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Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team

ActivTrades vs Kraken

ActivTrades scores 9.4 and Kraken 9.2 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
ActivTrades

ActivTrades

Higher score in this comparison

9.4/10
Visit
Kraken

Kraken

9.2/10
Visit

What sets them apart

ActivTrades vs Kraken
CompareActivTradesActivTradesReviewVisitVisitKrakenKrakenReviewVisitVisit
Minimum deposit$0Lower$1
MarketsStocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, BondsStocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, Futures
RegulatorsFCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACENCentral Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)
Investor protectionFSCS up to GBP 85,000EU ICS up to EUR 20,000
Currency conversion fee0.5%0%Lower
Deposit and withdrawal feesFree deposits and withdrawalsFree bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25
PlatformsActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingViewKraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet
Account fee$0Not confirmed
Retail accounts that lose money84%Not confirmed
Maximum retail leverageNot confirmedUp to 10x
Interest on cash3.3%Not confirmed

Same on both: Stock trade 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 9.2.
  • Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
  • Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
  • Minimum deposit is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $1.
  • Currency conversion fee is lower at Kraken: 0% vs 0.5%.
  • Markets: only ActivTrades offers CFDs, Bonds.
  • Markets: only Kraken offers Futures.
  • Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
  • Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
  • Features: only ActivTrades offers Demo account, Fractional shares.

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%.

Read the full ActivTrades review

Kraken

Kraken suits active crypto traders who also want stocks, ETFs, forex and futures alongside digital assets, with commission free stock dealing at $0 and cover shown as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000. Support runs through help centre routes, so traders who want phone help should weigh that trade off before opening an account.

Read the full Kraken review

Score breakdown

ActivTrades vs Kraken
AreaActivTradesKraken
Cost9.3Account upkeep stays light with charges at $0 for everyday holders.9.3Stock dealing costs stay lean at $0 for equity orders.
Offer9.6HigherChoice spans asset classes listed as stocks, ETFs and forex for varied strategies.9.0Market choice spans stocks, ETFs and forex with broad coin coverage.
Trust9.5HigherOversight spans regulators shown as FCA, SCB and CMVM for added assurance.9.3Oversight links to Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Conduct Authority with stated scheme cover.

How they place

ActivTrades vs Kraken
RankingActivTradesKraken
Investing2 of 65425 of 654
Stock and ETF brokers1 of 35815 of 358
Trading platforms1 of 2411 of 24
Forex brokers1 of 1477 of 147
Crypto1 of 42818 of 428

Where each is licensed and available

ActivTrades vs Kraken
CountryActivTradesKraken
IrelandNot confirmed
Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458
IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020
United StatesNot confirmed
SIPC SIPC member 71030

Choosing between them

Pick ActivTrades if offer and minimum deposit matter most.

Pick Kraken if currency conversion fee matter most.

Where these facts come from

ActivTrades

  • activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
  • help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026

Kraken

  • kraken.com: 9 facts, checked September 28, 2026
  • support.kraken.com: 3 facts, checked September 28, 2026

Every fact side by side

ActivTrades vs Kraken
FactActivTradesKraken
FeaturesCrypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers moreCrypto, Mobile app
Pricing modelCommission freeCommission free
AudienceNot confirmedBeginners, Experienced

Crypto exchanges

ActivTrades vs Kraken
FactActivTradesKraken
Taker fee0%Lower0.05% to 0.8%
Coins listed10728Higher
Fiat deposit methodsCard, BankCard, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple payCovers more
Maker fee0%0% to 0.4%
Proof of reservesNot confirmedYes
Withdrawal feeFreeNot confirmed
DerivativesYesYes
Exchange typeCexCex

Savings

ActivTrades vs Kraken
FactActivTradesKraken
Headline rate3.3%Not confirmed
Rate typeVariableNot confirmed
Deposit protectionFSCS up to GBP 85,000Not confirmed
Access termsFunds stay in the account and are free to trade at any time; interest on free margin is paid monthlyNot confirmed
Monthly feeNot confirmed€0
Account kindEasy accessNot confirmed

Debit cards

ActivTrades vs Kraken
FactActivTradesKraken
Free ATM withdrawalsNot confirmed€0
Card typeNot confirmedDebit
Cashback rateNot confirmed0.5% to 2%
Card networkNot confirmedMastercard
CurrenciesNot confirmed600
CustodyNot confirmedSelf custody

Crypto wallets

ActivTrades vs Kraken
FactActivTradesKraken
Wallet typeNot confirmedMobile
PriceNot confirmed$0
Coins supportedNot confirmed728
Backup optionsNot confirmedSeed

Where each stands against the rest

ActivTrades vs Kraken
FactActivTradesKrakenMedian
Minimum deposit$0below the median$1below the median$23.50
Stock trade fee$0at the median$0at the median$0
Account fee$0at the medianNot confirmed$0
Retail accounts that lose money84%highest quarterNot confirmed72.21%
Currency conversion fee0.5%above the median0%below the median0.4%
Interest on cash3.3%above the medianNot confirmed2.875%

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.

Kraken

Pros

  • Commission free stock dealing at $0, below DKB at €10
  • Low entry with $1 alongside fiat choice across card, bank and SEPA
  • Broad venue with stocks, ETFs and forex and 728 plus published proof of reserves

Cons

  • Support runs on help centre only, so you manage queries through help centre paths.
  • Card funding carries extra cost within Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so bank routes suit cost aware deposits.
  • Coin trading fees run 0.05% to 0.8%, so frequent takers should weigh volume tiers.

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.

Kraken

Who it suits

  • Active traders wanting crypto plus stocks, ETFs, forex and futures in a shared venue
  • Cost aware equity investors drawn to dealing at $0 with modest entry at $1

Who should look elsewhere

  • ActivTrades if you want phone led help rather than help centre paths on help centre
  • DKB if you prefer bank bundled investing over crypto led coverage at 728

Country by country

ActivTrades vs Kraken
CountryActivTradesKraken
ArgentinaYesNo
BelgiumYesNo
United KingdomYesNo

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.

Kraken

What is the minimum deposit to start with Kraken?+

You can open an account with $1, which keeps entry modest for new funders. Bank routes are available alongside card and wallet paths, so you can choose the rail that fits your timing and cost preference.

How much does Kraken charge for stocks and crypto trades?+

Stock dealing is shown as $0, which keeps equity orders lean. Crypto taker fees run 0.05% to 0.8%, so your all in cost depends on asset class, order type and monthly volume tier.

Other options to compare

ActivTrades

Visit

Kraken

Visit