Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Pepperstone vs Trade Nation, 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, founded in 2010, and Trade Nation, established in 2014, are both popular online brokers that are not publicly traded or banks. According to ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone boasts a high Trust Score of 95 out of 99, showcasing its high level of reliability and customer confidence. It holds three Tier-1 licenses, marking it as a highly trusted entity, and two Tier-2 licenses, adding to its credibility.
Trade Nation, with a Trust Score of 85, is also deemed a trusted broker by ForexBrokers.com. The broker has two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, reflecting its commitment to regulatory compliance and customer trust. Both brokers maintain solid reputations, but Pepperstone edges ahead in trustworthiness, as judged by ForexBrokers.com's ratings, making it a compelling choice for investors seeking secure trading environments.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2014 |
| 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 Trade Nation each offer different approaches when it comes to commissions and fees, catering to various trader preferences. Pepperstone, with a ranking of #10 in the commissions and fees category from ForexBrokers.com, maintains a 4.5-star rating. It shines with its Razor account, particularly for high-volume traders utilizing the Active Trader program. The Razor account operates on a commission-based model and boasts an average spread of 0.10 pips on the EUR/USD, though the all-in cost comes to 0.80 pips after accounting for commission. In contrast, the Standard account is commission-free but has a higher average spread of 1.1 pips, making it less cost-efficient compared to the Razor account.
In comparison, Trade Nation stands out with a #7 ranking and a perfect 5-star rating for its straightforward, fixed-spread pricing. This broker provides competitive fixed-spread pricing across all tradeable assets on its proprietary platform. Trade Nation lists a fixed spread of 0.6 pips for the EUR/USD pair, which slightly increases during the daily rollover period to about 1.4 pips. Its structure means traders deal with a consistent pricing model without needing additional calculations, except during the brief rollover window. The MetaTrader platform offers a variety of account types, including a commission-based Raw Spread account with a $7 round-trip commission per standard lot, and a commission-free account that generally exhibits higher spreads.
Ultimately, Pepperstone appeals to high-volume traders who can benefit from spread rebates in its Active Trader program, whereas Trade Nation offers a more predictable pricing model with its fixed-spread accounts, appealing to those who prefer consistency and simplicity in pricing. Each broker has its strengths, making them viable choices depending on a trader's needs and trading style.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 0.6 |
| 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 Trade Nation both excel in offering forex trading, allowing clients to trade through CFDs or spot contracts. When comparing their market reach, Pepperstone takes the lead with a total of 1,726 tradeable symbols, surpassing Trade Nation's offering of 1,000. This wider selection includes 65 tradeable forex pairs with Pepperstone, compared to 46 available with Trade Nation. Though both brokers fall short in providing exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, they do offer the option to engage in copy trading.
In terms of cryptocurrency, neither Pepperstone nor Trade Nation provides the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies. However, both platforms allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. While Pepperstone is rated slightly higher at 4 stars for its range of investments, Trade Nation follows closely with 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone holds the 26th position out of 63 brokers for the range of investments category, whereas Trade Nation is ranked 38th. This suggests Pepperstone might be a more suitable choice for investors seeking a broader range of financial instruments.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 46 |
| 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.
Pepperstone and Trade Nation both cater to traders with their comprehensive offerings in trading platforms and tools, yet differ in some key areas. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice and hone their skills risk-free. They each offer proprietary platforms developed in-house, a Windows-based desktop trading platform, and a web-based trading platform. Copy trading enthusiasts will find that both brokers offer this feature. While both support MetaTrader 4, only Pepperstone extends its offerings with MetaTrader 5 and DupliTrade, giving it an extra edge for traders looking for broader access. However, neither broker provides ZuluTrade.
When it comes to charting capabilities and trading tools, Trade Nation offers more drawing tools, with 39 compared to Pepperstone's 30. However, Pepperstone allows trading directly from stock charts, a feature not available with Trade Nation. For setting up watch lists, Trade Nation provides more flexibility with 14 columns compared to Pepperstone's 7. Despite Trade Nation's broader options in some tools, both brokers are similarly rated at four stars for their platforms and tools. Yet, in ForexBrokers.com's rankings, Pepperstone stands higher, ranking #22 out of 63 brokers, while Trade Nation is positioned at #44.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 39 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 14 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Pepperstone and Trade Nation both offer seamless mobile trading experiences through their iPhone and Android apps. These platforms provide essential features like syncing watchlists, price alerts, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts, ensuring traders have the tools they need for dynamic market analysis. Both apps also support multiple time frames and auto-save chart drawings, adding a layer of convenience for those on the go.
When it comes to technical studies, Trade Nation offers a wider range with 99 options compared to Pepperstone's 30. However, both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and have garnered a 4-star rating for mobile trading apps. Despite having the same user rating, Pepperstone ranks higher at #21 compared to Trade Nation's #45 in the ForexBrokers.com mobile trading category. This suggests that while both are quite capable, Pepperstone might offer a slight edge in terms of market perception and user experience.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 99 |
| 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 Trade Nation provide daily market commentary and offer forex news sourced from top-tier outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters. When it comes to analysis tools, Pepperstone takes the lead with offerings from Autochartist and a sentiment-based trading tool. Trade Nation lacks Autochartist tools but compensates with research tools from Acuity Trading. Unfortunately, neither broker provides resources from Trading Central or market research from TipRanks. Pepperstone also stands out by offering an economic calendar, which Trade Nation does not.
In terms of overall market research ratings, Pepperstone edges out with a 4.5-star rating, compared to Trade Nation’s 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone ranks 12th in research among 63 brokers, while Trade Nation places 42nd. These distinctions highlight Pepperstone’s more comprehensive research offerings, making it a more appealing choice for traders prioritizing in-depth market analysis.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available from Pepperstone and Trade Nation, both brokers provide a wealth of information for those interested in forex and CFDs, each boasting over ten educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars. Pepperstone, however, sets itself apart by offering monthly online educational webinars and a searchable archive of past sessions, which Trade Nation lacks. This can be particularly beneficial for beginners seeking ongoing interactive learning experiences in real-time as well as a way to revisit crucial topics.
In terms of educational videos tailored to specific skill levels, both Pepperstone and Trade Nation provide at least ten beginner-friendly videos and an additional ten for advanced traders, ensuring a wide range of content suited to different levels of experience. Moreover, both brokers offer an extensive investor dictionary featuring over fifty trading terms to help newcomers become familiar with industry language. Overall, Pepperstone ranks higher both for its breadth of resources and its superior education rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars compared to Trade Nation's 3.5, placing them at #17 and #41 respectively out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Trade Nation. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16, while Trade Nation finished with an overall rank of #34.
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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Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 |
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Both Pepperstone and Trade Nation do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, however, they both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Pepperstone offers versatile fund transfer options including ACH, SEPA, and PayPal, alongside Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wires, whereas Trade Nation supports Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wires but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal as deposit or withdrawal methods.
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 | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
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| Review | Pepperstone Review | Trade Nation Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
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| Regulation | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2014 | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 46 | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 0.6 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 14 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 39 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 99 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Education | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation Review |
| Overall | Pepperstone | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | Trade Nation Review |
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