A
ActivTrades
3.6 / 5Score: 3 / 4
Commission-free, multi-regulated trading with leverage up to 1:400 across forex, CFDs, and crypto.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:400
- Spread from
- 0.5 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, CySEC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 11/4/2026
ActivTrades vs OCBC Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
ActivTrades and OCBC Securities serve very different trader profiles, one built for global forex and CFD traders, the other for Singapore-based equity investors. Our 2026 analysis breaks down fees, regulation, platforms, and leverage to help you decide which fits your strategy.
OS
OCBC Securities
3.3 / 5Score: 1 / 4
A trusted Singapore institution offering spreads from 0 pips for cost-conscious equity investors.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- MAS
Overall Winner
ActivTrades
Best for Beginners
ActivTrades
Lowest Fees
OCBC Securities
Top Regulation
ActivTrades
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | A ActivTrades | OS OCBC Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.6 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 2001 | 1986 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Singapore |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC | MAS |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | $0.18/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Proprietary Web | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, iOCBC |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Etf, Indices, Forex |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
ActivTrades
$0
OCBC Securities
$0
Spreads From
ActivTrades
0.5 pips
OCBC Securities
0 pips
Commission
ActivTrades
None
OCBC Securities
$0.18/lot
Deposit Fees
ActivTrades
None
OCBC Securities
None
Withdrawal Fees
ActivTrades
None
OCBC Securities
None
Pros & cons
A
ActivTrades
Pros
- Higher overall rating of 3.6/5 on our independent scoring system
- No per-trade commission charges on top of spreads
- Significantly higher leverage ceiling of up to 1:400
- Backed by two tier-1 regulators for added client protection
- Wide market coverage including crypto and commodities
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
Cons
- Spreads start wider at 0.5 pips versus OCBC Securities's 0 pips
- Higher leverage increases risk for inexperienced traders
- Younger company history compared to OCBC Securities's 1986 founding
- No dedicated proprietary mobile-first app branding like iOCBC
OS
OCBC Securities
Pros
- Tighter headline spreads starting from 0 pips
- Long operating history dating back to 1986
- Backed by the reputable OCBC banking group
- Regulated by the respected Monetary Authority of Singapore
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Strong local credibility for Singapore-based investors
Cons
- Lower overall rating of 3.3/5 on our independent scoring system
- Leverage capped at just 1:5, limiting active trading strategies
- Charges a $0.18 per-lot commission on top of spreads
- Single regulatory licence compared to ActivTrades's two
- Narrower market selection with no crypto or commodity access
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner ActivTrades
Lowest fees OCBC Securities
Best regulation ActivTrades
Better for beginners ActivTrades
ActivTrades takes the win in this matchup, earning a 3.6/5 on our rating system compared to OCBC Securities's 3.3/5. ActivTrades pulls ahead thanks to its tier-1 multi-jurisdiction regulation, commission-free CFD trading, and significantly higher leverage ceiling of 1:400. OCBC Securities still holds a genuine edge for cost-conscious equity investors, offering spreads from 0 pips and a longer 40-year operating history, but its 1:5 leverage cap and single-regulator setup limit its appeal for active forex and CFD traders.
Regulation & Safety
Both brokers operate under credible, tier-1 regulatory oversight, so capital safety is not a major differentiator here, but the structure of that oversight does matter. ActivTrades is licensed by both the FCA in the UK and CySEC in Cyprus, giving it two independent regulatory frameworks and broader client protection coverage across multiple jurisdictions.
OCBC Securities, by contrast, is regulated solely by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), a highly respected regulator but a single point of oversight. For traders who value redundancy and multi-region compliance, ActivTrades offers a slightly more robust safety net.
Neither broker has flagged withdrawal or deposit fees, which is a positive for both. Ultimately, both are safe, established choices, but ActivTrades's dual-licence structure gives it a narrow edge on our regulatory scoring.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
This is where OCBC Securities genuinely shines. It advertises spreads from 0 pips, undercutting ActivTrades's starting spread of 0.5 pips, making it the sharper choice for traders who prioritize raw spread cost above all else.
However, OCBC Securities charges a per-lot commission of $0.18, while ActivTrades charges no commission at all on top of its spread. Depending on trade frequency and size, ActivTrades's all-in cost can end up more competitive for active traders despite the wider headline spread.
Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees, which keeps account administration costs neutral. For high-frequency forex and CFD traders, ActivTrades's commission-free model is often simpler to calculate and budget around.
Leverage & Trading Conditions
The leverage gap between these two brokers is substantial. ActivTrades offers leverage up to 1:400, giving active forex and CFD traders significant capital efficiency and flexibility to size positions aggressively.
OCBC Securities caps leverage at just 1:5, a conservative figure that reflects its focus on traditional equity and ETF investing rather than leveraged speculative trading. This makes OCBC Securities far less suited to short-term forex or CFD strategies.
Traders seeking amplified exposure on smaller account sizes will find ActivTrades's trading conditions considerably more accommodating, while long-term equity investors may actually prefer OCBC Securities's lower-leverage, lower-risk structure.
Platforms & Market Access
ActivTrades supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms alongside its own proprietary web platform, giving traders access to a mature ecosystem of indicators, expert advisors, and automated strategies.
OCBC Securities runs on its own proprietary web and mobile platforms plus the iOCBC app, built specifically around Singapore market access and equity-focused research tools rather than algorithmic forex trading.
Market breadth also differs meaningfully. ActivTrades covers Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto, while OCBC Securities focuses on Stocks, ETFs, Indices, and Forex. Traders wanting crypto or commodity CFD exposure will need to look to ActivTrades.
Company Background & Track Record
OCBC Securities carries the weight of a much longer institutional history, founded in 1986 and backed by the OCBC banking group in Singapore, giving it deep regional credibility and trust among local investors.
ActivTrades is comparatively younger, founded in 2001 in London, but has built a strong international reputation among retail forex and CFD traders over more than two decades.
Headquarters location also matters for support and market relevance: ActivTrades's London base aligns with global FX trading hours, while OCBC Securities's Singapore base makes it a natural fit for APAC-focused equity investors.
Our Verdict
ActivTrades earns the higher overall rating of 3.6/5 versus OCBC Securities's 3.3/5, driven by its dual tier-1 regulation, commission-free pricing, broader asset selection, and far higher leverage ceiling.
OCBC Securities remains a credible, lower-risk option for Singapore-based investors who prioritize tight spreads on equities and prefer a single, highly trusted local regulator over leveraged CFD trading.
For most active forex, CFD, and multi-asset traders, ActivTrades delivers the stronger overall package, while OCBC Securities suits a narrower, more conservative equity-investing audience.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
ActivTrades wins overall
ActivTrades edges out OCBC Securities overall based on our expert rating score.
A
Highest Rated
ActivTrades
3.6 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.6/5).
ActivTradesBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
ActivTradesLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
OCBC SecuritiesStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
ActivTrades
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, ActivTrades scores higher overall at 3.6 out of 5 compared to OCBC Securities's 3.3 out of 5. ActivTrades's edge comes from its dual regulation, commission-free model, and much higher leverage. That said, the right choice depends on whether you prioritize active CFD trading or conservative equity investing, as detailed in our full verdict above.
OCBC Securities advertises tighter headline spreads starting at 0 pips versus ActivTrades's 0.5 pips, but it also charges a $0.18 per-lot commission. ActivTrades charges no commission at all. Depending on your trade size and frequency, ActivTrades's all-in cost can actually work out lower for active traders.
Both brokers offer accessible entry points, with ActivTrades requiring a $0 minimum deposit and OCBC Securities also requiring $0. This makes both brokers easy to access for traders of nearly any starting capital level.
ActivTrades is regulated by both the FCA in the UK and CySEC in Cyprus, giving it two tier-1 regulatory frameworks. OCBC Securities is regulated solely by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Both are reputable, but ActivTrades's dual-licence structure offers broader jurisdictional protection.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own proprietary web platform, catering well to algorithmic and manual forex traders. OCBC Securities runs proprietary web and mobile platforms alongside its dedicated iOCBC app, built around Singapore equity market access.
ActivTrades offers significantly higher leverage of up to 1:400, suited to active forex and CFD traders seeking capital efficiency. OCBC Securities caps leverage at just 1:5, reflecting its conservative, equity-focused investment approach.
ActivTrades supports crypto trading alongside forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, and commodities, offering a genuinely diverse asset range. OCBC Securities does not list crypto among its markets, focusing instead on stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex.
Yes, nothing prevents you from opening accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders use ActivTrades for leveraged forex and CFD exposure while maintaining an OCBC Securities account for long-term Singapore equity and ETF investing.
OCBC Securities has the longer track record, founded in 1986 and backed by the established OCBC banking group in Singapore. ActivTrades was founded later in 2001 but has since built a strong international reputation among forex and CFD traders.
ActivTrades is rated as the stronger option for beginners in our assessment, thanks to its zero minimum deposit, commission-free structure, and widely supported MetaTrader platforms with extensive educational resources. OCBC Securities can still suit beginner equity investors specifically based in Singapore who prefer lower-leverage, simpler stock investing.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.