Characterization of the surface activity of previously previously obtained polymerizable dialkyl maleates is performed to find out the relation between the structure of surfactants and their performances. The given polymerizable surfactants mere synthesized for using in the emulsion polymerization. Three groups of dialkyl maleates-nonionics, cationics, and zwitterionics-with different chain lengths of hydrophobic alkyl group are investigated. Critical micelle concentration (cmc) values are determined for mater soluble surfactants, It is found that cmc decreases with increasing length of the hydrophobic alkyl group. For nonionic and cationic surfactants interfacial tension at the interface between water and dodecane is measured. Droplet size in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is determined for all given surfactants. Cationic and zwitterionic dialkyl maleates with the longest investigated alkyl chain (R = C16H33, C17H35) provide good stability of O/W emulsions. In order to compare the obtained results, measurements with well-known surfactants-nonionicnonylphenol-poly(ethylene oxide) (NPEO(10)) and cationic hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-are performed.