IronFX vs ActivTrades

IronFX or ActivTrades – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare IronFX and ActivTrades in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

IronFX vs ActivTrades Comparison Table 2025
IronFX ActivTrades
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3.8
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4
IronFX is ranked #37 among CFD brokers. ActivTrades is ranked #57 among CFD brokers.
Review
Review
IronFX, established in 2010, is a highly regulated broker specialising in forex and CFDs. This acclaimed company provides access to over 500 markets for more than 1.5 million clients in 180 countries. Traders benefit from multiple account options with competitive rates via the MT4 platform, alongside 24/5 customer support available in 30 languages. ActivTrades, a UK-based CFD and forex broker since 2001, is renowned for its award-winning services. It holds licences from esteemed regulators, including the UK’s FCA. The firm offers trading on more than 1,000 instruments across seven asset classes, with an impressive 93.60% of trades executed at the desired price.
Pros
  • In addition to MT4, the broker also provides various services such as copy trading, a VPS solution, and PAMM/MAM accounts.
  • IronFX offers both fixed and floating spread accounts, appealing to novices and seasoned traders alike.
  • Traders gain access to the renowned Trading Central research tool, featuring automated AI analytics and round-the-clock support.
  • IronFX is a well-established firm regulated by respected authorities such as the CySEC, FCA, and FSCA.
  • The broker regularly hosts trading competitions with cash rewards and provides welcome bonuses for new clients.
  • The IronFX Academy provides outstanding educational resources for traders of all levels, from beginners to advanced.
  • ActivTrades provides competitive spreads, especially for forex trading, starting at 0.5 pips on major currency pairs without extra commissions. Additionally, the €/£10 inactivity fee is only applied after 52 weeks, benefiting active traders.
  • While cTrader isn't supported, MT4, MT5, TradingView, and the broker's ActivTrader platform accommodate various trading requirements. The firm's web-based platform has proven user-friendly and visually appealing for novices during testing.
  • ActivTrades is a reputable firm with over 20 years in the financial sector. It holds authorizations from three top-tier regulatory bodies, according to DayTrading.com's Regulation & Trust Rating. For UK traders, it offers enhanced protection with £1 million in investor compensation, surpassing the £85,000 provided by the FSCS, should the firm face insolvency.
  • Based on our tests, ActivTrades offers swift and reliable support via live chat, email, and phone in multiple languages. This makes it an excellent choice for both traders and newcomers seeking quality assistance.
  • With execution speeds averaging 4ms and an order completion rate of 93.6%, ActivTrades provides an outstanding platform for traders. It supports rapid strategies without imposing limits on short-term approaches.
Cons
  • It is unfortunate that the broker lacks advanced software options like MT5 or TradingView, restricting choice for seasoned traders.
  • Commissions in zero-spread accounts begin at £13.50 per lot, almost twice the industry standard.
  • In comparison to top brokers, IronFX provides a limited range of share CFDs.
  • The platform lacks features for copy or social trading, which is a disadvantage for traders interested in passive investing or replicating the trades of seasoned traders. This is particularly evident when compared to eToro and Vantage.
  • The selection of over 1,000 markets includes forex, commodities, indices, and ETFs. However, the overall choice of asset classes is limited, with no stocks available outside the US, UK, and Europe. In comparison, BlackBull provides access to more than 26,000 markets.
  • Its research tools are decent, although somewhat lacking. The expanding 'Analysis' hub is useful, but the absence of Trading Central or Autochartist means advanced technical insights are missing. This limitation may hinder traders seeking to spot opportunities in volatile markets.
  • ActivTrades needs improvement in educational resources to compete with firms like XTB and CMC Markets. While it offers well-presented and informative webinars, the selection of courses and quizzes remains limited, hindering a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience for traders.
Awards
  • Best Online Trading Platform (2019)
  • Best Broker of the Year (2019)
  • Most Trustworthy Forex Broker Global (2019)
  • Best Online Trading & Financial Services Company (2020)
  • Best Online Forex Trading Platform (2021)
  • International Online Currency Trading Platform of the Year (2021)
  • Most Outstanding Online Trading Partners Program (2022)
  • Safest Global Broker 2023 - International Investor Magazine
  • Best Online Trading Services 2023 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Forex Broker Europe 2022 - Forex-Awards.com
  • Most Trusted Global FX Broker 2022 - International Investor Magazine
  • Best CFD Broker 2021 - Rankia
  • Safest Global Broker 2021 - International Investor Award Winners
  • Best FX Broker 2021 - Le Fonti Award
FCA Regulated
Yes Yes
Instruments
Forex, Indices, Shares, Futures, Commodities, Metals (all CFDs) CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, ETFs, Futures, Cryptos (location dependent)
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$100 $0
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
CySEC, FCA, FSCA, BMA / Bermuda FCA, CMVM, CSSF, SCB
Mobile Apps
Android, iOS, WebTrader iOS & Android
Trading App

ActivTrades provides a choice of mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. The proprietary ActivTrader app and support for MT4, MT5, and TradingView give access to real-time market data, advanced charting tools, and customizable trading features. All four apps let you trade and manage you accounts intuitively, but ActivTrades boasts the most seamless trading experience, combining the broker’s ultra-fast execution speeds with dynamic charting and research tools.
iOS App Rating
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2.1
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4.9
Android App Rating
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2.5
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3.8
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
No Yes
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No Yes
Autochartist
Yes No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
Yes No
STP Account
Yes Yes
ECN Account
Yes No
DMA Account
No No
MAM Account
Yes No
PAMM Account
Yes No
LAMM Account
Yes No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
Yes Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
Yes No
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader Yes (APIs), Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader
Copy Trading
Yes No
Copy Trading Platform
The TradeCopier service enables aspiring investors to mirror the strategies of leading traders instantly. This tool offers novices an opportunity to learn from seasoned investors, while strategy providers have the potential to earn performance fees.
Social Trading
Yes No
Trade Signals
Yes Yes
VPS Hosting
Yes No
Tournaments
Yes No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
3% €/£10
Islamic Account
Yes Yes
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • PLN
  • CZK
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CHF
Commodities
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Copper
  • Corn
  • Cotton
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
  • Oil
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Platinum
  • Palladium
  • Gold
  • Oil
  • Natural Gas
  • Wheat
  • Copper
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Corn
  • Orange Juice
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Silver
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
CFD
IronFX offers over 300 instruments across forex, equities, commodities, and index CFDs. Leverage varies from 1:30 to 1:1000, based on the trader's account location. Exceptional technical analysis tools are available, featuring 30 built-in indicators and 9 different chart time frames. ActivTrades specialises in CFD trading, providing access to over 1,000 instruments, including currencies, shares, indices, and commodities. Renowned for its award-winning trading environment, the broker ensures swift and dependable order execution, coupled with clear margin requirements for traders.
Leverage
1:30 (FCA), 1:30 (CySEC), 1:500 (FSCA), 1:1000 (BM) 1:30 (UK and EU), 1:400 (Global & Pro)
FTSE Spread
140 0.6
GBPUSD Spread<
0.8 0.8
Oil Spread
3 0.03
Stocks Spread
Variable Variable
Forex
IronFX provides a robust choice of 80 currency pairs for traders. Utilise the market-leading MT4 platform, which includes various forex research tools. However, be aware that commission fees in zero-spread accounts are steep, starting at $13.50 per lot. ActivTrades provides competitive fees in forex, offering excellent spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD starting from 0.5 pips, with no commission charges. The enhanced ActivTrades platform, along with the renowned MetaTrader 4, equips traders with essential tools to navigate the FX market with confidence.
Assets
80+ 50+
GBPUSD Spread
0.8 0.8
EURUSD Spread
0.7 0.5
EURGBP Spread
0.9 0.8
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
Trade over 15 popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Engage in trading these digital assets 24/7, with transparent fees. Access up to 1:10 leverage on leading tokens like BTC.
Spread
Variable
Coins
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • LTC
  • BCH
  • DOT
  • EOS
  • LINK
  • XLM
  • NEO
  • ADA
  • SOL
  • XRP
  • BNB
  • XMR
  • AVAX
  • DOGE
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No No
Auto Market Maker
No No
IronFX ActivTrades
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