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.
Founded in 2008, Plus500 is a well-established online broker recognized for its high trustworthiness. With a Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 stands out in the industry. The company holds six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, signaling compliance with stringent regulatory standards. Notably, Plus500 is publicly traded, adding an extra layer of transparency to its operations.
In comparison, ActivTrades has been in the market since 2001 and holds a respectable Trust Score of 81, placing it in the trusted category. Although it is not publicly traded, ActivTrades manages to maintain credibility with two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. Like Plus500, ActivTrades operates without banking status, focusing purely on brokerage services. Both brokers offer investors different strengths, with Plus500 offering higher trust ratings and broader regulatory approvals.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Plus500 and ActivTrades, Plus500 is slightly more expensive than the industry average. Although it doesn't offer discounts to retail clients, Plus500 does provide cash rebates to those qualifying as Professional clients. In April 2024, the spread for EUR/USD at Plus500 averaged 1.5 pips, which is higher than typical industry rates. Plus500 receives a 4.0-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks #25 out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com.
ActivTrades presents a slightly better-than-average spread pricing framework while falling short when compared to the most competitive forex brokers. It features an Individual Account, with Professional and Islamic account types also available. However, the broker does not have specialized accounts focusing on high-volume trading or active trader pricing. The average spread for EUR/USD at ActivTrades was 0.98 pips in May 2024. Overall, ActivTrades also garners a 4-star rating for commissions and fees and comes in at #27 out of 62 brokers in the same category according to ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, both Plus500 and ActivTrades offer competitive commission structures with the main differences lying in their average spreads and account offerings. Plus500 has higher average spreads and caters specifically to Professional clients with rebates, while ActivTrades offers slightly better spreads with a more diversified range of account types, including options for Islamic traders. Both brokers receive 4-star ratings for their commissions and fees.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investments, Plus500 and ActivTrades offer different advantages for online traders. Both brokers allow forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, but Plus500 stands out with a significantly broader array of trading symbols, offering 5,500 compared to ActivTrades’ 1,267. Additionally, Plus500 provides access to 65 tradeable forex pairs, surpassing ActivTrades, which offers 49 pairs. Plus500 also allows clients to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, giving traders the option to purchase stocks like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Vodafone (VOD-GB) directly. In contrast, ActivTrades does not offer U.S. exchange-traded securities but does provide options for international shares.
For those interested in copy trading, ActivTrades has an edge as it supports this feature, whereas Plus500 does not. When it comes to cryptocurrency, neither broker facilitates the purchasing of actual cryptocurrencies, but both offer trading of cryptocurrency derivatives. In terms of ratings for range of investments, Plus500 holds a higher rating at 4.5 stars, being ranked 24th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, ActivTrades is rated 4 stars and holds the 31st spot. Overall, Plus500 offers a more extensive range of investment options, particularly with its inclusion of U.S. traded securities and a larger selection of forex pairs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools available at Plus500 and ActivTrades, both brokers provide their clients with unique features and advantages. Plus500 offers a user-friendly proprietary platform that is accessible through a web-based interface. While it does not support desktop-based trading or popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Plus500 users benefit from a variety of features including a virtual demo account for practice and a comprehensive set of drawing tools. Plus500 excels with 10 watch list columns and is rated 4.5 stars in trading platforms and tools, ranking 14th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, provides a broader range of trading options by supporting both MT4 and MT5 platforms in addition to its proprietary software. This broker also offers desktop-based trading and has options for copy trading, enhancing its appeal to traders seeking diverse functionalities. Despite offering fewer drawing tools than Plus500, ActivTrades allows trading directly from stock charts and supports 11 columns for watch lists. Rated at 4 stars, ActivTrades ranks 29th in the trading platforms and tools category by ForexBrokers.com, offering an appealing setup for those who value variety and flexibility in their trading experience.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Plus500 and ActivTrades provide trading apps for iPhone and Android, ensuring users can trade on the go. Both apps support critical features like price alerts for stocks and forex, as well as the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Plus500 stands out with an impressive 110 technical studies for charting, compared to ActivTrades' 30. This broader selection allows users to analyze the market in greater depth. Additionally, Plus500's app offers seamless watchlist symbol syncing with the online account, which is a feature missing in the ActivTrades app. However, when it comes to autosaving chart drawings, ActivTrades has the edge, allowing users to preserve their technical analysis across sessions.
Both apps support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts, catering to diverse trading strategies. But, Plus500 comes out on top with a higher user rating of 4.5 stars compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars. ForexBrokers.com ranks Plus500 at 14th place out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, while ActivTrades sits at 19th. This suggests that while both apps are competent, Plus500 offers a slightly more feature-rich environment for mobile trading. Whether you're a new trader or an experienced one, the enhanced charting tools and syncing capabilities might make Plus500 the preferred choice for those who prioritize detailed analysis and seamless integration across devices.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of Plus500 and ActivTrades, both brokers stand out for providing daily market commentary and an economic calendar featuring global events. Plus500 edges ahead with its inclusion of Trading Central's technical analysis tools, which ActivTrades lacks. Additionally, both brokers feature sentiment-based trading tools that display a ratio of long and short positions across various instruments. However, when it comes to sourcing forex news from top-tier providers like Bloomberg or Reuters, only ActivTrades pulls through, giving it an advantage in this area.
In terms of overall research ratings, Plus500 scores a 4.0-star rating, with a rank of 19 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades also garners a 4-star rating but is placed lower at 30th. Neither platform offers tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, indicating a similar limitation in these aspects. Choosing between the two may ultimately depend on specific needs, such as the importance of having access to premium forex news or the integration with Trading Central for enhanced analytical prowess.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Plus500 and ActivTrades offer comprehensive content focused on forex and CFDs. Each platform provides over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars that are ideal for those starting in trading. They both also host at least one online educational webinar each month and maintain an accessible archive of past webinars, which is hugely beneficial for learning at your own pace. Additionally, both brokers present at least ten beginner-oriented videos on trading topics, ensuring newcomers get a solid foundation in the financial market.
For those looking to advance their trading knowledge, Plus500 and ActivTrades each provide a range of advanced educational videos, catering to more experienced traders. However, neither platform offers an investor dictionary with a wide range of investing terms, which might be a drawback for some users. Despite this, Plus500 edges slightly ahead in educational rankings with a 4.0-star rating compared to ActivTrades’ 4-star rating. Plus500 is ranked 31st out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades holds the 38th position, making both platforms strong contenders in terms of educational offerings for traders at all levels.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 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 #33.
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
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Plus500 and ActivTrades allow users to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the ability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
When comparing Plus500 and ActivTrades for online trading, Plus500 distinguishes itself by supporting PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, whereas ActivTrades does not, but both brokers offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options while neither provides ACH or SEPA transfers.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 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 (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). 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 | 1.5 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | 0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | ActivTrades Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill