Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs XTB
ActivTrades
Higher score in this comparison
XTB
What sets them apart
| Compare | ActivTradesReviewVisitVisit | XTBReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €0 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | €0 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), FCA, KNF |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | 77% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Free deposits; free withdrawals above 100 EUR/USD |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | XStation 5, XStation Mobile |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €10 |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:30 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: 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. 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 9.3.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers SCB, CMVM, FSC.
- Regulators: only XTB offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), KNF.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Bonds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only XTB offers XStation 5, XStation Mobile.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only XTB 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%.
XTB
XTB suits beginners who want an account for shares, forex, CFDs and crypto without a monthly charge, and the cost side is thin: the account fee is €0 and the stock trade fee is €0. The catch is the inactivity fee of €10 and a currency conversion fee of 0.5%.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount upkeep stays light with charges at $0 for everyday holders. | 9.2Account fee of €0 and stock trade fee of €0 lead, with an inactivity fee of €10 the offset. |
| 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. | 9.5 |
What each covers
| Markets | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Savings | 1 of 1492 | 2 of 1492 |
| Savings accounts | 1 of 658 | 2 of 658 |
| Investing | 2 of 654 | 3 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 358 | 2 of 358 |
| Trading platforms | 1 of 24 | 2 of 24 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 2 of 147 |
| Crypto | 1 of 428 | 2 of 428 |
What we checked
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
XTB
- xtb.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- hello-brokers.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- eupersonalfinance.eu: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- linkedin.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | XTB Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Cyprus |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2002 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0% | 0% |
| Coins listed | 10 | 45Higher |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, BankCovers more | Bank |
| Maker fee | 0% | 0% |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free above 100 USD/EUR |
| Derivatives | Yes | Yes |
| Exchange type | Cex | Cex |
Savings
| Fact | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.3% | 4%Higher |
| Rate type | Variable | Variable |
| Deposit protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Access terms | Funds stay in the account and are free to trade at any time; interest on free margin is paid monthly | Interest on uninvested funds, calculated daily and paid monthly within five days of month end, no minimum or maximum balance, withdraw any amount to your bank account |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Account kind | Easy access | Easy access |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | XTB | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €10above the median | €2.45 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | 77%highest quarter | 72.21% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | 0.5%above the median | 0.4% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 2.875% |
Median across 77 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.
XTB
Pros
- The account fee is €0 and the stock trade fee is €0, which places XTB at 1 of 166 brands on the share dealing charge.
- The minimum deposit is €0, putting XTB at 1 of 218 brands on the amount needed to start.
- Deposit protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000 and investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, both stated with figures rather than vague wording.
Cons
- The inactivity fee is €10, and at 39 of 56 brands on that measure XTB sits well outside the free group.
- A currency conversion fee of 0.5% applies even though the stock trade fee is €0, which bites on any US share held in a euro or sterling account.
- Retail leverage runs to 1:30 and 77% of retail accounts lose money, so free dealing does not mean free from risk.
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.
XTB
Who it suits
- Beginners new to investing, since the audience XTB is built for is beginners and the minimum deposit is €0.
- UK and EU customers who want stocks, etfs and forex behind a single login and who read FSCS up to GBP 85,000 before funding.
- People who want the same platform on desktop and phone, with xStation 5 and xStation Mobile both carrying the account.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not bunq, which asks for a minimum deposit of €10 where XTB opens at €0.
- Not CFI if the opening amount is your only guide, since its minimum deposit is also $0 and the real difference is markets and protection.
- Not Fiesta Credito MX, listed under CONDUSEF for credit rather than for trading stocks, etfs and forex.
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
XTB
What does it cost to hold an XTB account?+
The account fee is €0 and the monthly fee is £0, so there is no standing charge for keeping the account open. The recurring cost to watch is the inactivity fee of €10, which applies when an account is left unused. If you hold uninvested funds you also earn interest, calculated daily and paid monthly, with no minimum or maximum balance.
How much does it cost to buy shares on XTB?+
The stock trade fee is €0 and the account runs on a commission free and low fees model, so a share trade carries no commission. The charges that remain are the currency conversion fee of 0.5% when the trade currency and your account currency differ, and any spread built into the price. For an account holding US shares, that conversion fee is what turns a trade with a stock trade fee of €0 into a cost.
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