Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB and ActivTrades are well-known online brokers with long operating histories. XTB was founded in 2002 and is publicly traded, while ActivTrades began in 2001 and remains privately held. Neither broker is a bank.
On regulation, both brokers hold two Tier-1 licenses, the highest level tracked by ForexBrokers.com. XTB also holds two Tier-2 licenses, while ActivTrades holds one Tier-2 license. XTB’s ForexBrokers.com Trust Score is 96/99, which is considered highly trusted (90–99), whereas ActivTrades scores 80/99, placing it in the trusted range (80–89).
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
XTB and ActivTrades both keep commissions and fees fairly straightforward, but XTB has the edge overall. XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and, in some regions, a commission-based Professional account for eligible clients. Its pricing is around the industry average, with EUR/USD spreads of about 1 pip based on Q4 2023 data. XTB also has an active trader discount program called Lower Spread Group, which can rebate 5% to 30% of the spread once traders hit certain monthly volume levels. XTB is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #13 out of 36 brokers.
ActivTrades also comes in near the middle of the pack on pricing, with spreads that are slightly better than average but not among the cheapest in the market. It mainly offers an Individual Account, plus Professional and Islamic account options, and spreads stay the same across account types. There is no special pricing for high-volume traders, and no active trader discount program. ActivTrades reported an average EUR/USD spread of 0.98 pips for May 2024. ActivTrades is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #23 out of 36 brokers.
In simple terms, XTB is the stronger choice for commissions and fees, especially for active traders who can qualify for discounts. ActivTrades is still competitive, but its pricing structure is more basic and less rewarding for frequent trading. If lower overall trading costs matter most, XTB has the better score and ranking.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.06 | 1.08 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | N/A | 0.92 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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.
XTB offers a wider range of investments than ActivTrades, making it the stronger choice for traders who want more market access. XTB provides 10,521 tradable symbols, including 71 forex pairs, while ActivTrades offers 1,267 tradable symbols and 49 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and both offer international exchange-traded securities. However, XTB also lets clients buy real U.S.-listed shares, such as Apple, and buy actual cryptocurrency, which ActivTrades does not.
ActivTrades still covers the basics well and stands out for copy trading, which XTB does not offer. Both brokers provide cryptocurrency CFDs, but overall XTB has the broader selection and better variety for investors looking beyond forex. This is reflected in their ratings and rankings for range of investments: XTB earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15 out of 36 brokers, while ActivTrades is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26 out of 36.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10521 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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). | 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.
XTB and ActivTrades both give traders a free demo account, a web-based platform, and their own in-house trading platform, so each broker makes it easy to get started and trade in a browser. Both also let users place trades directly from charts, which is helpful for quick order entry and easier analysis. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, XTB earns a higher 4.5-star rating and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers, while ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and ranks #28.
The main difference is that ActivTrades offers more platform choice for active traders, including a Windows desktop platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and copy trading. XTB does not offer those options, so its platform lineup is simpler, but it may still suit traders who prefer an easy-to-use web platform and strong in-house tools. For traders who want MT4, MT5, or copy trading, ActivTrades has the edge; for those focused on a cleaner platform setup and a higher overall tools rating, XTB stands out.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | 92 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each lets users set stock or forex price alerts, draw trendlines, and have chart drawings saved automatically. Both apps cover the basics well, making it easy to trade and track markets on the go. In overall mobile app ratings, XTB comes out ahead with 4.5 out of 5 stars and a #8 ranking out of 36 brokers, while ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and ranks #21.
Where XTB stands out most is charting and account syncing. Its mobile app includes 104 technical studies, compared with 30 for ActivTrades, giving traders more tools for analysis. XTB also syncs watchlists between the mobile app and online account, so updates carry over both ways, while ActivTrades does not offer this feature. For traders who want stronger mobile charting and smoother watchlist syncing, XTB has the edge.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and ActivTrades both give traders helpful market research features, including daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar with global news events. Neither broker includes research from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, so their built-in research options are fairly similar in that respect.
The main difference is that ActivTrades offers forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while XTB does not. XTB still comes out ahead overall for research, with a 5-star rating and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with ActivTrades’ 4-star rating and #28 ranking.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
XTB and ActivTrades both give beginners plenty of learning material, including at least 10 forex or CFD-focused education pieces, monthly live webinars, and a wide range of videos for both new and more experienced traders. Each broker also offers at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so users can move from the basics to more detailed trading topics without leaving the platform.
That said, XTB has the edge for education overall. It earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #11 out of 36 brokers for the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #32. For beginners who want more well-rated learning support, XTB looks like the stronger choice, although ActivTrades still provides a solid range of educational tools.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB is better than ActivTrades. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 96 | 80 |
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XTB lets you buy both actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency CFDs, while ActivTrades only offers cryptocurrency CFDs and does not provide access to buy actual crypto.
XTB vs ActivTrades: neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers, both offer bank wire transfers and Skrill, only XTB supports PayPal, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | XTB | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10521 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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). | 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 | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.06 | 1.08 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | N/A | 0.92 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | 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 | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 92 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XTB Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | XTB | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | ActivTrades Review |
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