Updated October 17, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Pepperstone
ActivTrades
Higher score in this comparison
Pepperstone
Where ActivTrades and Pepperstone differ
| Compare | ActivTradesReviewVisitVisit | PepperstoneReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $0.020 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | 79.6% |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, Pepperstone platform |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $10.
- Stock trade fee is lower at ActivTrades: $0 vs $0.020.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Bonds.
- Markets: only Pepperstone offers Metals.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader.
- Platforms: only Pepperstone offers CTrader, Pepperstone platform.
Our verdict on each
ActivTrades
ActivTrades suits active traders seeking broad market access with commission free share dealing alongside forex, CFDs and bonds in a single account. Minimum deposit sits at $0 with stock trade fees at $0 and cover through FSCS up to GBP 85,000, while retail loss share stands at 84%.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone is a contracts for difference broker. It can suit experienced readers, but for most household savers the product carries a high risk of losing money.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount upkeep stays light with charges at $0 for everyday holders. | 8.9 |
| Offer | 9.6HigherChoice spans asset classes listed as stocks, ETFs and forex for varied strategies. | 9.5 |
| Trust | 9.5Oversight spans regulators shown as FCA, SCB and CMVM for added assurance. | Not confirmed |
Feature by feature
| Markets | ActivTrades | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 2 of 654 | 27 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 358 | 17 of 358 |
| Trading platforms | 1 of 24 | 12 of 24 |
| Forex brokers | 1 of 147 | 8 of 147 |
What we checked
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
Pepperstone
- pepperstone.com: 6 facts, checked September 28, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Help centre |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | ActivTrades | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Coins listed | 10 | Not confirmed |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank | Not confirmed |
| Maker fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Not confirmed |
| Derivatives | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Exchange type | Cex | Not confirmed |
Savings
| Fact | ActivTrades | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Not confirmed |
| Deposit protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Access terms | Funds stay in the account and are free to trade at any time; interest on free margin is paid monthly | Not confirmed |
| Account kind | Easy access | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Pepperstone | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $10below the median | $23.50 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0.020highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | 79.6%highest quarter | 72.21% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.4% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 2.875% |
Median across 138 listed providers.
Pros and cons
ActivTrades
Pros
- Share dealing costs nothing with fees at $0, unlike DKB with fees of €10.
- Entry stays accessible with minimum deposit at $0 alongside funding via card and bank.
- Crypto derivatives are available with taker pricing at 0% for cost aware traders.
Cons
- Coin choice stays narrow at 10 for traders seeking wide crypto coverage.
- Currency conversion applies at 0.5% which adds cost for cross currency activity.
- Retail loss share stands elevated at 84%, highlighting CFD risk.
Pepperstone
Pros
- Two pricing styles, all in or commission based.
- The company itself adds nothing when money goes in or out.
- A practice account with virtual money before risking savings.
Cons
- Most retail clients lose money on these contracts, and borrowed exposure makes losses bigger.
- Positions held overnight pick up a funding adjustment that can cost you or credit you.
- Payouts can only go to a bank account or card under your own name.
Who each suits
ActivTrades
Who it suits
- Traders seeking commission free stocks with fees at $0 and varied venues at ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
- Investors comfortable with forex and CFD exposure across assets at stocks, ETFs and forex.
- Savers holding trading cash who value interest at 3.3% with easy access.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders seeking bank bundled saving plus investing may consider DKB, which structures share dealing around €10.
- Investors seeking social portfolios and guided themes may consider eToro, where entry starts at $50.
Pepperstone
Who it suits
- Readers who already understand leverage and overnight charges.
- Readers comfortable with short term price swings.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone saving for a home, retirement or an emergency fund.
- Readers wanting a simple way to grow savings.
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
Questions about each
ActivTrades
What does ActivTrades charge for investing?+
Stock dealing carries fees of $0 with account upkeep at $0. Deposits and withdrawals are described as Free deposits and withdrawals. Currency conversion applies at 0.5%, so cross currency moves need care when sizing orders and planning holding periods.
How is money protected at ActivTrades?+
Investor protection is stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000 with deposit protection described as FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Oversight comes from regulators listed as FCA, SCB and CMVM. Such cover has limits and conditions, so readers should check eligibility for their entity before funding.
Pepperstone
Is Pepperstone suitable for saving money?+
Not in the usual sense. Its products are leveraged contracts for difference aimed at active traders, not savings accounts or deposits. Most retail clients lose money with this provider, so money you need for bills, rent or a home deposit should stay in simpler, unleveraged products.
Will I pay a fee to add or remove money?+
Pepperstone adds nothing of its own when money moves in or out. Your bank or card provider may still charge separately, so check before moving funds. You can pay in and take money out by card, digital wallet or bank transfer.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- ActivTrades vs LANDE
- ActivTrades vs Binance P2P
- ActivTrades vs FxPro
- ActivTrades vs Angel One
- ActivTrades vs XTB
- ActivTrades vs NAGA
- ActivTrades vs Finom
- ActivTrades vs eToro
- ActivTrades vs Linxea
- ActivTrades vs DKB
- ActivTrades vs Gemini
- ActivTrades vs UNest
- ActivTrades vs Qonto
- ActivTrades vs Mintos
- ActivTrades vs coinhouse
- ActivTrades vs iuvoSAVE
- ActivTrades vs Coinbase
- ActivTrades vs Kraken
- ActivTrades vs EBC Financial Group