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.
Founded just a year apart, XTB in 2002 and ActivTrades in 2001, these two online brokers offer strong regulatory credentials but differ in a few key areas. XTB, which is publicly traded, boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96, placing it in the highly trusted category. While both XTB and ActivTrades hold two Tier-1 licenses, considered highly trusted, XTB takes an edge with an additional Tier-2 license, totaling two. This contributes to its superior trust rating compared to ActivTrades, which holds one Tier-2 license and earns a Trust Score of 81, situated firmly in the trusted category.
Neither XTB nor ActivTrades operates as a bank, ensuring their focus remains on providing excellent brokerage services. While investors might find comfort in XTB's public trading status, both brokers are well-regulated, offering similar assurances in terms of safety and reliability. Despite ActivTrades not being publicly traded, its reputable licenses contribute to its credibility, though it somewhat trails XTB in trust metrics. Potential clients should weigh these aspects alongside their trading needs when choosing the right broker.
| 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 deliver competitive commissions and fees for forex traders, with small differences in their average EUR/USD spreads. In recent samples, ActivTrades averaged 0.98 pips (May 2024), while XTB averaged 1.0 pip (Q4 2023). That puts ActivTrades slightly under the industry average and XTB roughly in line with it; neither matches the very lowest-cost brokers.
XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account that’s reserved for elective professionals in the U.K. and EU—and the Pro option is being phased out and not actively promoted. For most retail traders, the Standard account is the practical choice, especially at smaller trade sizes, with a minimum deposit of 250 base currency. High-volume clients can join XTB’s Lower Spread Group, which pays spread rebates from 5% up to 30% once monthly volume hits 20 to 1000 lots. ActivTrades uses one primary “Individual” account, plus Professional and Islamic options; spreads are the same across account types, there’s no dedicated high-volume account, and no active-trader pricing.
Ratings and rankings for commissions and fees: XTB earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades earns 4/5 stars and ranks #21 out of 63. Bottom line: ActivTrades posts a slightly tighter recent EUR/USD average, but XTB offers volume-based rebates and a low entry deposit that may appeal to frequent traders seeking potential spread givebacks.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 1.08 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 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.
Comparing the range of investments, XTB covers more markets than ActivTrades. XTB lists about 10,900 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, while ActivTrades offers about 1,267 symbols and 49 pairs. Both brokers support forex trading (CFD/spot), giving you access to major, minor, and selected exotic currencies.
XTB also stands out for access to exchange-traded stocks on both U.S. and international exchanges; ActivTrades provides exchange-traded international shares but not U.S.-listed ones. For crypto, both brokers let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs, but neither lets you buy the actual coins. Copy trading is available at ActivTrades but not at XTB. Reflecting these differences, XTB earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 14th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades earns 4 stars and ranks 25th.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10900 | 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) | 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). | 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.
Both XTB and ActivTrades offer free demo accounts, trading directly from charts, proprietary platforms, and the choice of a Windows desktop download or a web-based platform you can run in your browser. The big differences come from third‑party options: XTB does not support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and does not offer copy trading, while ActivTrades supports both MT4 and MT5 and includes copy trading. If you want MetaTrader’s ecosystem, automated strategies, or the ability to mirror other traders, ActivTrades has the edge. If you prefer a streamlined in‑house platform experience, XTB is a strong pick.
For trading platforms and tools, ForexBrokers.com rates XTB at 4.5 out of 5 stars (ranked 9th out of 63 brokers) and ActivTrades at 4 stars (ranked 26th). In short, choose ActivTrades if MetaTrader or copy trading matters most; choose XTB if you want a high‑rated proprietary platform on desktop and web with convenient chart‑based order entry.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 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, with price alerts available on each. For charting, XTB includes 39 technical studies while ActivTrades offers 30. Both apps let you draw trendlines and automatically save your drawings. One shared drawback is that watchlist symbols don’t sync between the mobile app and the online account, so changes on one won’t carry over to the other.
Ratings and rankings tilt in XTB’s favor: XTB’s mobile app earns 4.5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades earns 4 stars and ranks #21. If you want more built-in indicators and a higher-rated app, XTB has the edge; if you just need the essentials on both iPhone and Android, ActivTrades covers the basics.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and ActivTrades both cover the basics of market research very well. Each provides daily market commentary, real-time forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and a clear economic calendar for upcoming events. Both also include a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long and short positions. Neither broker offers add-on research from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
When it comes to scores, XTB stands out: it earns 5 stars for Research and ranks 9th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades earns 4 stars and ranks 26th. If you want strong day-to-day insights, either platform works; if ratings and overall research standing matter most, XTB has the edge.
| Feature |
XTB
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | 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 deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFDs education. Each broker offers a library well beyond 10 pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, and they both host client webinars at least once a month. For newcomers, each provides at least 10 beginner videos that explain trading basics in plain language, while also offering at least 10 advanced videos so you can keep learning as you gain experience.
Where they differ is in overall quality and recognition. XTB earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades holds 4 stars and ranks #30. If you want the deepest learning path with higher-rated materials, XTB has the edge. If you’re looking for a solid set of beginner resources with regular webinars, ActivTrades is still a good pick.
| 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’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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ActivTrades
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 96 | 81 |
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When comparing online brokers XTB and ActivTrades for cryptocurrency trading, neither supports buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs.
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 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 81 | |
| 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 SCA 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) | 10900 | 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) | 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). | 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) - Standard account | 0.92 | 1.08 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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) | 39 | 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 Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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) | Yes | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XTB Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | XTB | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | ActivTrades Review |
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