I’ve tested 16 spread betting brokers and found that ActivTrades offers an excellent range of trading products but lacks the low trading costs to be competitive. In this ActivTrades spread bet review, I’ll discuss my findings in greater detail based on my experience with the broker in live market conditions.
ActivTrades Summary
As a multi-asset broker, ActivTrades performed well in my range of market tests scoring 8/10 thanks to offering 1,000+ instruments including a good collection of 50 forex markets. The broker offers multiple platforms, providing access to advanced charting and features like progressive stop loss and pullback entry orders, which are great if you trade breakouts.
Overall, I gave ActivTrades a score of 56/100 as the broker underperformed in several categories, including Trading Costs, compared to its competitors, such as Pepperstone and Spreadex. Although it did offer competitive EUR/USD spreads at 0.90 pips, the other 8 currencies tested were more expensive than the industry average, making the broker’s overall spreads expensive.
* 83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
ActivTrades doesn’t offer multiple trading account types. Instead, it provides spread-only pricing through its spread betting account with no additional commissions. The spreads are variable, meaning they can widen or tighten throughout the trading day based on market conditions.
I used my live ActivTrades account to test the spreads during typical London trading hours. My testing found ActivTrades quite competitive, with spreads averaging 0.90 pips on the popular EUR/USD currency pair. This spread is decent, considering the minimum spread I saw was 0.50 pips, while the highest was 1.10 pips. Some variance is expected, and an average of 0.90 pips puts ActivTrades amongst brokers with the lowest spreads.
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Spread Bet Spreads
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0.90 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 1.30 | 2.20 |
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0.80 | 1.10 | 1.40 | 1.00 | 1.40 |
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1.00 | 1.10 | 1.50 | 1.20 | 1.50 |
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0.90 | 1.20 | 1.40 | 1.10 | 1.80 |
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0.85 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 0.82 | 1.77 |
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1.10 | 1.30 | 1.60 | 1.20 | 1.60 |
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1.20 | 1.30 | 1.30 | 1.20 | 1.70 |
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1.00 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 1.80 |
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1.00 | 1.30 | 1.60 | 1.30 | 1.50 |
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1.30 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
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0.90 | 1.20 | 1.60 | 1.50 | 1.80 |
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1.10 | 1.50 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 1.70 |
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1.20 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.40 | 1.80 |
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1.90 | 1.20 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 1.70 |
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1.40 | 1.70 | 1.60 | 1.40 | 1.80 |
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1.40 | 1.40 | 1.70 | 1.90 | 1.70 |
Avg. spreads are taken from each broker's website and updated monthly. Last update on 20/09/2024
Finding a broker with low spreads is important to reducing your overall trading costs. I think ActivTrades strikes a good balance, offering competitive spreads on some major currency pairs while being slightly higher on others.
| Activtrades Average Spread | Average Industry Spread | |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.90 | 1.12 |
| AUD/USD | 1.3 | 1.26 |
| EUR/GBP | 1.4 | 1.35 |
| GBP/USD | 1.4 | 1.53 |
| USD/JPY | 1.3 | 1.26 |
| AUD/JPY | 2.0 | 1.86 |
| EUR/JPY | 2.2 | 1.85 |
| USD/CAD | 2.0 | 1.69 |
| USD/SGD | 2.2 | 2.81 |
To help calculate how spreads impact trading fees, use the fee calculator I created to compare ActivTrades with their main competitors.
Calculate Your Cost To Spread Bet
Total Cost of Spread Bet
Total Cost of Spread Bet
Total Cost of Spread Bet
Total Cost of Spread Bet
ActivTrades offers more than just forex spread betting, so I compared the next most popular instrument to trade: shares. ActivTrades have a slightly higher fee than the industry average.
| Share Category | Activtrades Spread | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| UK Shares | 5pt | 5.19pt |
| US Shares | 0.15% | 0.16% |
| Geman Shares | 0.20% | 0.15% |
| Hong Kong Shares | 0.25% | 0.20% |
| Australian Shares | 0.20% | 0.17% |
Checking ActivTrades’ other markets, I was impressed to see FTSE 100 index spreads averaging a low 0.68 points, with the minimum at 0.60 points. The tight spread didn’t deviate much in my tests, making it one of the lowest index spreads. Gold spreads also stood out, with an average of 0.45 points, which matches the industry average from my experience.
Verdict on ActivTrades’ Spreads
ActivTrades offers competitive spreads for its major markets, competing with some of the lowest brokers in the industry, especially in the EUR/USD and FTSE 100 markets. This makes ActivTrades an attractive, cost-effective choice if you want to keep trading costs down.
ActivTrades offers multiple platforms for spread betting, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary ActivTrader platform. This variety caters to different trading styles and preferences, which I think is a strong point for the broker.
I found that ActivTrades offers a default version of the MT4 platform, giving you access to all its original tools. The user-friendly interface puts the charts front and centre, which is one feature I’ve always liked about MetaTrader 4.
You can access 30 built-in indicators, providing a solid technical analysis foundation. These indicators, paired with the platform’s 24 drawing tools, make conducting technical analysis fairly straightforward. Some tools you can use include Fibonacci retracement, moving averages, and Bollinger Bands, which come pre-installed with MetaTrader 4.
ActivTrades also allows you to automate your spread bets on MT4 by taking advantage of the platform’s Expert Advisors. You’ll need to know how to program or download EAs from the MetaQuotes Marketplace if you want to automate your strategies, as the broker doesn’t provide any tools to develop EAs.
The MT5 platform has a similar design and many of the same indicators as MT4, but some advanced features have been added. For instance, the depth of market tool provides a clearer view of liquidity and order flow, which can help find hidden support and resistance levels for your analysis.
I also liked the new native economic calendar, which helps keep track of important market events without leaving the platform. This integration can be a real time saver when planning trades around economic releases, especially if you scalp the markets and potentially trade into an event that causes a bad trade.
Thanks to under-the-hood performance upgrades, MT5 lets you spread bet on individual shares you can’t do on MT4. So, if your strategy involves share betting and trade automation, MT5 is likely the better choice.
It also expands your analysis options with more granular timeframes (21 total) and a larger collection of pre-installed technical indicators compared to MT4.
ActivTrades’ proprietary web-based platform, ActivTrader, impressed me with its features and ease of use. Being web-based is an advantage as it allows you quick access from any computer without downloading or installing software.
The platform leverages TradingView’s charting capabilities, which, in my opinion, offers the best charting experience among the three options. With over 100 indicators and sentiment indicators, I found it provides extensive technical and sentiment analysis tools.
One risk management feature that caught my attention was the progressive trailing stops. This trailing stop loss allows you to specify up to two price tiers that change the distance of your trailing stop once hit. I think this is particularly useful for maximising profits or limiting losses in strongly trending markets.
Another interesting feature for breakout traders is the pullback entry option. This entry allows you to enter a trade after a price retracement in a trending market, potentially providing better entry points.
The main drawback I found with ActivTrader is the lack of custom indicators and automated trading capabilities. You’re limited to the 100+ indicators provided, which, while comprehensive, may not suit traders who rely on custom indicators.
ActivTrades offers mobile apps for all three platforms – MT4, MT5, and ActivTrades – available on iOS and Android devices.
The ActivTrader mobile app was the best option for me as it shares many of the top features of the web version. It allows easy account management and trade execution on the go. The mobile-friendly TradingView charts were a standout feature, making chart analysis on a small screen surprisingly manageable.
While the MT4 and MT5 apps also offer decent charting and account management capabilities, I felt the mobile app version functionality was basic compared to their desktop version.
I also noticed that these apps don’t allow you to edit or manage your Expert Advisors or custom indicators. This could be an issue if you rely heavily on automated trading strategies.
All the mobile apps support push notifications, which I found extremely useful. Getting alerts for filled orders or price alerts allows for quicker reactions when away from your computer.
Verdict On ActivTrades Trading Platforms
The ActivTrader web platform is excellent for spread betting, especially with its user-friendly interface and advanced features like progressive trailing stops and pullback entries.
MetaTrader 4 and 5 are solid choices if you want a more traditional trading experience, with MT5 getting the edge for share betting and automated trading. All three platforms performed well in my tests, and the mobile apps make it easy to stay engaged with the markets wherever you are.
Yes, ActivTrades is a safe and long-standing company established in 2001 (20+ years of experience) with over 100,000 traders and 500,000,000+ trades executed since launching. It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Financial Regulation
I found that ActivTrades is a well-regulated broker by the FCA, a major trust signal for me as a spread bettor. Being FCA-regulated provides several benefits, such as segregating client funds, providing negative balance protection, and accessing the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Moreover, ActivTrades goes above and beyond by insuring each client’s account funds up to £1,000,000, surpassing the standard FSCS protection of £85,000. This extra protection can give you peace of mind, especially when dealing with larger sums.
Although not necessary, the broker is regulated by multiple authorities in different jurisdictions like Europe, including:
This demonstrates that the broker has been approved by several reputable regulators, further enhancing confidence in the broker’s operations.
Reputation
In my research, I’ve found that ActivTrades has built a solid reputation over its two decades in operation. Their recent accolade as the “Best Spread Betting Broker” by International Investor Magazine in 2023 speaks volumes about their current standing in the industry. With 100,000 traders choosing ActivTrades, I believe this positively reflects their reliability and service quality.
ActivTrades Reviews
I find it helpful to view other traders’ experiences, and TrustPilot provides valuable client insights you can access for free. ActivTrades scores an impressive 4.4 out of 5 based on 1,194 UK reviews, earning an “Excellent” rating. With over 1,000 positive reviews, this is a strong signal for me that ActivTrades is a well-liked broker and provides excellent services that keep its clients happy to bet with them.
Verdict on ActivTrades’ Trustworthiness
It’s clear that ActivTrades is a trustworthy brokerage with multiple regulatory approvals, a wealth of industry experience behind it, and a large client base. This isn’t a broker that popped up overnight. Instead, it’s earned its accolades from its appraisals from the industry and, more importantly, its customers.
I’ve found ActivTrades to be a versatile multi-asset spread betting broker. They offer around 1,000 financial spread betting markets, ranging from forex to commodities.
Forex
I found that ActivTrades offers a decent selection of over 50 forex pairs, covering majors, minors, and exotic pairs. While it may not be the largest collection available, it does include the most popular markets for trading forex, like EUR/USD and GBP/USD.
Commodities
The broker offers 14 markets, which I think strikes a good balance of metals, energy, and soft commodities. You get access to the main players, such as gold, silver, and oil, which are essential for any commodities trader, while offering soft commodities like cocoa and wheat.
Indices
ActivTrades provides spread betting on 19 major global stock indices, including the S&P 500, Dow Jones, DAX 40, and FTSE 100. I appreciate having access to these key benchmarks, allowing you to take positions on the overall performance of these markets.
Shares
With over 600 markets across 11 stock exchanges, including the US, UK, and European markets, I was impressed by the breadth of companies available to trade.
ETFs
ActivTrades’ ETF selection is comprehensive, with over 120 ETFs available for spread betting. I found the variety here impressive, ranging from commodity-tracking ETFs like gold to more niche options like Bitcoin ETFs. These products are excellent if you want to gain exposure to specific sectors or themes without the cost and balance of trading individual stocks.
Bonds
While ActivTrades’ bond offering is modest with seven markets, I found it to be a valuable inclusion. They cover key European and US markets, including EURO BUND and US T-BONDs. Although the choice is limited, I appreciate that they offer bond markets, as some brokers don’t provide this option.
Verdict On ActivTrades Trading Products
ActivTrades’ 1,000+ markets across forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, and bonds is a great selection that will appeal to most spread bettors. I like that the broker offers more niche financial instruments like bonds and ETFs, as these markets serve to hedge the markets that some brokers leave out.
I found that ActivTrades offers standard deposit methods like debit cards and bank transfers, but they also include PayPal. This is a great addition, as PayPal provides an extra layer of security and convenience if you prefer this popular e-wallet.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that ActivTrades does not require a minimum initial deposit. This low minimum is a benefit, especially if you are just starting or want to test the platform with a smaller investment. It allows for greater flexibility and reduces the barrier to entry for spread betting.
ActivTrades offers multiple account-based currencies to fund your account, including GBP, USD, EUR, CHF, and SEK.
I was impressed by the range of deposit methods ActivTrades offers, including debit and credit cards, bank transfers, Neteller, Skrill, AstroPay, and Sofort. To make my deposit while testing the broker, I used a bank transfer, which was processed within several hours. The broker does offer a fast turnaround time after funding your account, as all other payment methods are typically available for trading within 30 minutes of processing.
However, I was disappointed to find that ActivTrades charges a 1.5% fee on all credit and debit card deposits. While I understand this is to cover the charges from card providers, I wasn’t a fan of this approach. Many brokers absorb these costs, so it’s worth considering if you frequently use cards for deposits.
Funds can be withdrawn within one business day, which I think is a reasonable timeframe. Most withdrawal options are free of charge, which is a plus. However, it’s worth noting that ActiveTrades charges a £9 fee for bank transfers, so that’s something to keep in mind when choosing your withdrawal method.
ActivTrades makes it easy to open a live account, with the application process being 100% online. The application is similar for all spread betting brokers, asking questions regarding your market knowledge, risk tolerance, and financial/employment details, which is compulsory due to FCA requirements.
Depending on the time of day you apply, I believe they target a same-day review to open your account as fast as possible. In my case, my account was approved and ready to bet within an hour of applying (including submitting my KYC and AML documents).
Verdict On ActivTrades Funding
ActivTrades offers a range of payment methods to deposit and withdraw from the broker, and it is backed by fast processing times. Although the broker offers no fees for most methods, I was disappointed with the 1.5% fees on debit/credit cards and the £9 withdrawal fee for bank transfers.
In my tests, I found that ActivTrades’ execution speeds lived up to their advertised rate of 0.004 seconds. This speed is crucial for ensuring your stop loss and take profit orders are filled at the expected price. The broker achieves these speeds by using IBM Cloud infrastructure to reduce latency.
As a market maker with no dealing desk, ActivTrades can execute trades very quickly. I encountered no speed issues or rejected orders during my time on the platforms.
ActivTrades’ primary support channel is Live Chat, which operates 24/5, making it easy to reach out whenever you need assistance. I liked that it didn’t take long to connect to a human agent, nor did it force me to chat with an A.I bot, which I’m never a fan of. The Live Chat support was swift and helpful in answering my questions, showing that the support staff knew how to handle trading and technical support.
If you want faster support or prefer talking to someone, ActivTrades also provides phone support. You can either contact them directly or request a callback, which saves you time waiting in the queue, which I like. It’s good to see this as a support option as most brokers rely too much on Live Chat support, which doesn’t suit everyone—especially if it comes to complicated issues.
The forex broker also offers a self-service Help Centre, which is convenient if you prefer to find answers on your own for issues like installing a platform or making a withdrawal.
Verdict On ActivTrades Customer Service
ActivTrades opens multiple channels for you to get around-the-clock customer support, with phone calls and live chat being their best options, in my opinion. I found the customer service friendly and knowledgeable across all account management and trading support aspects.
ActivTrades offers decent market analysis from their in-house analysts while providing weekly educational webinars.
ActivTrades Market Analysis
I found the market analysis provided by ActivTrades’ in-house analysts to be decent as they cover the latest market news and data releases, which I think is great.
What impressed me most was the depth of their commentary, supported by detailed charts and data tables. I particularly liked how they break down complex market events into digestible insights, making it easier to understand the potential impact of their analysis regardless of your betting experience.
ActivTrades Educational Webinars
ActivTrades hosts weekly educational webinars, which I had the opportunity to attend during my review. These webinars cover topics such as reviewing current markets, live trading sessions, and sharing trading strategies. I found the webinars helpful if you already have a basic understanding of trading concepts. However, if you are completely new to trading, ActivTrades doesn’t offer many educational materials covering the fundamentals for beginners.
ActivTrades Demo Account
ActivTrades demo account comes with £10,000 in virtual funds, which I think is a generous amount for testing strategies and getting a feel for the platform. The demo account is available for an unlimited time, allowing you to thoroughly familiarise yourself with the ActivTrader platform and test its trading conditions without any pressure. In my opinion, it’s an excellent way to practise spread betting and determine if ActivTrades’ offering aligns with your trading style before committing to real funds.
Verdict On ActivTrades Research and Education
The research made available by ActivTrades in-house analysts is decent but not earth-shattering information if you know how to trade the markets. I think it suits newer bettors or those who bet infrequently. The education is lacklustre as the material I found was just webinars which focused on topics like trading strategies and risk management.
ActivTrades provides a good value option if you focus on spread betting forex and indices, as the broker achieved top marks with some of the lowest spreads in this category. I think offering MetaTrader 4 and 5 is smart as these platforms will appeal to most traders due to their versatility and customisation options.
Plus, they are the only spread betting platforms that let you automate your bets across the broker’s 1,000+ markets. However, I think you should consider that the broker charges deposit and withdrawal fees on the most popular payment methods, which is off-putting.
ActivTrades spread betting leverage is maxed at 30:1 for forex major pairs and goes as low as 5:1 for spread betting shares. The broker offers higher leverage, but you must be a professional trader with a professional account, which grants access to leverage up to 400:1.
Spread betting involves speculating on the price movement of a financial market without owning the underlying asset. Traders bet on whether the price will rise or fall, and profits or losses are based on the accuracy of the wager rather than a simple win-or-lose outcome.
CFD trading involves speculating on price movements of financial assets without owning the underlying asset. Traders buy or sell CFDs based on whether the asset’s price rises or falls, and profits or losses result from the price movement.
Spread betting can be profitable if done correctly with a proven trading strategy, proper risk management, and years of experience. Your best chance is to focus on one or two markets, like EUR/USD and GBP/USD, instead of trying to trade several markets simultaneously.
No, cryptocurrency is one of a few asset classes not available to retail investor accounts in the United Kingdom as it is a restricted product by the FCA. A CFD broker can offer the derivative to experienced traders, but you must be classified as a professional trader under the FCA to qualify.
This review focuses exclusively on UK spread betting brokers. We compared trading accounts from FCA-regulated brokers offering spread betting services. For consistency, we primarily evaluated accounts using the MetaTrader 4 platform.
Our Methodology:
Our goal is to provide UK traders with well-informed recommendations for the best spread betting brokers in the market.
You can learn more about how we perform our spread bet broker reviews on our methodology page.
