Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Deriv vs Spreadex
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Deriv |  Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5 | £0 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Inactivity fee | $25 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Options, Spread betting |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 74% | 61% |
| Platforms | Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader | Web, Mobile |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK Gambling Commission |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free deposits and withdrawals |
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Key differences
- Spreadex scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Spreadex: $0 vs $25.
- Markets: only Deriv offers ETFs, Crypto, Bonds.
- Markets: only Spreadex offers Options, Spread betting.
- Platforms: only Deriv offers Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader.
- Platforms: only Spreadex offers Web, Mobile.
- Support channels: only Spreadex offers Phone.
- Features: only Deriv offers Demo account, Crypto.
- Pricing model: only Spreadex offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
Deriv
Deriv suits beginners and day-traders who want a $0 stock trade fee, a $5 minimum deposit and a demo account to practise on. Most retail accounts here lose money, at 74%, so the cheap entry is not a reason to trade lightly.
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 | Deriv | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9An inactivity fee of $25 is the weak spot, against $0 at Vantage. | 9.4HigherThe minimum deposit is £0, inactivity is $0 and the EUR/USD spread is 0.6%. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.1Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.4 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Deriv | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Deriv | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 160 of 471 | 82 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 69 of 147 | 34 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 67 of 145 | 32 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 58 of 122 | 26 of 122 |
What each covers
| Markets | Deriv | 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 |
Where these facts come from
Deriv
- deriv.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokeranalysis.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxempire.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 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 | Deriv | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, CryptoCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Day traders, Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Spreadex Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1999 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Deriv | Spreadex | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $25highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 74%above the median | 61%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.6%below the median | 0.65% |
Median across 47 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Deriv
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so no second broker is needed
- demo account, mobile app and crypto covers a demo account and a mobile app alongside Deriv Trader and Deriv MT5
- Built for beginners and day traders (day traders and beginners) rather than experienced traders only
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $25 applies to dormant balances, against $0 at Vantage
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone line or live chat listed
- Deriv reports that 74% of retail accounts lose money, above the 70.15% site median
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
Deriv
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a demo account and a small minimum deposit before going live
- Day-traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account
- Traders already comfortable with charting platforms, since Deriv MT5 is one of the platforms listed (Deriv MT5 and Deriv Trader)
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone leaving money parked for long: Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0
- Traders who want futures in the same account: the markets at eToro, stocks, etfs and forex, include them
- Traders who want the smallest possible entry: CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0
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 | Deriv | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Deriv
What does it cost to open a Deriv account?+
The minimum deposit is $5, so the account opens on a small balance. Stock trades are charged at $0, which sits inside a commission-free model, so no commission is added per trade. Beginners and day traders are the stated audience.
Will I be charged if my account sits idle?+
Yes. Deriv charges an inactivity fee of $25 on an account left unused, which is the main cost trap here. Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0 by comparison, so a dormant balance is cheaper elsewhere. Move money you are not using rather than leaving it parked.
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.