which sit in forex, cfds and spread betting
- Anyone wanting several platforms, as only TN Trader is listed
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.
Trade Nation
What is the minimum deposit at Trade Nation?+
The minimum deposit is $0, which is 1 of 213 brands in our table. You can open an account with a small balance and add more whenever you want. Deposits themselves carry no charge, since Free deposits and withdrawals.
Does Trade Nation charge an inactivity fee?+
The inactivity fee is $0, which puts it at 1 of 56 brands on that measure. If your account sits unused for a while, there is no monthly deduction for holding it open.
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