PC
Phillip Capital
3.7 / 5Score: 3 / 4
Nearly five decades of institutional trust, backed by tier-1 MAS and ASIC regulation with near-zero spreads.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- MAS, ASIC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 8/27/2026
Phillip Capital vs ActivTrades: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Phillip Capital and ActivTrades both offer competitive trading conditions, but only one comes out on top in our proprietary 2026 analysis. We break down fees, regulation, platforms, and more to help you decide with confidence.
A
ActivTrades
3.6 / 5Score: 1 / 4
MetaTrader-powered flexibility with high leverage and broad market access, including crypto.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:400
- Spread from
- 0.5 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, CySEC
Overall Winner
Phillip Capital
Best for Beginners
Phillip Capital
Lowest Fees
Phillip Capital
Top Regulation
Phillip Capital
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | PC Phillip Capital | A ActivTrades |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.7 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Founded | 1975 | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Singapore | London, UK |
| Regulation | MAS, ASIC | FCA, CySEC |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Commission | $0.08/lot | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:5 | 1:400 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile | MT4, MT5, Proprietary Web |
| Markets Offered | Stocks, Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities | Forex, Cfd, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Phillip Capital
$0
ActivTrades
$0
Spreads From
Phillip Capital
0 pips
ActivTrades
0.5 pips
Commission
Phillip Capital
$0.08/lot
ActivTrades
None
Deposit Fees
Phillip Capital
None
ActivTrades
None
Withdrawal Fees
Phillip Capital
None
ActivTrades
None
Pros & cons
PC
Phillip Capital
Pros
- Holds tier-1 licences from both MAS and ASIC for strong regulatory protection
- Offers exceptionally tight spreads starting from 0 pips
- Nearly 50 years of operating history builds long-term trust
- Zero deposit and withdrawal fees keep account costs simple
- No minimum deposit requirement makes it accessible to new traders
- Higher overall independent rating of 3.7/5
- Transparent low flat-rate commission structure
Cons
- Maximum leverage is capped at just 1:5, far lower than industry norms
- No cryptocurrency trading available
- Only proprietary platforms offered, no MetaTrader support
- Fewer supported platforms (2) compared to competitors
- May feel restrictive for traders wanting algorithmic trading tools
A
ActivTrades
Pros
- No per-trade commission simplifies cost calculations
- Significantly higher maximum leverage of up to 1:400
- Broader market access with six total asset classes, including crypto
- Supports three trading platforms including industry-standard MT4 and MT5
- Regulated by respected FCA and CySEC authorities
- No minimum deposit requirement lowers the entry barrier
Cons
- Wider spreads starting from 0.5 pips versus competitors offering 0 pips
- Lacks tier-1 MAS or ASIC style regulatory backing
- Slightly lower overall independent rating of 3.6/5
- Higher leverage options may encourage excessive risk-taking for inexperienced traders
- Shorter operating history compared to more established rivals
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Phillip Capital
Lowest fees Phillip Capital
Best regulation Phillip Capital
Better for beginners Phillip Capital
Phillip Capital is our recommended pick overall, earning a 3.7/5 rating compared to ActivTrades's 3.6/5 on our independent scoring system. Phillip Capital's combination of tier-1 regulatory oversight from MAS and ASIC, near-zero spreads from 0 pips, and nearly five decades of operating history give it the edge for most traders. That said, ActivTrades remains a strong contender for those who want higher leverage, crypto exposure, or the familiarity of MetaTrader platforms.
Regulation & Safety
Regulatory strength is often the single most important factor for serious traders, and this is where Phillip Capital pulls ahead. The broker is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), two of the most respected tier-1 regulators in the world.
ActivTrades is no slouch either, holding licences from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Both regulators offer meaningful client protections, including segregated funds and investor compensation schemes.
Ultimately, both brokers are well-regulated and safe choices for retail traders in most jurisdictions. However, our rating system gives a slight nod to Phillip Capital thanks to its dual MAS/ASIC oversight and decades-long unblemished operating history dating back to 1975.
Fees & Spreads
Cost of trading is a major differentiator in this matchup. Phillip Capital advertises spreads starting from an ultra-tight 0 pips, paired with a low commission structure of $0.08 per lot on relevant instruments.
ActivTrades, by contrast, starts spreads from 0.5 pips but does not charge a separate per-trade commission, which may appeal to traders who prefer simplified, all-in pricing. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome feature on both sides.
For high-frequency or volume-based traders, Phillip Capital's tighter raw spreads combined with its low flat commission will likely work out cheaper over time. Casual traders who value pricing simplicity may still find ActivTrades's commission-free model easier to budget around.
Trading Platforms & Tools
ActivTrades holds a clear advantage in platform variety, supporting the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 alongside its own proprietary web platform. This gives traders access to a massive ecosystem of expert advisors, custom indicators, and automated trading tools.
Phillip Capital instead relies on its own proprietary web and mobile platforms. While these are functional and tailored to the broker's specific market offerings, they lack the third-party plugin support and widespread familiarity of MetaTrader.
Traders who already have a library of MT4/MT5 tools or strategies will find ActivTrades far more convenient to switch into. Those who are newer to trading or don't require algorithmic trading support may not notice a meaningful difference.
Markets & Leverage
ActivTrades offers a broader market selection with six asset classes, including cryptocurrency exposure that Phillip Capital does not provide. ActivTrades also offers significantly higher maximum leverage at 1:400, compared to Phillip Capital's more conservative 1:5 cap.
Phillip Capital still covers the core essentials well, with access to stocks, forex, CFDs, indices, and commodities. The lower leverage ceiling reflects its more conservative regulatory environment and risk profile under MAS and ASIC rules.
Aggressive traders seeking amplified exposure or crypto CFDs will lean toward ActivTrades. Conservative investors and those trading larger core asset classes without high leverage will find Phillip Capital's offering more than sufficient.
Company Background & Trust
Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Singapore, Phillip Capital brings over 50 years of financial services experience to the table, lending significant institutional credibility. ActivTrades, founded in 2001 and based in London, UK, is comparatively newer but still has a two-decade track record.
Both companies have built solid reputations in their respective regions, but Phillip Capital's longer operating history and broader Asia-Pacific regulatory footprint give it a slight trust advantage in our scoring model.
Our Verdict
When all criteria are weighed together, Phillip Capital edges out ActivTrades with a 3.7/5 rating against 3.6/5. Its combination of tier-1 MAS and ASIC regulation, tighter spreads, and long operating history make it the stronger all-around package for most traders in 2026.
ActivTrades remains an excellent alternative for traders who prioritize MetaTrader compatibility, higher leverage, or crypto CFD access. Ultimately, your choice should be guided by which specific features matter most to your individual trading strategy.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Phillip Capital wins overall
Phillip Capital edges out ActivTrades overall based on our expert rating score.
PC
Highest Rated
Phillip Capital
3.7 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.7/5).
Phillip CapitalBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Phillip CapitalLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Phillip CapitalStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Phillip Capital
Frequently asked questions
According to our independent rating system, Phillip Capital edges out ActivTrades with a 3.7/5 score compared to 3.6/5. Phillip Capital's advantage largely comes from its tier-1 MAS and ASIC regulation and tighter spreads, though ActivTrades remains competitive for traders who value MetaTrader access and higher leverage. Your ideal choice ultimately depends on your personal trading priorities.
Phillip Capital offers tighter raw spreads starting from 0 pips plus a low $0.08 per lot commission, while ActivTrades starts spreads from 0.5 pips with no separate commission charged. For active or high-volume traders, Phillip Capital's structure often works out more cost-effective, while ActivTrades's commission-free model can be simpler for casual traders to track.
Neither broker imposes a minimum deposit requirement, both listing $0 as the entry threshold. This makes both platforms highly accessible to beginner traders who want to start with a smaller initial account balance without pressure to fund a large sum upfront.
Phillip Capital is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), both considered tier-1 regulators. ActivTrades is regulated by the UK's FCA and Cyprus's CySEC, also reputable authorities. Both are considered safe, but Phillip Capital's dual tier-1 licences give it a slight edge in our regulatory scoring.
Phillip Capital offers its own proprietary web and mobile trading platforms, while ActivTrades supports the widely-used MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 in addition to its own proprietary web platform. Traders who rely on MT4/MT5 expert advisors and custom indicators will find ActivTrades far more accommodating.
ActivTrades offers cryptocurrency CFD trading as part of its six total asset classes, while Phillip Capital does not currently support crypto trading. If digital asset exposure is a priority for your portfolio, ActivTrades is the more suitable option between the two.
ActivTrades offers significantly higher maximum leverage of up to 1:400, while Phillip Capital caps leverage at a much more conservative 1:5. This difference stems from each broker's regulatory environment, and traders should weigh the increased risk that comes with higher leverage carefully.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from maintaining accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many experienced traders diversify across multiple platforms to take advantage of different market access, platform tools, and regulatory protections offered by each.
Phillip Capital earns our award for best broker for beginners, largely due to its zero minimum deposit, straightforward fee structure, and strong regulatory backing that offers peace of mind to newer traders. Its lower leverage cap also naturally limits excessive risk-taking, which can benefit those still learning the ropes.
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.