Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs TradeStation
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | free deposits |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%Higher | 0.15% |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Currency conversion fee (0.5%).
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
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only TradeStation offers SIPC.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers CFDs.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Options, Futures, Funds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only TradeStation offers TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile.
- Interest on cash is higher at ActivTrades: 3.3% vs 0.15%.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Demo account.
- Features: only TradeStation offers Options, Futures.
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.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.2Stock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.4One account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.2 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | ActivTrades | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 104 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 44 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 1 of 145 | 42 of 145 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | ActivTrades | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ActivTrades | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
What we checked
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
TradeStation
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- financer.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nerdwallet.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1982 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | TradeStation | 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 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | 0.5%above the median | 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
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
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
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- ActivTrades vs quantfury
- ActivTrades vs Trade Nation
- ActivTrades vs VT Markets
- ActivTrades vs tastytrade
- ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers
- ActivTrades vs TradeZero
- ActivTrades vs Acorns Checking
- ActivTrades vs Charles Schwab
- ActivTrades vs Lime Financial
- ActivTrades vs Exness
- ActivTrades vs PU Prime
- ActivTrades vs Tradier
- ActivTrades vs Capital.com
- ActivTrades vs Global Prime
- ActivTrades vs LiteFinance
- ActivTrades vs Spreadex
- ActivTrades vs DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank)
- ActivTrades vs XTB
- ActivTrades vs NAGA
- ActivTrades vs UNest
- TradeStation vs eToro
- ActivTrades vs Linxea
- ActivTrades vs bunq
- ActivTrades vs Mintos
- ActivTrades vs Bitpanda
- ActivTrades vs Robinhood
- ActivTrades vs Kraken
- ActivTrades vs EBC Financial Group
- ActivTrades vs Lightyear