Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Pepperstone vs ActivTrades, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Pepperstone and ActivTrades are two established online brokers, with Pepperstone founded in 2010 and ActivTrades in 2001. Neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank, ensuring they focus entirely on providing quality trading services. Both brokers are licensed, adhering to strict international standards. Pepperstone holds three Tier-1 licenses, affirming a high level of trust, while ActivTrades holds two, signaling a strong compliance record as well.
When it comes to trustworthiness, Pepperstone scores an impressive 95 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com's Trust Score, indicating it is highly trusted. ActivTrades also fares well with a Trust Score of 81, placing it in the trusted category. Additionally, Pepperstone has two Tier-2 licenses compared to ActivTrades' one, further showcasing its commitment to maintaining trusted regulatory practices. Both brokers are poised as reliable choices for those venturing into online trading.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
Pepperstone and ActivTrades both offer competitive fees and commissions for online trading, but they cater to different types of traders. Pepperstone, an agency-execution broker, excels with its Razor account, especially for high-volume traders who participate in the Active Trader program. The Razor account offers average spreads of 0.10 pips for EUR/USD, with an all-in cost of 0.80 pips including commission, which is near the industry average. However, the Standard account at Pepperstone, which is commission-free, comes with higher spreads at around 1.1 pips for EUR/USD, making it a less cost-effective choice compared to the Razor account. Pepperstone is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #10 out of 62 brokers for its commissions and fees.
On the other hand, ActivTrades provides a variety of account types, such as Individual, Professional, and Islamic accounts. Unlike Pepperstone, there is no specific pricing program for high-volume traders at ActivTrades, but their spreads are considered slightly better than the industry average. ActivTrades lists a typical spread of 0.98 pips for EUR/USD, making it a competitive option for regular traders. The broker does not offer rebates or special trading programs for professional clients, unlike Pepperstone, which may influence costs over time depending on the trading volume and assets traded. ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and is ranked #27 out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees.
Ultimately, the choice between Pepperstone and ActivTrades depends on your trading style and volume. Pepperstone shines for high-volume traders who can benefit from rebates, while ActivTrades provides slightly tighter average spreads but lacks specialized programs for frequent traders. Considering these factors will help you select the broker that best fits your financial goals.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Pepperstone and ActivTrades both offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, giving traders flexibility in this asset class. Pepperstone takes the lead with a larger selection of tradeable symbols, offering 1,726 options compared to ActivTrades' 1,267. When it comes to tradeable forex pairs, Pepperstone also offers more choices with 65 pairs, whereas ActivTrades provides 49. Neither broker allows trading of exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but ActivTrades does offer international options, allowing clients to invest in companies like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange.
Both brokers support innovative trading experiences with features like copy trading, helping users follow and replicate successful trades. However, neither platform enables buying actual cryptocurrencies directly—they only offer cryptocurrency derivatives. In terms of range of investments, both brokers earn a commendable rating of four stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone is ranked 26th out of 62 brokers in this category, ahead of ActivTrades, which comes in at 31st. This highlights Pepperstone's slightly broader array of trading instruments, offering a wider selection for diverse trading strategies.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Pepperstone and ActivTrades both cater to traders seeking diverse and accessible trading platforms with various tools to enhance their trading experience. Each broker offers a demo account, proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop downloads, and web-based trading options, ensuring flexibility and convenience for users. Additionally, both firms support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular platforms known for their rich features. Pepperstone and ActivTrades go head-to-head with their copy trading capabilities, but Pepperstone stands out by offering DupliTrade, unlike ActivTrades, which could appeal to traders looking for more automated trading solutions.
When evaluating trading tools, Pepperstone provides 30 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, while ActivTrades offers 15 drawing tools and similar chart-based trading capabilities. Interestingly, ActivTrades supports a more detailed watch list experience with 11 columns available compared to Pepperstone’s 7. Both brokers receive a commendable 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, with Pepperstone securing a higher rank (#22) compared to ActivTrades (#29) out of 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing Pepperstone and ActivTrades for their mobile trading apps, both brokers offer user-friendly experiences for iPhone and Android users. They provide essential features such as price alerts and comprehensive charting tools with 30 technical studies, trendline drawing capabilities, and the ability to view multiple time frames on stock or forex charts. Both mobile platforms also allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and auto-save drawing features, ensuring seamless tracking and analysis of market trends. However, a key difference lies in watchlist symbol syncing. Pepperstone offers this feature, allowing watchlists on their mobile app to sync with the client's online account, ensuring any changes made in either location are updated across devices. ActivTrades does not provide this functionality, which might be a consideration for those seeking streamlined watchlist management.
In terms of ratings and rankings, both brokers have garnered 4-star ratings for their mobile trading apps. According to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades holds a slightly higher position, ranked 19th out of 62 brokers, compared to Pepperstone's 21st place. These rankings reflect their competitive standing and well-regarded mobile app features. Whether you prioritize syncing capabilities or value industry standings, both Pepperstone and ActivTrades offer strong options for traders seeking versatile mobile trading solutions.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Pepperstone and ActivTrades provide comprehensive market research features, including daily market commentary and access to forex news from top sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. These brokers also offer economic calendars to keep users informed about important global events. However, Pepperstone sets itself apart by offering tools from Autochartist, which aren't available with ActivTrades. Both brokers ensure enhanced trading experiences through sentiment-based trading tools that reveal insights into market positions.
When evaluating their research offerings, Pepperstone receives a rating of 4.5 stars, outranking ActivTrades, which holds a 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone is ranked #12 in the Research category out of 62 brokers, while ActivTrades is placed at #30. This gives Pepperstone a clear edge in terms of the depth and quality of its research resources. Despite these differences, both brokers provide a strong foundation for traders seeking informed market insights.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Pepperstone and ActivTrades both stand out in offering educational resources for beginner traders, yet they have some differences worth noting. Both brokers provide an extensive collection of over ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, ranging from articles and videos to archived webinars. They also conduct online educational webinars for clients at least once a month, coupled with a searchable archive of past webinars. Beginner traders will find ample educational videos geared specifically towards their level, as both platforms deliver more than ten such videos. However, when it comes to advanced educational content, both brokers also cater to experienced traders with over ten advanced videos.
While both brokers excel in their educational offerings, Pepperstone offers an added advantage with an investor dictionary comprising over 50 investing terms, which ActivTrades does not. This added tool could be particularly helpful to beginners striving to familiarize themselves with trading terminology. With Pepperstone's education resources receiving a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars, Pepperstone is rated #18 in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, whereas ActivTrades holds the #38 spot among 62 brokers. This suggests that Pepperstone may offer a slightly more comprehensive educational experience for those new to trading.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Pepperstone is better than ActivTrades. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Pepperstone offers a growing range of tradeable markets, good-quality research, and support for multiple social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 |
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Neither Pepperstone nor ActivTrades offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Pepperstone provides a versatile range of deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ActivTrades offers more limited options, supporting only Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal capabilities.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Pepperstone Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | ActivTrades Review |
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