ActivTrades vs Pepperstone: comparison of costs, trading platforms & more
ActivTrades and Pepperstone are two of the world’s leading brokers for CFD trading on indices, stocks, commodities, and forex. In this ActivTrades vs Pepperstone review article, we will delve into the differences between the two brokers from the point of view of costs, products, markets, and trading platforms, also taking a look at the opinions of users of ActivTrades and Pepperstone.
ActivTrades vs Pepperstone: which one is the best broker?
Both brokers, ActivTrades and Pepperstone, are reliable and offer a good online trading experience. However, the choice between the two depends on the needs of the individual trader.
ActivTrades is a regulated broker in the UK and offers a wide range of financial instruments, including CFDs on indices, commodities, stocks and forex. It also offers excellent customer service and an intuitive trading platform.
Pepperstone is also a regulated broker and offers a wide range of financial instruments, with a particular focus on forex trading. In addition, the trading platform is highly customisable and also offers a demo account for beginner traders.
| ActivTrades | Pepperstone | |
| 🌎 Regulation | FCA | FCA |
| 💰 Minimum deposit | No | No |
| 📈 Products | Spread betting and CFDs | Spread betting and CFDs |
| 🕹️ Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Platforms | Activtrader MetaTrader 4 Metatrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView |
ActivTrades vs Pepperstone: security and regulations
The first thing to consider when choosing a broker is its regulatory status. Financial regulatory bodies have the task of monitoring all the company’s activities and protecting users and their funds.
Regulation of ActivTrades
ActivTrades is regulated by several financial authorities, including the FCA, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) of Luxembourg and the Securities Commission of the Bahamas.
Regulation of Pepperstone
Pepperstone is regulated by 7 national authorities, including high-level regulatory authorities such as the FCA in the UK. In addition to the FCA, Pepperstone is authorised by BaFin for German and Austrian customers, and by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) for other SEE customers.
In summary, both ActivTrades and Pepperstone are highly reputable brokers that offer their customers peace of mind in terms of security and regulatory compliance.
Products and markets: ActivTrades vs Pepperstone
| Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
| 📈 Products | Spread betting and CFDs | Spread betting and CFDs |
| Pepperstone review | ActivTrades review |
ActivTrades vs Pepperstone: cost structure
ActivTrades charges £0 commissions and average spreads and no other fees for depositing or withdrawing money.
Pepperstone has a 0% commission policy with no inactivity or custody fees. However, the spreads are quite high for some assets. Let’s see some examples.
ActivTrades costs
- Forex comes with a minimum target spread of 0.50.
- No spreads or commissions for stocks (but overnight fees apply if you leave your positions open overnight).
- All payment methods are free except for cards (0.5% fee)
- Commodity target spreads start at a minimum of 0.03 (for crude oil and BRENT)
Pepperstone costs
- Razor account comes with lower spreads but you need to pay commissions; the standard account is commission-free but spreads are higher.
- Average spreads are between 0 and 0.3 pips for the Razor account and a commission of £7 per round turn, and 1.1 pips for the standard account with 0% commissions.
ActivTrades vs Pepperstone: trading platforms
From this point of view, we must say that both ActivTrades and Pepperstone offer a really large number of trading platforms to choose from, with one difference: ActivTrades also offers its own platform, ActivTrades, while Pepperstone does not have its own platform.
| Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
| 📊 Platforms | MT4 MT5 TradingView cTrader | ActivTrader MT4 MT5 |
ActivTrader
ActivTrades has a range of trading tools and features designed to make your trading experience as smooth as possible and the proprietary platform, ActivTrader, is simple and intuitive. The trading platform also offers a good level of training and highly responsive customer service, available via live chat 24 hours a day.
Metatrader 4
MetaTrader 4, also known as MT4, is an advanced trading platform, specialised in allowing users to create and automate complex trading strategies. Owned by MetaQuotes Software, it also provides users with a wide range of technical tools and indicators.
It is particularly useful when it comes to forex. Have a look at our MT4 review to find out more.
Metatrader 5
MetaTrader 5 is a multi-asset and multi-functional trading platform. Although it has not gained the same popularity as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 is useful for trading stocks and commodities, unlike MetaTrader 4, which is focused on the forex market.
Available in web, online and mobile versions, it also offers additional services such as integrated trading robots, copy trading and many more. The platform is free of charge, just like MT4. Check this MT5 review for more information.
cTrader
cTrader is an intuitive and easy-to-use trading platform, with advanced trading features such as quick entry and execution. Created by Spotware with the goal of balancing simple and complex features, cTrader can be used by both new and experienced traders.
TradingView
Pepperstone customers can access TradingView’s advanced charts and analysis. At the same time, they will have access to trading tools and the ability to interact with the world’s largest social network of traders – TradingView.
ActivTrades vs Pepperstone: Trustpilot
As you can see, both brokers have excellent ratings from users and thousands of reviews. Here is ActivTrades’ score on Trustpilot:
And here is Pepperstone’s review on Trustpilot:
Pepperstone users are satisfied with the overall trading experience and with the ability to use a wide variety of platforms. Regarding ActivTrades, the main positive comments related to the reputation of the company, but also the ActivTrader platform.
To learn more, we recommend:
ActivTrades vs Pepperstone: advantages vs disadvantages
| 👍 Advantages of ActivTrades | 👍 Advantages of Pepperstone |
| Convenient and intuitive platforms for both professionals and beginners. | Fast account opening process. |
| Excellent customer service. | Variety of platforms and tools available. |
| Regulated by FCA. | Excellent customer service. |
| 👎 Disadvantages of ActivTrades | 👎 Disadvantages of Pepperstone |
| One type of account only. | Slightly higher spreads on some products |
| It is not possible to trade cryptocurrencies. | No proprietary platform |
| No real assets. | No real assets |
ActivTrades vs Pepperstone: summary
Both brokers qualify among the best brokers to trade CFDs and the best commission-free brokers. Overall, the choice depends on your trading style and objectives.
With ActivTrades, you’re partnering with a recognised and regulated broker that’s ideal for newcomers to the world of trading. ActivTrades offers the flexibility to trade various assets across three different platforms, tailored to suit your trading style and plan.
You can also take advantage of a 30-day demo account to familiarise yourself risk-free with its services. If you’re interested in intraday trading or automated systems through MetaTrader, ActivTrades provides excellent execution that can help you optimise your strategy for maximum profits. Most users commend the broker for its quality customer service.
Similarly, Pepperstone is another top-tier broker that should be seriously considered by any trader looking for a regulated, reliable broker. It offers generally low costs and a broad range of assets. Automatic trading solutions are a focal point at Pepperstone, which is also known for its well-regulated, transparent, and honest operations, much like ActivTrades.
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FAQ
What are the main differences between Pepperstone and ActivTrades?
The main differences lie in the trading platforms they offer, asset coverage, and specialised services. While both brokers provide MetaTrader platforms, ActivTrades also offers additional platforms tailored to different trading styles. Each broker has unique features that cater to specific trading needs, so it’s essential to assess what’s most important to you as a trader.
Do Pepperstone and ActivTrades offer demo accounts?
Yes, both Pepperstone and ActivTrades offer demo accounts. ActivTrades provides a 30-day demo account that allows you to explore their services without any risk. Pepperstone also offers a demo account.
Do Pepperstone and ActivTrades offer educational resources for traders?
Yes, both brokers offer a range of educational resources aimed at both beginner and experienced traders. These can include webinars, tutorials, articles, and even one-on-one coaching sessions. Educational resources are essential for traders looking to expand their knowledge and improve their trading skills.
