Forex Broker Inactivity Fee Comparison: Broker Fees

What Is a Forex Broker Inactivity Fee?

A forex broker inactivity fee is a charge that a broker may apply when a trading account remains unused for a specified period. Depending on the broker, inactivity may mean no trades have been opened or closed, no qualifying account activity has occurred, or the account has remained unused according to the broker's terms.

If you are comparing broker costs, you can review the trading conditions and account information available through FBS. Before opening an account, it is worth checking both trading charges and non-trading fees, including whether an inactivity fee applies to your specific account and legal entity.

Inactivity fees matter most to occasional traders, people who maintain several brokerage accounts, and anyone who deposits money but does not trade regularly. A broker may offer competitive spreads and commissions but still charge for an account that remains dormant.

Quick answer: Some forex brokers do not charge inactivity fees, while others apply monthly or quarterly charges after a defined period without trading. The exact policy depends on the broker, its legal entity, the account agreement, and the applicable jurisdiction.

This comparison reviews selected brokers using their published information available in October 2026. Policies can change, so confirm the latest terms before depositing funds.

Forex Broker Inactivity Fee Comparison Table

The following table summarizes selected brokers. “No fee” means the cited broker information explicitly states that no inactivity fee is charged. Where a current official inactivity-fee policy could not be verified, the table says so rather than assuming the fee is zero.

Sources: FBS legal documents, Exness archived-account policy, Pepperstone fees, eToro inactivity-fee help, AvaTrade fees, and IC Markets EU FAQs.

Important: These are not necessarily the terms that apply to every client worldwide. Broker groups can operate multiple legal entities with different rules. Always identify the entity that will hold your account.

1. FBS Inactivity Fee: What Should Traders Check?

FBS is relevant to traders comparing forex broker fees, but an important distinction must be made: the public information reviewed for this article did not establish a definitive, current inactivity-fee amount or prove that every FBS entity charges no inactivity fee.

You can review the broker's official legal documents before opening an account.

Check the following points:

• Does the client agreement specify an inactivity or dormancy fee?
• How does the agreement define an inactive account?
• Does the fee apply after a specific number of days or months?
• Can the broker archive an account without charging a fee?
• Does the policy differ by country or legal entity?
• What happens to funds remaining in an inactive account?
• Are there conditions for reactivating the account?

This distinction matters because account archiving is not automatically the same as an inactivity fee. A broker may disable or archive a trading account after a period without activity without deducting a dormancy charge.

For traders considering FBS, verify the current agreement applicable to your residence and account before assuming that inactivity is free.

2. Exness Inactivity Fee: Is an Archived Account Charged?

Exness's Help Center states that it does not charge fees for inactive accounts or for reactivating archived accounts. Its real trading accounts may be archived after a period of inactivity, and traders can restore archived accounts through their Personal Area or the Exness Trade app.

See the official Exness archived-account guide.

This makes Exness relevant for traders who want to keep an account available without paying a separate inactivity fee.

However, account archiving can still affect convenience. An archived trading account may need to be restored before normal trading functions become available again.

Traders should also distinguish inactivity fees from other charges. A broker may have no dormant-account fee while still applying spreads, commissions on selected account types, overnight financing, or other fees related to actual trading activity.

The lesson is straightforward: check inactivity rules separately from the broker's regular trading-cost schedule.

3. Pepperstone Inactivity Fee: No Fee, but Accounts May Be Archived

Pepperstone states that it does not charge account-keeping or inactivity fees. However, it may archive accounts with a balance below ten units of currency when they have not been used to trade for three or more months.

Its published information explains that archived accounts can be reactivated through the client area.

Source: Pepperstone costs and fees.

For an occasional trader, this is an important distinction. A dormant account may require reactivation, but that is not the same as a monthly fee being deducted from the balance.

Pepperstone's pricing page also explains that costs depend on account type. Its Standard account generally incorporates CFD trading costs into the spread, while its Razor account uses raw-spread-plus-commission pricing for forex and spot gold CFDs.

That information is useful because inactivity fees are only one part of broker selection. If you trade frequently, spread and commission costs may matter much more than dormancy charges.

4. eToro Inactivity Fee: Updated Policy

eToro's Help Center states that, effective May 28, 2026, it no longer charges an inactivity fee. It says users who stop using their accounts or do not log in for an extended period will not incur inactivity charges on their available balance.

Source: eToro official Help Center.

This is a useful reminder to check the date of any broker-fee article you read. Older comparison pages may still show an inactivity charge that no longer applies.

Nevertheless, a zero inactivity fee does not mean that every service is free. eToro's other fees can vary by product, account currency, payment method, and country. Check the fee schedule relevant to your account rather than relying on the inactivity policy alone.

For traders who leave an account unused, the current policy removes one potential source of balance erosion. Other account obligations and applicable product fees should still be reviewed.

5. AvaTrade Inactivity Fee: A Higher-Cost Example

AvaTrade's official fee page states that an inactivity fee may be deducted after three consecutive months of non-use and again for each successive inactivity period. The published fee is:

• USD account: $50
• EUR account: €50
• GBP account: £50

AvaTrade also describes an annual administration fee after 12 consecutive months of non-use:

• USD account: $100
• EUR account: €100
• GBP account: £100

These fees are subject to applicable law and may change. Read the official AvaTrade fees and charges page for the latest terms.

This structure can be significant for occasional traders because charges may accumulate while the account remains unused.

Example: How Much Could Inactivity Cost?

Suppose a USD account is subject to a $50 inactivity fee after each three-month period of non-use.

Four quarterly inactivity charges would total:

$50 × 4 = $200

If the separate $100 annual administration fee also applies after 12 months, the total could reach $300, subject to the exact terms and how the charges are applied.

This is an illustrative calculation, not a guarantee of the amount any individual client will be charged. Applicable legal restrictions, account status, and current fee terms matter.

For a small account, the potential effect is substantial. A dormant balance of $200 could be reduced significantly by repeated charges.

6. IC Markets EU Inactivity Fee: Monthly Charges After Six Months

IC Markets EU's official FAQ states that an account can be classified as inactive after six consecutive months without qualifying trading activity. The stated fee is 10 units in the account currency per account per month, starting on the first business day after the six-month period and continuing monthly until activity resumes or the account is closed.

The policy says that logins, deposits, withdrawals, and transfers alone do not reset the inactivity period. Executing a trade is the relevant activity. Fees are limited to the available balance and do not create a negative balance under this policy.

Source: IC Markets EU FAQs.

For example, if a qualifying account has a balance of €100 and is charged €10 each month for five months, the total fees would be €50, assuming the policy remains applicable and the full charge is deducted each month.

That leaves €50 before considering any other account activity or fees.

This example applies specifically to the cited IC Markets EU policy. Do not assume that the same rules apply to every IC Markets entity worldwide.

What Is the Difference Between an Inactivity Fee and an Account Archiving Fee?

These terms are sometimes confused, but they do not necessarily mean the same thing.

Inactivity fee: A monetary charge deducted because an account has remained unused for a defined period.

Account archiving: A process that changes an account's status, potentially requiring the trader to restore or reactivate it before trading again.

Account closure: Ending the account relationship, which may involve specific procedures for withdrawing any remaining funds.

A broker can archive accounts without charging an inactivity fee. Exness and Pepperstone both describe account-archiving practices while also stating that they do not charge inactivity fees under the cited policies.

This is why a comparison should include both the monetary charge and the operational consequences of leaving an account unused.

How Much Can Inactivity Fees Cost Over a Year?

The total cost depends on the fee amount, charging frequency, and how soon the charge begins.

Consider these simplified examples:

These figures are mathematical illustrations, not a complete broker ranking. They do not account for currency conversion, local legal restrictions, changes to terms, or the exact timing of the first and last charges.

A broker charging $10 monthly after six months of inactivity may be less costly for an occasional trader than one charging $50 quarterly after three months. But the comparison depends on the length of inactivity and the precise terms.

How to Avoid Forex Broker Inactivity Fees

If you already have a live account but do not plan to trade regularly, consider these steps.

1. Read the Current Fee Schedule

Search for terms such as “inactivity,” “dormant account,” “administration fee,” and “account maintenance.”

Do not rely only on a broker's marketing page. Legal terms and account-specific disclosures may contain important conditions.

2. Confirm What Counts as Activity

Some brokers require an executed trade. Logging in, depositing funds, or withdrawing money may not reset the inactivity period.

IC Markets EU, for example, explicitly says logins and deposits or withdrawals alone do not count as trading activity under its cited policy.

3. Withdraw Funds You Do Not Need in the Account

If you do not expect to trade, withdrawing available funds can reduce the amount exposed to potential inactivity charges. Review the broker's withdrawal requirements and any payment-provider charges first.

4. Close the Account if You No Longer Need It

If you have no intention of returning, account closure may be more appropriate than leaving the account dormant. Follow the broker's official process and confirm the status of any remaining funds.

5. Set a Reminder Before the Fee Trigger

If you intend to keep the account, note the inactivity period and any notification deadline. A calendar reminder can help you review the account before charges begin.

6. Don't Place Unnecessary Trades Just to Avoid a Fee

Trading solely to avoid an inactivity charge can expose you to market risk, spreads, commissions, and potential losses. Compare the cost of keeping the account dormant with the alternatives rather than trading without a genuine strategy.

How to Choose a Broker if You Trade Infrequently

If you trade only occasionally, inactivity fees should be part of your broker-selection checklist.

Consider the following factors:

• Inactivity policy: Is there a fee, and when does it begin?
• Grace period: How long can the account remain unused before charges apply?
• Fee frequency: Is the charge monthly, quarterly, or annual?
• Balance protection: Can the charge reduce the account to zero, and can it create a negative balance?
• Account archiving: Will the broker disable the account even when no fee applies?
• Reactivation: Can you restore the account yourself?
• Withdrawal rules: Are there minimum withdrawal amounts or payment-method restrictions?
• Trading costs: What spreads, commissions, and financing charges apply when you do trade?
• Regulation: Which legal entity serves your country, and what protections apply?

A broker with no inactivity fee can be attractive for a long-term dormant account. However, the best choice still depends on regulation, service availability, execution, trading costs, and whether the broker accepts clients in your jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which forex brokers have no inactivity fees?

Based on the official pages cited in this article, Exness and Pepperstone state that they do not charge inactivity fees, and eToro's Help Center says it stopped charging them from May 28, 2026. Always confirm the current policy for the legal entity serving your account.

Does FBS charge an inactivity fee?

The public information reviewed for this article did not establish a definitive, current inactivity-fee amount or confirm that every FBS entity has no such fee. Review the FBS legal documents and ask support to confirm the terms applicable to your account.

What happens if I stop trading forex?

Depending on the broker, your account may remain open, be archived, or incur an inactivity fee. Check the broker's definition of inactivity, the fee schedule, and the account-closure policy.

Do broker inactivity fees apply to demo accounts?

Policies vary. The comparison in this article focuses on live trading accounts. Check the broker's specific terms for demo accounts, which may be deleted or archived after inactivity rather than charged a fee.

Can I avoid inactivity fees by logging in?

Not always. Some brokers require an executed trade rather than a login. IC Markets EU's cited policy states that logins, deposits, withdrawals, and transfers alone do not reset its inactivity period.

Can an inactivity fee use up my entire balance?

It depends on the policy and account balance. Some brokers limit deductions to available funds, while the exact terms must be checked individually. A recurring fee can substantially reduce a small dormant balance over time.

Is account archiving the same as account closure?

No. Archiving typically changes the account's status and may require reactivation. Closure ends the account relationship under the broker's process. Neither term should be assumed to mean that remaining funds are forfeited; check the relevant agreement.

Should I trade just to avoid an inactivity fee?

Not necessarily. Trading carries market risk and can incur other costs. Compare the fee with the alternatives of withdrawing funds, closing the account, or choosing a broker with a suitable inactivity policy.

Final Verdict: Best Approach to Forex Broker Inactivity Fee Comparison

The best forex broker inactivity fee comparison should do more than list a monthly charge. It should explain when the fee begins, what counts as activity, how often the fee is deducted, whether the account can be archived, and which legal entity's terms apply.

For traders who may leave accounts unused, the published policies from Exness, Pepperstone, and eToro are worth reviewing because their cited pages state that no inactivity fee applies. AvaTrade's published schedule illustrates how quarterly inactivity charges and a separate annual administration fee can increase the cost of a dormant account. IC Markets EU provides a contrasting example of a monthly fee after six months without qualifying trading activity.

For FBS, verify the applicable client agreement rather than assuming that a fee is either charged or absent.

Ultimately, the right broker is not necessarily the one with the lowest inactivity fee. It is the one whose regulation, costs, account rules, and services fit your trading needs. If you do not plan to trade, withdrawing unused funds or formally closing an unnecessary account may be more sensible than placing trades purely to keep the account active.

Financial Risk Disclaimer: Forex and CFD trading involves substantial risk and may not be suitable for every investor. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to use any particular broker. Fees and account policies may change and vary by legal entity and jurisdiction. Verify current official terms before opening, funding, or maintaining a trading account.