Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs GBE brokers, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
ActivTrades, established in 2001, and GBE Brokers, founded in 2013, are both online brokers that provide trading services to clients globally. Although neither company is publicly traded nor operates as a bank, they differ significantly in their regulatory credentials, which influences their Trust Score ratings as determined by ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license, which is considered trusted, resulting in a Trust Score rating of 81. This rating categorizes ActivTrades as a trusted broker.
Conversely, GBE Brokers has one Tier-1 license and does not hold any Tier-2 licenses. This regulatory standing results in a Trust Score rating of 71, placing GBE Brokers in the average risk category. These scores not only reflect the degree of regulatory oversight each broker is subjected to but also provide an insight into their safety and trustworthiness, helping traders make informed decisions based on their investment needs.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing ActivTrades and GBE Brokers, both companies receive a commendable four-star rating for their commissions and fees structure. While ActivTrades offers spreads that tend to exceed the industry average in favorability, they're not the most competitive when stacked against other low-cost forex options. The broker supports trading through its Individual, Professional, and Islamic Accounts, although there are no additional benefits for high-volume traders or options for reduced pricing for avid traders. Average spreads at ActivTrades, for example, were reported at 0.98 pips for EUR/USD during May 2024, though these can fluctuate based on market conditions.
GBE Brokers, on the other hand, do not provide specific data regarding average spreads, limiting client insights into potential trading costs. Despite this, both brokers offer similar levels of competitiveness in terms of commission and fee ratings but rank differently on ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades holds the 28th position out of 63 brokers, while GBE Brokers is ranked at 37th for the Commissions and Fees category, offering a closer look at their respective market standings.
Ultimately, traders choosing between ActivTrades and GBE Brokers should consider their trading priorities and asset preferences, as these factors will influence overall costs. While both brokers share the same star rating, the nuances of their fees, including the variance in spread data, may sway traders based on individual needs and trading strategies.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
ActivTrades and GBE Brokers offer diverse investment options tailored to meet the needs of various traders. ActivTrades provides traders with an impressive selection of 1,267 tradeable symbols, including 49 forex pairs, and allows access to international exchange-traded securities, like Vodafone shares on the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, ActivTrades supports copy trading and offers the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, enhancing its appeal for those seeking a versatile trading experience. With a four-star rating for its range of investments, ActivTrades stands at 31st out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, GBE Brokers presents a more focused selection with 500 tradeable symbols, which includes 71 forex pairs—the larger number compared to ActivTrades. However, it lacks access to exchange-traded securities on international exchanges. Like ActivTrades, GBE Brokers supports both copy trading and trading in cryptocurrency derivatives but does not facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Rated 3.5 stars for its range of investments, GBE Brokers is positioned at 44th out of 63 brokers in the same ForexBrokers.com category. Both platforms cater to forex traders but differ in their broader investment offerings.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
ActivTrades and GBE Brokers both cater to traders looking for diverse and effective online trading platforms. Both brokers offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts and provide flexibility through Windows-based desktop and web-based trading platforms. However, ActivTrades stands out by offering a proprietary platform developed in-house, while GBE Brokers does not. Both brokers support popular platforms MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 and offer copy trading features. Neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
When it comes to charting tools, both ActivTrades and GBE Brokers offer 15 drawing tools, and both allow trades directly from stock charts. However, ActivTrades provides more customization with 11 watch list columns compared to GBE Brokers' 7. In terms of ratings for Trading Platforms and Tools, both brokers have received 4 stars, though ActivTrades holds a higher industry ranking at #30 compared to GBE Brokers' #57 out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both ActivTrades and GBE brokers offer strong mobile trading apps available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps come with a range of features designed to support traders on-the-go. Both platforms provide stock and forex price alerts, allowing users to stay updated on market movements in real-time. Each app allows the drawing of trendlines on charts and offers the flexibility to view different time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday. The apps also automatically save chart drawings, ensuring that traders don't lose their work. Moreover, users can create customizable watchlists with real-time quotes, helping them keep track of their preferred stocks or currency pairs.
Despite these similarities, there are no features for watchlist symbol syncing in either app, meaning changes made in the mobile app won't synchronize with those on the online account. ActivTrades and GBE brokers both offer 30 technical studies for charting, providing ample analytical tools for traders. When it comes to ratings, both platforms are evenly matched, each receiving a commendable four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps. However, ActivTrades holds a better rank, being positioned at #19 by ForexBrokers.com, compared to GBE brokers, which is ranked at #57 out of 63 brokers. If ranking is essential to you, ActivTrades might hold a slight edge, despite both apps offering a wealth of trading features.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing ActivTrades and GBE brokers for market research, both brokers provide daily market commentary and offer an economic calendar to track global events. However, ActivTrades shines with its access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which GBE brokers lack. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools showing the ratio of long or short positions across different instruments, yet neither provides research tools from Autochartist, Trading Central, or Acuity Trading, nor do they feature market research from TipRanks.
ActivTrades holds a slight edge in terms of research rating, earning 4 out of 5 stars, whereas GBE brokers receive a 3-star rating. In a competitive analysis of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades ranks at number 30, highlighting its strengths in market research offerings, while GBE brokers fall behind at the 62nd position. These factors make ActivTrades a more preferable option for traders seeking comprehensive market insights from top-tier sources.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners at ActivTrades and GBE Brokers, ActivTrades clearly has the upper hand. ActivTrades offers a broad selection of more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, which includes articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also host online educational webinars for their clients at least once a month and provide a searchable archive of past webinars. For those starting in trading, ActivTrades has created over 10 video tutorials that introduce beginners to essential trading topics, as well as over 10 advanced educational videos aimed at more experienced traders. However, they do not offer an investor dictionary with investment term definitions.
In contrast, GBE Brokers falls short in several areas. They do not provide a minimum of 10 pieces of beginner education content on forex or CFDs, nor do they offer monthly webinars or an archive of previous webinars. GBE Brokers also does not meet the criteria for delivering educational videos specifically tailored for beginners or advanced traders. Both brokers lack an investor dictionary, yet ActivTrades receives a higher education rating, with 4 out of 5 stars compared to GBE Brokers' 3 out of 5. Ranked #38 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades surpasses GBE Brokers, which ranks at #63 in terms of education.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ActivTrades is better than GBE brokers. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #57.
ActivTrades is a long-standing brand that offers a proprietary trading platform, ActivTrader, and support for the award-winning TradingView and MetaTrader (MT4 and MT5) platforms. ActivTrades also delivers a selection of custom add-ons, indicators, and trading tools for traders who prefer to use MetaTrader. Drawbacks for trading with ActivTrades include a smaller selection of tradeable symbols and fewer educational resources than what’s available from the best forex brokers.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
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GBE brokers
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 71 |
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Both ActivTrades and GBE Brokers do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing the online brokers ActivTrades and GBE brokers, it's notable that while both offer deposit and withdrawal options such as Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, GBE brokers further distinguishes itself by also providing ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options, which ActivTrades does not offer.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 81 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | ActivTrades | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
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