Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Pepperstone vs ATFX, 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 ATFX are both online brokers offering various trading services. Pepperstone, established in 2010, holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 95, indicating it is highly trusted. Meanwhile, ATFX, founded in 2017, has a Trust Score of 85, placing it in the trusted category. Neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank. These aspects make both firms accessible for traders looking for well-regulated platforms without the complexity of bank-run operations.
When it comes to regulatory strength, ATFX holds four Tier-1 licenses, while Pepperstone has three. In addition, both brokers have two Tier-2 licenses, further securing their standing in the trading industry. These credentials suggest that both brokers comply with high regulatory standards, ensuring a safer trading environment for their users. Whether you prioritize experience with Pepperstone's longer establishment or ATFX’s slightly broader Tier-1 regulation, both provide secure trading platforms.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Pepperstone and ATFX offer different experiences in terms of commissions and fees, each catering to varying trading needs. Pepperstone stands out with its Razor account, which is particularly attractive to high-volume traders. By engaging with the Active Trader program, users can enjoy competitive pricing as the spread can begin as low as 0.10 pips for popular pairs like EUR/USD, with a full cost of 0.80 pips including commission. On the other hand, its Standard account, which is commission-free, has a higher average spread of 1.1 pips on the same currency pair. Traders who reach significant volumes may benefit from Pepperstone’s spread rebates, available for both UK and EU professional clients, reducing costs further by up to 25%.
In contrast, ATFX does not provide specific average spread data, making a direct comparison challenging for traders looking to pinpoint exact costs. However, the broker is known to offer a commission-free structure which could appeal to those preferring simpler fee arrangements without the intricacies of variable spreads or additional rebates. This simplicity, however, may not offer the cost advantages seen in Pepperstone's well-structured pricing for active traders.
Among their peers, Pepperstone's competitive pricing earns it a 4.5-star rating in the commissions and fees category, placing it 10th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This significantly surpasses ATFX's 3-star rating, which lands it in the 60th position. For traders prioritizing competitive rates and potential rebates as they scale their activity, Pepperstone could be a more appealing choice, whereas ATFX may suit those preferring a straightforward fee structure.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A |
| 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 ATFX both provide forex trading options as CFDs or spot contracts, appealing to traders interested in foreign exchange markets. However, Pepperstone outshines ATFX with a more extensive selection of 1726 tradeable symbols compared to ATFX's 150. When it comes to forex pairs specifically, Pepperstone continues to lead with 65 options versus ATFX's 44. Neither broker offers the capability to trade actual securities from U.S. or international exchanges. Still, they both support copy trading, allowing clients to mirror the trades of experienced investors. In the increasingly popular cryptocurrency space, both brokers provide derivatives but not the ability to purchase actual digital currencies.
Despite some similarities, these differences affect their respective ratings. Pepperstone receives 4 stars for its range of investments, positioning it at #26 in the ForexBrokers.com rankings among 63 firms. In contrast, ATFX earns 3.5 stars and ranks #57. Both brokers cater to traders who favor cryptos as derivatives and appreciate a platform enabling copy trading, but Pepperstone’s broader selection of trading instruments provides an advantage for those seeking a wider variety of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| 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.
When comparing Pepperstone and ATFX in terms of trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, making them accessible options for beginners. Pepperstone stands out by offering a proprietary platform, developed in-house, while ATFX does not have this feature. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms, as well as popular trading apps like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Additionally, Pepperstone supports both DupliTrade and copy trading, which ATFX lacks in terms of DupliTrade support. Neither broker currently offers ZuluTrade, so users looking for this tool might need to explore other options.
When it comes to charting tools, Pepperstone provides a wider selection, featuring 30 drawing tools compared to ATFX’s 15. Both allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts and organize watch lists with seven fields. Although both brokers offer similar functionalities, Pepperstone receives a slightly higher rating of 4 stars compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars. The superior user rating and features explain why Pepperstone ranks 22nd among 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools, while ATFX ranks at the 62nd position. This makes Pepperstone a preferred choice for those seeking a more comprehensive trading experience with advanced tools.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Pepperstone and ATFX both provide mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, making it easy to trade on the go. Both platforms offer essential features like stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, Pepperstone stands out with some advanced features, including watchlist symbol syncing between the app and online accounts, which ATFX lacks. Pepperstone also excels in technical charting with 30 technical studies compared to ATFX's 7, providing a more comprehensive analytic experience for traders.
When considering user ratings and industry rankings, Pepperstone is rated 4 out of 5 stars for its mobile app compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars. Furthermore, Pepperstone is ranked 21st out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas ATFX is ranked at 63rd. These distinctions suggest that while both apps cover the essentials, Pepperstone offers a more enhanced and user-friendly experience for its traders.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 |
| 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.
Pepperstone and ATFX both offer daily market commentary and provide users with an economic calendar to keep track of global news events. However, when it comes to forex news from top-tier sources, Pepperstone stands out, offering updates from renowned platforms like Bloomberg and Reuters, something ATFX does not provide. Both brokers supply tools from Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis, yet ATFX takes the lead in offering resources from Trading Central for enhanced technical analysis, while Pepperstone lacks in this area. Furthermore, Pepperstone offers a sentiment-based trading tool for insight into market positions, which ATFX does not.
Despite some similarities in the offerings, Pepperstone is generally more highly regarded for its market research capabilities, earning a rating of 4.5 stars compared to ATFX’s 3 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Pepperstone is positioned at #12 out of 63 brokers, while ATFX is ranked at #54. This indicates a stronger emphasis on comprehensive market insights and news coverage at Pepperstone, which may greatly benefit traders looking for in-depth research tools and insights.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Pepperstone and ATFX both provide educational content to help beginners get started with forex and CFD trading. Pepperstone stands out by offering a monthly schedule of online educational webinars, whereas ATFX does not provide webinars on a regular basis. Additionally, both platforms supply a searchable archive of past webinars, allowing users to learn from previous sessions at their convenience. For beginners specifically, both brokers offer a collection of educational videos focused on teaching trading basics.
In terms of advanced educational materials, Pepperstone offers tailored videos aimed at more experienced traders, while ATFX lags behind in this aspect. Both brokers do provide an investor dictionary with over 50 term definitions to aid newcomers in understanding complex trading terminology. Based on educational resources provided, Pepperstone receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to ATFX's 3 stars. In 2023, Pepperstone ranks #17 among 63 brokers for educational offerings, whereas ATFX is positioned at #28 according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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 ATFX. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
Pepperstone offers a growing range of tradeable markets, good-quality research, and support for multiple social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 |
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Both Pepperstone and ATFX do not facilitate the purchase of actual (delivered) cryptocurrency but do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing the deposit and withdrawal options of online brokers, Pepperstone stands out by supporting ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ATFX does not offer ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal but matches Pepperstone with support for Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Pepperstone | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review |
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