Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs bunq
ActivTrades
Higher score in this comparison
bunq
Where ActivTrades and bunq differ
| Compare | ActivTradesReviewVisitVisit | bunqReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | 0.5% to 3% |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Bunq app |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only bunq offers De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC.
- bunq is available in 4 more countries.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Forex, CFDs, Bonds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only bunq offers Bunq app.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Demo account.
- Pricing model: only ActivTrades offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only bunq offers Monthly.
Our verdict on each
ActivTrades
ActivTrades suits active traders seeking broad market access with commission free share dealing alongside forex, CFDs and bonds in a single account. Minimum deposit sits at $0 with stock trade fees at $0 and cover through FSCS up to GBP 85,000, while retail loss share stands at 84%.
bunq
bunq fits expats and anyone living across Europe who wants a euro account that pays interest on everyday money and handles spending and investing in the same app. Savings pay 3.01% on an easy access balance held under EU DGS up to EUR 100,000, with interest credited weekly.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account upkeep stays light with charges at $0 for everyday holders. | 9.5HigherThe plan carries a monthly fee of €0 and an annual fee of €0, with deposits starting from €10. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherChoice spans asset classes listed as stocks, ETFs and forex for varied strategies. | 8.3 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight spans regulators shown as FCA, SCB and CMVM for added assurance. | 8.5 |
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Savings | 1 of 1492 | 10 of 1492 |
| Savings accounts | 1 of 658 | 7 of 658 |
| Investing | 2 of 654 | 13 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 358 | 9 of 358 |
| Crypto | 1 of 428 | 7 of 428 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Not confirmed | Nationale Bank van Belgie / Banque Nationale de Belgique (NBB) BE 0769.451.708 |
| France | Not confirmed | Banque de France SIREN 893970970 |
| Germany | Not confirmed | |
| Ireland | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland 909737 |
| Italy | Not confirmed | Banca d'Italia MI - 2628476 |
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| Spain | Not confirmed | Banco de Espana W0086933I |
Available in 1 country for both. Additional countries for ActivTrades: 2. Additional countries for bunq: 6.
Sources behind this comparison
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
bunq
- bunq.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.bunq.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Monthly |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Expats |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | bunq B.V. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Netherlands |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2012 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Help centre |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0%Lower | 0.25% to 1.99% |
| Coins listed | 10 | from 350 |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank | Not confirmed |
| Maker fee | 0%Lower | 0.25% to 1.99% |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Not confirmed |
| Derivatives | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Exchange type | Cex | Cex |
Savings
| Fact | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.3%Higher | 3.01% |
| Rate type | Variable | Variable |
| Deposit protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 |
| Access terms | Funds stay in the account and are free to trade at any time; interest on free margin is paid monthly | Withdraw any amount free up to 2 times a month, rising to 3 free monthly withdrawals after 12 months; interest paid weekly |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Account kind | Easy access | Easy access |
Debit cards
| Fact | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Card type | Not confirmed | Debit |
| Card network | Not confirmed | Mastercard |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 8 |
Credit cards
| Fact | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Card kind | Not confirmed | Credit |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | bunq | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.21% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | 0.5% to 3%above the median | 0.4% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 2.875% |
Median across 94 listed providers.
Pros and cons
ActivTrades
Pros
- Share dealing costs nothing with fees at $0, unlike DKB with fees of €10.
- Entry stays accessible with minimum deposit at $0 alongside funding via card and bank.
- Crypto derivatives are available with taker pricing at 0% for cost aware traders.
Cons
- Coin choice stays narrow at 10 for traders seeking wide crypto coverage.
- Currency conversion applies at 0.5% which adds cost for cross currency activity.
- Retail loss share stands elevated at 84%, highlighting CFD risk.
bunq
Pros
- Investing sits in the same app, with stocks, etfs and crypto and fractional shares among the plan features.
- The card runs on mastercard, and conversion costs 0.5% to 3% across 8 currencies.
- Regulated in the Netherlands by De Nederlandsche Bank, with savings under EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 and investments under EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only.
- The rate is variable, so the 3.01% headline can move in either direction.
- Crypto trades cost 0.25% to 1.99%, with maker fees of 0.25% to 1.99%.
Who each suits
ActivTrades
Who it suits
- Traders seeking commission free stocks with fees at $0 and varied venues at ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
- Investors comfortable with forex and CFD exposure across assets at stocks, ETFs and forex.
- Savers holding trading cash who value interest at 3.3% with easy access.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders seeking bank bundled saving plus investing may consider DKB, which structures share dealing around €10.
- Investors seeking social portfolios and guided themes may consider eToro, where entry starts at $50.
bunq
Who it suits
- Anyone banking across the euro area, since bunq is licensed in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy and Belgium.
- People who want saving, spending and investing in one place, since crypto, fractional shares and mobile app all run through bunq app.
- Savers who want interest without being locked into a term, since the account is easy access.
Who should look elsewhere
- Linxea, where €25 is the starting premium on a life insurance product rather than a balance that pays interest.
- Oney Préstamos ES, where €1,000 is a borrowing amount to repay, not money you hold.
- Euroasia Insurance, where UZS 60,000 buys car cover, not euro banking.
Current offers
bunq
Current offer
First period offer
bunq Pro free for students: bunq Pro for EUR0/month while studying (normally EUR9.99/month)
Students only; Enjoy bunq Pro for free while you study
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
30-day free trial: 30 days free
Open your account in just 5 minutes and start your 30-day free trial today
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Yes | No |
| France | No | Yes |
| Germany | No | Yes |
| Ireland | No | Yes |
| Italy | No | Yes |
| Netherlands | No | Yes |
| Spain | No | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
8 of 9 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
ActivTrades
What does ActivTrades charge for investing?+
Stock dealing carries fees of $0 with account upkeep at $0. Deposits and withdrawals are described as Free deposits and withdrawals. Currency conversion applies at 0.5%, so cross currency moves need care when sizing orders and planning holding periods.
How is money protected at ActivTrades?+
Investor protection is stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000 with deposit protection described as FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Oversight comes from regulators listed as FCA, SCB and CMVM. Such cover has limits and conditions, so readers should check eligibility for their entity before funding.
bunq
How much does a bunq account cost?+
The standard plan carries a monthly fee of €0 and an annual fee of €0, so the account itself is free to hold. What you pay depends on use: currency conversion on the card runs at 0.5% to 3%, and crypto trades are charged 0.25% to 1.99%. Everything is managed in bunq app.
How much interest does bunq pay on savings?+
The savings balance pays 3.01%, and the rate is variable, which means it can move rather than being locked in for a term. Interest is paid weekly into the account, and the account is easy access.
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