Comparison of Plus500 vs ActivTrades [ 2024 ]

The best brokers to invest in cryptocurrencies compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is thePlus500 vs ActivTrades comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Plus500

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

activtrades

ActivTrades

Main points

Fees

Low 3,7/6

Regulated

FCA, CySEC

Demo account

Yes
Low 3,8/5

Fees

FCA, CySEC

Regulated

Yes

Demo account

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

No
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

No

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.0 – Plus500 provides good value with tight spreads and no commission on trades. The inactivity fee after three months and currency conversion fees are potential downsides .
3.8 – ActivTrades offers competitive spreads on crypto CFDs and no deposit or withdrawal fees for most methods. However, the commissions and overnight fees can add up .

Level

Low 3,7/6
Low 3,8/5

Brief explanation

Plus500’s commission structure is designed to be straightforward, primarily utilizing the market spread. This means that the cost to trade is embedded in the difference between the buy and sell prices, rather than in explicit fees. For example, spreads can vary from 0.02% to 2%, depending on the cryptocurrency and market conditions. While this can be competitive, it may be higher compared to other platforms, especially for less liquid assets. In addition to the spread, Plus500 charges an overnight funding fee, which applies when positions are held open past a certain time. This fee can be either a charge or a credit, depending on the direction of the trade and the current interest rates. Additionally, there is a currency conversion fee for trades conducted in a currency different from the account’s base currency. Plus500 also implements an inactivity fee of up to $10 per month if no login activity occurs for three months, which continues to accrue until the account is active again. Despite these potential costs, Plus500 does not charge for deposits or withdrawals, which is a significant advantage. Users can fund their accounts via various methods including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal. This fee structure makes Plus500 accessible and predictable for users, with the primary costs tied to the actual trading activity and specific conditions of the account .
ActivTrades charges competitive spreads on its cryptocurrency CFD trades, making it an attractive option for those looking to trade without high transaction costs. The platform’s spread is the primary cost, which varies depending on the cryptocurrency being traded. Additionally, ActivTrades imposes an overnight financing fee for positions held beyond a day, a standard practice among CFD brokers. The spread and overnight fees are key factors for traders to consider, as they can impact profitability, especially for long-term positions. The platform does not charge any deposit fees for most methods, although there are specific charges for credit/debit card deposits outside the UK and EEA. Withdrawal fees are also minimal, with free withdrawals via most methods except for some bank transfers, particularly in non-EEA regions. It’s important to note the £10 monthly inactivity fee for accounts that are dormant for over a year, which can add up if the account is not actively used .

Plus500

ActivTrades

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Account Minimum

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Product selection

Native token

Plus500 does not have a native token.
ActivTrades does not have a native token.

Earns

Plus500 does not offer staking or earning options for cryptocurrencies. It focuses on trading crypto CFDs .
ActivTrades does not offer options to earn with cryptocurrencies through staking or similar programs .

NFT marketplace

Plus500 does not have an NFT marketplace.
ActivTrades does not have an NFT marketplace.

Cripto/debit card

Plus500 does not offer a card for its clients .
ActivTrades does not offer a card for its clients .

Company information

Full name

Plus500 Ltd​​.
ActivTrades Plc​​.

Regulation

FCA (UK), ASIC, CySEC, FMA (New Zealand), FSCA (South Africa), MAS​​.
FCA (UK), CSSF (Luxembourg), SCB (Bahamas)​​.

Year founded

2008​​
2001​​

Founder

Alon Gonen, Shimon Sofer, Shlomi Weizmann, Elad Ben-Izhak, Gal Haber, Omer Elazari​​
Alex Pusco​​

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes, Plus500 accepts bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals .
Yes, ActivTrades accepts bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals .

Mastercard

Yes, Plus500 accepts Mastercard for deposits​​.
Yes, ActivTrades accepts Mastercard for deposits​​.

Wire transfer

Wise is not mentioned as a supported payment method .
Wise is not mentioned as a supported payment method .

Card

Yes, Plus500 accepts credit/debit cards .
Yes, ActivTrades accepts credit/debit cards .

Comparative table

Plus500 Features ActivTrades
Firstrade allows low minimum trade amounts, making it accessible for beginners to start investing in cryptocurrencies.
Minimum Trade
Minimum trade size is flexible, starting from 0.01 lots, making it accessible for all traders.
The platform offers competitive trading fees, although some users might find hidden costs associated with certain transactions.
Trading and Transaction Fees
Competitive spreads but high inactivity fees after a year of no trading.
Firstrade supports over 30 cryptocurrencies, providing a good range of options for investors.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Offers a decent selection of major and minor crypto CFDs, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
While it offers a variety of cryptocurrencies, the number of available trading pairs is somewhat limited compared to other platforms.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Limited pairs available; focus mainly on major cryptocurrencies.
Firstrade’s website is transparent and informative, clearly outlining fees, security measures, and available services.
Website Transparency
Comprehensive information available, but financial data is not publicly disclosed.
Plus500 does not offer a card for its clients .
Credit/Debit Card
ActivTrades does not offer a card for its clients .
Firstrade lacks a dedicated cryptocurrency wallet, requiring users to use third-party services for storing their digital assets.
Storage Offering
No actual crypto storage; trades are conducted via CFDs.
The platform currently does not offer staking or reward programs, which can be a downside for users looking to earn passive income.
Staking and Rewards
No staking or reward programs available.
Firstrade offers a highly rated mobile app and a robust desktop platform, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
Mobile App and Desktop
High-quality, user-friendly apps for both mobile and desktop trading.
Firstrade’s customer service is reliable but not available 24/7, which can be an inconvenience for users needing assistance outside business hours.
Customer Service
Responsive customer service via multiple channels, though not 24/7.
Firstrade offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, although the lack of instant processing for some methods can be a drawback.
Deposit and Withdraw
Free deposits and withdrawals via several methods, but high fees for USD bank transfers.

Key features

Analysis tools

Plus500 offers a WebTrader platform with advanced charting tools and technical indicators. They also provide innovative tools such as +Insights and Traders’ Sentiment for market analysis .
ActivTrades provides high-quality daily market analysis and offers the ActivTrader platform, which includes advanced charting tools, technical indicators, and mobile trading capabilities .

Mobile APP

Yes, Plus500 offers a user-friendly mobile app for trading CFDs on cryptocurrencies and other instruments .
Yes, ActivTrades provides mobile trading through the ActivTrader, MT4, and MT5 platforms, which are available for iOS and Android devices .

Security

Plus500 is regulated by several top-tier authorities, including the FCA and ASIC. They offer negative balance protection for CFD trading and are listed on the London Stock Exchange, enhancing transparency and security​​.
ActivTrades is highly regulated by top-tier authorities such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), providing a high level of security. They offer negative balance protection and additional insurance up to £1 million per client through Lloyd’s of London​​.

Additional features

Plus500 is a CFD trading platform offering a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. They provide a user-friendly WebTrader platform and a mobile app with powerful research tools. Plus500 offers competitive spreads and operates under multiple regulations, ensuring a secure trading environment. However, they do not allow the direct purchase of cryptocurrencies, only trading on price movements through CFDs .
ActivTrades offers a variety of features for cryptocurrency trading. They support crypto CFDs, allowing users to trade major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and many others without needing to deal with wallets or exchanges. The platform also includes high-quality daily market analysis, 24/5 customer support, and free webinars to enhance trading skills. Additionally, ActivTrades provides a VPS service for better trading efficiency and security .

Anonymity

Plus500 requires identity and residence verification during the account opening process, so anonymous accounts are not supported .
ActivTrades does not offer anonymous accounts. The account opening process requires personal details, financial information, and documents for identity verification, such as an ID or passport and a utility bill .

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

Plus500 offers trading in cryptocurrency CFDs. The available cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), NEO, Ripple (XRP), IOTA, Stellar (XLM), EOS, Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Cardano (ADA), Tron (TRX), and Monero (XMR)​​.
ActivTrades offers trading in cryptocurrency CFDs. The available cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Polkadot (DOT), EOS, Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), NEO, Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), Binance Coin (BNB), Monero (XMR), Avalanche (AVAX), and Dogecoin (DOGE)​​.

User-friendliness

Plus500 is known for its intuitive WebTrader platform, which simplifies the process of trading cryptocurrency CFDs. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with a clean and minimalist interface that makes it easy to navigate. Plus500’s focus on CFDs means users do not own the underlying assets, which can be a limitation for those looking to hold actual cryptocurrencies .
ActivTrades offers a straightforward and user-friendly experience for crypto CFD trading. The platform is designed to make trading accessible even for those with minimal technical knowledge, avoiding the complexities associated with setting up wallets and managing private keys. ActivTrades is ideal for users looking for a secure and regulated environment to trade major cryptocurrencies without dealing with the intricacies of crypto exchanges .

Value for money

Plus500 offers solid value for money with no deposit or withdrawal fees and a user-friendly platform. Its tight spreads and zero commission on trades are major benefits, although the minimum withdrawal amounts and inactivity fees could be drawbacks​​.
ActivTrades offers competitive spreads on crypto CFDs, and the absence of deposit and withdrawal fees enhances its value for money. However, the 0.5%-1.5% fee on credit/debit card deposits and certain bank transfer fees for non-EEA clients can add up​​.

Countries of operation

United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel, United Arab Emirates .
United Kingdom, European Union, Bahamas .

Best for

Plus500 is ideal for traders who want a simple and intuitive platform for trading cryptocurrency CFDs without the need to manage actual crypto assets. It’s best for those who prefer a straightforward, user-friendly experience with competitive spreads​​.
ActivTrades is best suited for investors who prefer a regulated and secure environment for trading crypto CFDs without the need to manage wallets and private keys. It’s ideal for those who want to leverage their trades and have access to a range of major cryptocurrencies​​.

Account

Trading

Plus500 supports crypto CFD trading with a user-friendly interface and a variety of cryptocurrencies. It offers leverage and competitive spreads, making it accessible to both new and experienced traders.
ActivTrades offers crypto CFD trading, allowing users to speculate on price movements without owning the actual cryptocurrencies. This platform provides leverage and tight spreads, making it attractive for active traders.

Deposit and withdrawal

Plus500 supports deposits and withdrawals through bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets. Transactions are generally processed quickly, though some methods may incur small fees.
ActivTrades offers fast and mostly free deposits and withdrawals. You can use bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets. However, withdrawals under a certain amount may incur fees.

Account opening process

The account opening process at Plus500 is quick and fully digital. Users fill out an online form with personal and financial information, and submit verification documents. Accounts are usually approved within one business day.
The account opening process at ActivTrades is fully digital and straightforward. Users need to fill out an online application form, provide personal and financial information, and submit identity verification documents. The account is typically approved within a day.

KYC required?

KYC verification is mandatory at Plus500. Users need to provide identification documents and proof of address during the account opening process.
Yes, KYC (Know Your Customer) is mandatory at ActivTrades. Users must provide personal identification documents and proof of address during the account opening process.

Customer Service

Plus500 offers customer support through live chat and email, but does not provide phone support. The support is available 24/7 and is known for being responsive and efficient, though the lack of phone support can be limiting.
ActivTrades offers excellent customer service with 24/5 support via phone, email, and live chat. The support team is known for being responsive and helpful, making it easy for users to resolve their issues quickly.

Security

Plus500 is regulated by several top-tier authorities, including the FCA and ASIC. They offer negative balance protection for CFD trading and are listed on the London Stock Exchange, enhancing transparency and security​​.
ActivTrades is highly regulated by top-tier authorities such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), providing a high level of security. They offer negative balance protection and additional insurance up to £1 million per client through Lloyd’s of London​​.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

As an expert at our website, I find Plus500 to be a robust and user-friendly platform for trading cryptocurrencies. Its intuitive interface makes it ideal for beginners, while its range of available cryptocurrencies ensures that even more experienced traders can find what they need. The lack of commission fees is a significant advantage, allowing users to trade more cost-effectively. However, it’s essential to be mindful of the spreads and potential withdrawal fees. Overall, Plus500 offers a secure and efficient environment for cryptocurrency trading, backed by strong regulatory oversight and advanced security measures.
As an expert in cryptocurrency trading, I’ve explored numerous platforms, and ActivTrades stands out as a reliable option for crypto CFD trading. The platform is ideal for those who value security and regulation without the need to manage the technical complexities of owning actual cryptocurrencies. With ActivTrades, you can trade popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum through CFDs, allowing for both long and short positions with leverage up to 1:10. This makes it a flexible choice for traders looking to speculate on price movements in the crypto market. However, there are areas for improvement. ActivTrades charges a high inactivity fee after a year of no trading, which could be a significant drawback for less active users. Additionally, the platform is not available to residents in the USA and Canada, limiting its accessibility. Despite these drawbacks, ActivTrades’ robust regulatory framework and user-friendly trading options make it a strong choice for those looking to trade cryptocurrencies in a secure environment​​.

How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

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