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 established online brokers with clear regulatory profiles. Pepperstone was founded in 2010 and ActivTrades in 2001; neither is publicly traded or a bank. According to ForexBrokers.com, scores of 90–99 are highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted. Pepperstone’s Trust Score is 94 (highly trusted), while ActivTrades scores 80 (trusted).
On licensing, Pepperstone holds 3 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 2 Tier-2 licenses (trusted). ActivTrades holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license. This means Pepperstone benefits from a wider set of top-tier regulators, whereas ActivTrades has fewer, yet still reputable, approvals.
| 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 pricing, but Pepperstone stands out for lower trading costs on its Razor account, especially for active traders. Pepperstone is rated 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 36 for Commissions and Fees. Its Razor account uses commission-based pricing, with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.10 pips plus a commission-equivalent of 0.70 pips, for an all-in cost of about 0.80 pips. That is close to the industry average, while its commission-free Standard account is pricier, with an average EUR/USD spread of 1.1 pips. Pepperstone also offers an Active Trader program that can reduce costs further for high-volume clients.
ActivTrades is rated 4 stars and ranks #22 out of 36 for Commissions and Fees. It offers a simpler account lineup, including Individual, Professional, and Islamic accounts, but it does not have a special pricing plan for high-volume traders. ActivTrades’ costs depend on the markets you trade, and while its spreads are generally a little better than the industry average, they are not as low as the best low-cost forex brokers. For EUR/USD, ActivTrades reported an average spread of 0.98 pips in May 2024, which is competitive but still higher than Pepperstone’s Razor all-in cost.
In short, Pepperstone is usually the better choice if you want lower forex trading fees, especially if you trade often and can benefit from rebates. ActivTrades may still appeal to traders who prefer a straightforward account setup, but its pricing is less attractive for frequent trading. For commissions and fees alone, Pepperstone comes out ahead.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.1 | 1.08 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.92 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Pepperstone and ActivTrades both give traders access to forex as a CFD or spot contract, and each also supports copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. Pepperstone offers a wider overall selection, with 1,726 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs, compared with ActivTrades’ 1,267 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Neither broker lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency, and neither offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. markets.
One key difference is that ActivTrades does offer exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, such as shares listed in London, while Pepperstone does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars, though Pepperstone is ranked slightly higher overall at #23 out of 36 brokers, versus #26 for ActivTrades.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 are closely matched when it comes to trading platforms and tools. Both brokers offer a free demo account for simulated trading, plus their own in-house platform, a Windows desktop app, a web-based platform, copy trading, and the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Traders can also place orders straight from a chart with either broker, making it easier to act quickly when markets move.
In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools review, both Pepperstone and ActivTrades are rated 4 out of 5 stars. However, Pepperstone places a little higher overall, ranking #21 out of 36 brokers, compared with ActivTrades at #27. For traders choosing between them, the best option may come down to which platform layout and extra tools feel easier to use day to day.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Pepperstone and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, making it easy to trade on the go from either type of device. Each app also includes stock and forex price alerts, 30 technical studies for charting, trendline drawing, and automatic saving of chart drawings. Both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps, so on the basics, they are closely matched.
The main difference is watchlist syncing. Pepperstone lets watchlists in its mobile app sync with a client’s online account, so updates carry over between devices, while ActivTrades does not offer this feature. In ForexBrokers.com’s mobile trading apps ranking, Pepperstone places slightly higher at #19 out of 36 brokers, compared with ActivTrades at #21, giving Pepperstone a small edge for mobile app convenience.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Pepperstone and ActivTrades both give traders useful market research tools, including daily market commentary, news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positions, and an economic calendar with upcoming global events. For everyday trading support, both brokers cover the main bases well and make it easier to keep up with market-moving news.
The main difference is that Pepperstone adds Autochartist, which can help with technical and fundamental ideas, while ActivTrades does not. That extra research feature helps Pepperstone stand out, and it is reflected in its stronger research score of 4.5 out of 5 and its #13 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with ActivTrades at 4 out of 5 and #27.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Pepperstone and ActivTrades both give beginners plenty of learning material, including forex and CFD education with at least 10 relevant pieces, monthly online webinars, and more than 10 beginner and advanced videos each. That means new traders can find step-by-step guidance, while more experienced users can also access material that goes beyond the basics. In short, both brokers make it easy to start learning and keep building skills over time.
That said, Pepperstone has the edge overall for education. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15 out of 36 brokers for the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #30. For beginners who want the stronger mix of learning resources and a higher-rated education offering, Pepperstone comes out ahead, though ActivTrades still provides a solid range of useful content.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Pepperstone is better than ActivTrades. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #17, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28.
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
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 80 |
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Pepperstone vs ActivTrades: neither broker offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both provide access to cryptocurrency CFDs for trading.
In the Pepperstone vs ActivTrades comparison of deposit and withdrawal methods, Pepperstone offers ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers, whereas ActivTrades offers Skrill and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal.
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 | 94 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| 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 (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | 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 |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 1.1 | 1.08 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.92 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Pepperstone | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | ActivTrades Review |
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