MT4/MT5 traders at ActivTrades get upgraded trading platforms due to seven quality plugins. Manual traders benefit from a cutting-edge proprietary trading platform that includes market sentiment, hedging, and quality trading charts. ActivTrades deploys a superb technology infrastructure, offers API trading for advanced algorithmic trading solutions, and maintains a dedicated institutional division.

XTB deploys its quality proprietary trading platform, available as a desktop client, web-based alternative, and mobile app. It provides features including sentiment analysis, market commentary, and simplified trade and risk management but only supports manual trading. While the absence of algorithmic, copy, and social trading is notable, XTB shines with its liquidity and order execution.

We have conducted an in-depth review of ActivTrades and XTB to determine which presents the better overall choice and which traders will benefit the most at either broker.

Headquarters
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Regulators
CNMV, CONSOB, FCA, FSC Mauritius, SCBN/A
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established
20012002
Execution Type(s)
Market MakerMarket Maker
Minimum Deposit
$0$0
Negative Balance Protection
N/A
Trading Platform(s)
Other, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Trading View+Proprietary platform
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
$10.000.1 pips ($1.00)
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
$14.000.2 pips ($2.00)
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.06$0.04
Average Trading Cost Gold
$42.00$0.36
Retail Loss Rate
83.00%N/A
Minimum Raw Spreads
Not applicableN/A
Minimum Standard Spreads
0.5 pipsN/A
Minimum Commission for Forex
Commission-freeN/A
Islamic Account
Signals
US Persons Accepted?
Managed Accounts
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Features and Platforms

MT4
MT5
cTrader
Proprietary Platform
Automated Trading
DOM?
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Scalping
Hedging
One-Click Trading
OCO Orders
Interest on Margin
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Noteworthy:

Both brokers offer beginners high-quality education, where XTB takes the lead, although ActivTrades features one-on-one training sessions. ActivTrades and XTB also publish in-house generated research.

Available Markets

Commodities
Crude Oil
Gold
Metals
Equity Indices
Stocks (non-CFDs)
N/A
ETFs
Options
N/A
Futures
Synthetics
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The balanced asset selection at ActivTrades consists of 1,000+ trading instruments. The choice of currency pairs is average but sufficient, but the choice of cryptocurrencies is minimal. XTB takes the lead in this category with a choice of 2,100+ assets to trade.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
$10.000.1 pips ($1.00)
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
$14.000.2 pips ($2.00)
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.06$0.04
Average Trading Cost Gold
$42.00$0.36
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin
$101.00$100.00
Minimum Raw Spreads
Not applicableN/A
Minimum Standard Spreads
0.5 pipsN/A
Minimum Commission for Forex
Commission-freeN/A
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ActivTrades presents Forex traders with a competitive commission-free pricing environment and industry-standard commissions for equity traders. XTB counters with lower minimum Forex trading costs and commission-free equity and ETF trading. Both brokers maintain a rebate program, lowering trading fees further, but XTB shines with its NDD execution model and industry-leading pricing environment.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator
Brazil, The Bahamas, Italy, Mauritius, Portugal, United KingdomBelize, Cyprus, Poland, United Kingdom
Name of the Regulator
CNMV, CONSOB, FCA, FSC Mauritius, SCBN/A
Regulatory License Number
434413, 199667 B, 43.050.917/0001-03, 433, 198, GB24203277000302/438, 522157, 169/12, 0000217580
Regulatory Tier
4, 1, 1, 1, 4, 24, 1, 1, 1
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ActivTrades and XTB both provide negative balance protection and segregate client deposits from corporate funds. ActivTrades bolsters its client protection with $1,000,000 in third-party liability insurance protection. XTB is a publicly listed company in Poland and one of the largest listed Forex and CFD brokers globally. Both rank equally from a security and trust perspective, backed by clean regulatory records and operational experience.

XTB vs ActivTrades – Verdict

ActivTrades

Pros
Title

Upgraded MT4/MT5 trading platforms and a cutting-edge proprietary alternative

Limited choice of cryptocurrencies
Excellent order execution due to superior technology infrastructure
Outstanding educational resources for beginners
Interest payments on free margin and volume-based cash rebate program

XTB

Pros
Cons
Outstanding trading costs, ranking among the best Forex spreads industry-wide
Limited deposit and withdrawal methods
Well-balanced asset selection with high leverage
Fast NDD order execution and deep liquidity
Quality training academy for beginner traders

ActivTrades provides algorithmic, copy, and social traders with a cutting-edge trading environment. Deep liquidity, excellent order execution, high leverage, and upgraded trading platforms deliver a competitive edge. Beginner traders get quality education and research services at both brokers, where ActivTrades offers one-on-one training sessions. XTB takes the overall lead as it maintains lower costs, higher leverage, and a broader choice of trading instruments.

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FAQs

What platform does XTB use?

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XTB only provides its proprietary trading platform, which is supportive of manual trading strategies.

Can you use XTB in the USA?

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XTB does not accept US-based traders.

What is XTB's leverage?

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The maximum XTB leverage offered is 1:500, dependent on the asset and trading instrument, and of course the maximum allowed by the relevant regulator.

Is XTB a legit broker?

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XTB is a publicly listed broker in Poland and one of the largest multi-asset brokers globally. XTB is fully compliant with five regulators and has a clean operational history, making it a legit and trusted broker.

How do I withdraw from XTB?

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The secure back office at XTB oversees all withdrawal requests for verified accounts using bank wires, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets.

Is ActivTrades regulated?

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ActivTrades has regulatory licenses in five jurisdictions with a spotless record.

Is ActivTrades an ECN?

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ActivTrades is not an ECN broker but a market maker.

Who owns ActivTrades?

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The founder of ActivTrades is Alex Pusco. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors. A detailed ownership structure for ActivTrades, a private company, is unavailable.