Manual traders at ActivTrades get a cutting-edge proprietary trading platform, while MT4/MT5 traders get seven quality plugins. ActivTrades operates on a quality infrastructure built on the IBM Cloud, offers API trading for advanced requirements, and pays traders interest on free margin. Beginners will benefit from excellent educational resources, including one-on-one training and webinars.
Admirals upgrades MT4/MT5 with the excellent MetaTrader Supreme Edition package, the SteroTrader upgrade, and services by Trading Central. It developed a proprietary mobile app and an in-house social trading platform. Asset management services exist via a partnership with Finexware, and Admirals introduced fractional share investments. It also presents quality educational content and research.
We have conducted an in-depth review of ActivTrades and Admirals to determine which presents the better overall choice and which traders will benefit the most at either broker.
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- Admirals versus ActivTrades - Verdict
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Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
Regulators | CNMV, CONSOB, FCA, FSC Mauritius, SCB | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCS |
Tier 1 Regulator(s)? | ||
Owned by Public Company? | ||
Year Established | 2001 | 2001 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker | Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
Negative Balance Protection | N/A | |
Trading Platform(s) | Other, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Trading View+ | Other, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5+ |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | $10.00 | 0.1 pips ($1.00) |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | $14.00 | 0.1 pips ($1.00) |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.06 | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $42.00 | $0.25 |
Retail Loss Rate | 83.00% | N/A |
Minimum Raw Spreads | Not applicable | N/A |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.5 pips | N/A |
Minimum Commission for Forex | Commission-free | N/A |
Islamic Account | ||
Signals | ||
US Persons Accepted? | ||
Managed Accounts | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Features and Platforms
| | |
MT4 | ||
MT5 | ||
cTrader | ||
Proprietary Platform | ||
Automated Trading | ||
DOM? | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Scalping | ||
Hedging | ||
One-Click Trading | ||
OCO Orders | ||
Interest on Margin | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Noteworthy:
Both brokers offer quality market commentary, but Admirals includes a Premium service and provides actionable trading signals for its traders.
Available Markets
| | |
Commodities | ||
Crude Oil | ||
Gold | ||
Metals | ||
Equity Indices | ||
Stocks (non-CFDs) | N/A | |
ETFs | ||
Options | N/A | |
Futures | ||
Synthetics | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Traders at both brokers get a balanced asset selection, where Admirals’ 8,000+ trading instruments trumps the 1,000+ at ActivTrades. Neither broker offers Forex traders a very broad choice of currency pairs, with 48 at ActivTrades and 50 at Admirals. Retail traders have sufficient assets at either broker, but Admirals caters better to advanced requirements.
Typical Spreads and Fees
| | |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | $10.00 | 0.1 pips ($1.00) |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | $14.00 | 0.1 pips ($1.00) |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.06 | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $42.00 | $0.25 |
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin | $101.00 | $125.60 |
Minimum Raw Spreads | Not applicable | N/A |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.5 pips | N/A |
Minimum Commission for Forex | Commission-free | N/A |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Both brokers offer a competitive pricing environment and have a volume-based rebate program. While minimum costs at ActivTrades are lower than at Admirals, average fees remain cheaper at Admirals, especially for major currency pairs where they are as low as $3.60 per lot.
Security and Trust
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Country of the Regulator | Brazil, The Bahamas, Italy, Mauritius, Portugal, United Kingdom | Australia, Cyprus, Jordan, Kenya, United Kingdom, South Africa |
Name of the Regulator | CNMV, CONSOB, FCA, FSC Mauritius, SCB | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCS |
Regulatory License Number | 434413, 199667 B, 43.050.917/0001-03, 433, 198, GB24203277 | 595450, 201/13, 410681, 51311, 178, 57026 |
Regulatory Tier | 4, 1, 1, 1, 4, 2 | 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2 |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Segregation of client deposits and negative balance protection applies at ActivTrades and Admirals, and both have subsidiaries with an investor compensation fund, where Admirals takes the lead. Both maintain equally secure and trustworthy environments, confirmed by their spotless regulatory track record. ActivTrades protects all clients with a $1,000,000 third-party liability insurance policy.
Admirals vs ActivTrades – Verdict
ActivTrades
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Upgraded MT4/MT5 trading platforms and a cutting-edge proprietary alternative | No choice of account types |
| Excellent order execution due to superior technology infrastructure | |
| Outstanding educational resources for beginners | |
| Interest payments on free margin and volume-based cash rebate program |
Admirals
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Industry-leading upgrades to the MT4/MT5 trading platforms | Industry-leading upgrades to the MT4/MT5 trading platforms |
| Low trading costs for traders and investors | A higher minimum deposit for traders but within a reasonable range |
| Proprietary copy trading service and fractional share dealing | |
| Excellent trading services for asset managers |
Admirals offers traders and investors one of the most balanced and competitive trading environments, consisting of low trading costs, a well-balanced asset selection, and quality trading tools. ActivTrades offers a similar core environment with fewer assets and higher fees but shines with its exceptional educational portfolio, including one-on-one training sessions. Therefore, it remains a better and high-quality choice for beginners.
You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:
- Admirals vs IG Markets
- Admirals vs RoboMarkets
- Admirals vs Plus500
- ActivTrades vs Pepperstone
- ActivTrades vs IC Markets
- ActivTrades vs XTB
FAQs
Is ActivTrades a market maker?
ActivTrades is a market maker but uses an automated system. It profits directly from client losses where it remains the direct counterparty.
Is ActivTrades legit?
ActivTrades is a legit broker with 20+ years of experience, compliant with five regulators, and a clean track record. It established itself among the most trusted brokers.
What is the minimum deposit for Admirals?
The minimum deposit at Admirals is $25, but it depends on the payment processor and geographic location of traders.
Is Admirals regulated?
Admirals has licenses from five regulators, where it maintains a spotless track record and 20+ years of experience.