Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs CapTrader
ActivTrades
Higher score in this comparison
CapTrader
Where ActivTrades and CapTrader differ
| Compare | ActivTradesReviewVisitVisit | CapTraderReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $2,000 |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $2 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | €2 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Account fee ($0).
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 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $2,000.
- Stock trade fee is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $2.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Options, Futures, Funds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto.
- Pricing model: only ActivTrades offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
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%.
CapTrader
CapTrader charges $0 to hold an account and $0 for inactivity, so it suits active traders who want a wide market list. The catch is the $2,000 minimum deposit, which puts it beyond casual starters working with a small pot.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount upkeep stays light with charges at $0 for everyday holders. | 8.7The $0 account fee and $0 inactivity charge are clean, but the $2,000 minimum deposit and $2 stock trade fee pull the score back. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherChoice spans asset classes listed as stocks, ETFs and forex for varied strategies. | 9.2 |
| Trust | 9.5Oversight spans regulators shown as FCA, SCB and CMVM for added assurance. | Not confirmed |
Cost in a real example
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
ActivTrades
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
CapTrader
$96
48 × $2 + 1 × $0
ActivTrades costs $96 less.
Excludes currency conversion fee (not stated by CapTrader). Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 28, 2026.
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Which one suits you
Pick ActivTrades if cost, offer, minimum deposit, and stock trade fee matter most.
Pick CapTrader if markets matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 2 of 654 | 36 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 358 | 24 of 358 |
| Trading platforms | 1 of 24 | 18 of 24 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 12 of 147 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Coins listed | 10 | Not confirmed |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank | Not confirmed |
| Maker fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Not confirmed |
| Derivatives | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Exchange type | Cex | Not confirmed |
Savings
| Fact | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Not confirmed |
| Deposit protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Access terms | Funds stay in the account and are free to trade at any time; interest on free margin is paid monthly | Not confirmed |
| Account kind | Easy access | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | CapTrader | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $2,000highest quarter | $23.50 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $2highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.21% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.4% |
Median across 138 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.
CapTrader
Pros
- The account fee is $0 and the inactivity charge is $0, so holding an account costs nothing.
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, from shares and ETFs through to forex, crypto and funds.
- A demo account, fractional shares and a mobile app come as standard under demo account, mobile app and fractional shares.
Cons
- The $2,000 minimum deposit sits at 201 of 218 brands, which puts it out of reach for small pots.
- Trading costs bite on every order: $2 a stock trade and €2 an option.
- Support runs on help centre only, so quick questions wait for an article.
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.
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders with a large pot who want stocks, etfs and forex under the same account.
- Desktop users who like a proper workstation, since Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers every session.
- Beginners who want to rehearse on the demo account and buy in fractions (demo account, mobile app and fractional shares).
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone starting with a small sum: CFI lists a $0 minimum deposit against CapTrader's $2,000.
- Readers who want the cheapest stock dealing, since eToro charges $0 on stock trades against CapTrader's $2.
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
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.
CapTrader
What does it cost to keep an account open?+
CapTrader charges an account fee of $0 and an inactivity charge of $0, so a dormant account costs nothing. That is the cheap part of running it. The money you actually pay for is trading, at $2 per stock trade and €2 per option.
How much do I need to put in before I can start?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which places CapTrader at 201 of 218 brands tracked on the site. That sits well above many rivals and rules out small monthly savers. Someone starting small would find $0 at CFI easier to reach.
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