Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs ActivTrades, 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.
Plus500 and ActivTrades are both well-known online brokers with long operating histories—Plus500 since 2008 and ActivTrades since 2001. Plus500 is publicly traded, while ActivTrades is privately held; neither company is a bank. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 earns a 99/99 Trust Score, placing it in the “highly trusted” range (90–99), whereas ActivTrades scores 80/99, which is considered “trusted” (80–89).
In terms of regulation, Plus500 holds 6 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 4 Tier-2 licenses (trusted). ActivTrades holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license. Both brokers are regulated and considered trustworthy, but Plus500 offers broader top-tier coverage alongside its maximum Trust Score, while ActivTrades provides dependable oversight with fewer licenses.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
Comparing commissions and fees, ActivTrades generally edges out Plus500 on pricing. For EUR/USD, ActivTrades reported an average spread of 0.98 pips in May 2024, while Plus500 averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024. That puts ActivTrades slightly better than the industry average, and Plus500 slightly above it. Both earn a 4.0 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, with ActivTrades ranked #21 of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com and Plus500 ranked #24.
Plus500 doesn’t discount pricing for retail traders and trails top low-cost brokers on active trader pricing; however, it does offer cash rebates if you qualify as a Professional client. ActivTrades offers an Individual Account as its main option, plus Professional and Islamic accounts; spreads are the same across account types, though Professional status can allow lower margin requirements. There’s no dedicated high-volume or active trader pricing at ActivTrades, and actual spreads can vary by platform and during rollover.
Bottom line: if your priority is tighter average spreads on major forex pairs, ActivTrades has the edge. If you’re a qualifying Professional client seeking cash rebates, Plus500 may appeal—just keep in mind its EUR/USD spreads have been higher than the industry average.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.08 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.92 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
In a Plus500 vs ActivTrades comparison for range of investments, Plus500 offers far more markets. Plus500 lists about 5,500 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs, while ActivTrades has around 1,267 symbols and 49 pairs. Both support forex trading (CFD/spot), and both let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto. If you want real shares, Plus500 offers exchange traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, whereas ActivTrades offers real shares only on international exchanges, not U.S. markets.
Feature-wise, ActivTrades stands out for copy trading, which Plus500 does not provide. Overall, Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 17th of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, compared with ActivTrades at 4 stars and 25th. For sheer choice of markets and access to both U.S. and international exchange traded securities, Plus500 is ahead, while ActivTrades appeals if copy trading is a priority.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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.
Comparing Plus500 vs ActivTrades for trading platforms and tools: both brokers provide a free demo account and their own proprietary platforms, along with web-based trading you can access in a browser. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26. If you prefer a browser-first experience, Plus500 fits well; if you want downloadable software, ActivTrades offers a Windows desktop platform in addition to its web app.
Feature-wise, ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), copy trading, and placing trades directly from charts. Plus500 does not offer MT4/MT5, copy trading, or chart-based order placement. Indicator and watchlist field counts were not specified for either broker. In short, Plus500 suits traders who want a straightforward, proprietary web platform with a demo mode, while ActivTrades appeals to those who value MetaTrader, copy trading, and a Windows desktop option.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 and ActivTrades both offer iPhone and Android apps with stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Where they differ is in everyday convenience and charting depth. Plus500 syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while ActivTrades does not. For chart tools, Plus500 packs in 115 technical studies compared with ActivTrades’ 30. If you often annotate charts, ActivTrades auto-saves drawings, whereas Plus500 does not.
In overall mobile app quality, Plus500 earns 4.5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades scores 4 stars and ranks #21. Choose Plus500 if you want more indicators and seamless watchlist syncing; pick ActivTrades if auto-saving your chart work matters most.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Plus500 and ActivTrades both cover the basics for market research with daily market commentary, a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. Where they differ: ActivTrades includes premium forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, while Plus500 does not. On the flip side, Plus500 offers Trading Central research tools, which ActivTrades lacks. Neither broker provides tools from Autochartist, Acuity Trading (such as Signal Centre), or research from TipRanks.
For traders who want built-in technical insights and trade ideas, Plus500’s access to Trading Central can be a draw. If real-time, professional newsroom headlines matter more, ActivTrades has the edge. Based on ForexBrokers.com’s evaluations, Plus500 earns 4.5 stars for Research and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades earns 4 stars and ranks #26. Both are solid picks for everyday research needs, but your choice may hinge on whether you prefer Trading Central tools (Plus500) or top-tier news coverage (ActivTrades).
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing Plus500 and ActivTrades for beginner education, both brokers make getting started straightforward. Each hosts monthly client webinars and provides a library of at least 10 beginner-focused videos that explain trading basics relevant to forex and CFD markets. When you’re ready to go deeper, both also offer 10+ advanced videos, so you can keep learning beyond the fundamentals.
In overall quality, Plus500 has a slight edge. Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #26 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades earns 4 stars and ranks #30. If you want the stronger education score and ranking, Plus500 is the better pick; if you’re choosing based on access to webinars and beginner videos, both Plus500 and ActivTrades are solid options for new traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than ActivTrades. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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In the Plus500 vs ActivTrades comparison, neither broker offers actual (delivered) cryptocurrency purchases, but both allow trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
Comparing online brokers Plus500 and ActivTrades for deposit and withdrawal methods: neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers; Plus500 accepts PayPal while ActivTrades does not; both support Skrill and bank wire transfers; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.08 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.92 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Plus500 Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | ActivTrades Review |
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