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Pepperstone Vs Activetrades 2025: Compared - which is better broker?

When comparing forex brokers in 2025, both Pepperstone and Activetrades stand out for their regulation, client service, and platform offerings. But which one is the better overall broker for your specific trading goals?

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Let’s dive into a full comparison of Pepperstone vs Activetrades to help you make the most informed decision possible.

Overview of Pepperstone and Activetrades

Pepperstone, established in 2010 in Australia, is globally recognized for its ECN-style trading, low-latency execution, and access to advanced platforms like MetaTrader and cTrader.

Activetrades, founded in 2001 in Switzerland and now headquartered in the UK, has built a solid European reputation for providing proprietary platforms, solid educational content, and strong CFD market access.

While Pepperstone leans toward technical and high-frequency traders, Activetrades caters more to traditional investors and retail traders looking for ease of use.

Regulation and Trustworthiness

Pepperstone is regulated by:

  • ASIC (Australia)

  • FCA (UK)

  • DFSA (Dubai)

  • BaFin (Germany)

  • CySEC (EU)

  • SCB (Bahamas)

Activetrades is regulated by:

  • FCA (UK)

  • CONSOB (Italy)

  • CSSF (Luxembourg)

  • SCB (Bahamas)

Both brokers operate under Tier-1 financial regulation, offering client fund protection and negative balance protection. However, Pepperstone has broader international coverage, giving it a regulatory edge for global clients.

Market Instruments and Access

Pepperstone offers:

  • 60+ forex pairs

  • Commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies

  • 1,200+ CFDs, including ETFs

Activetrades provides:

  • Forex, indices, commodities, and a wider range of stocks

  • ETFs, options, and professional-grade futures contracts

While Activetrades has an advantage in offering real shares and additional asset types, Pepperstone excels in forex, crypto CFDs, and speed-sensitive markets.

Account Types and Trading Conditions

Pepperstone:

  • Razor Account (Raw spreads, commission-based)

  • Standard Account (No commission, wider spreads)

  • Islamic Account (available on request)

Activetrades:

  • Single account structure with low spreads

  • Offers fixed and floating spread options

  • No dedicated ECN account

Pepperstone's Razor account gives institutional-level pricing, while Activetrades’ single account setup is more beginner-friendly, but lacks the pricing transparency and flexibility professionals might prefer.

Trading Platforms and Technology

Pepperstone supports:

  • MetaTrader 4 and 5

  • cTrader

  • TradingView (via integrations)

  • API and VPS for algo trading

Activetrades offers:

  • MetaTrader 4 and 5

  • ActivTrader – its proprietary platform with advanced order management and risk tools

While ActivTrader is intuitive and suitable for intermediate traders, Pepperstone provides more flexibility for algorithmic and professional-level trading strategies, especially through cTrader and VPS hosting.

Performance: Execution Speed and Pricing

Pepperstone is known for:

  • Sub-30ms execution times

  • Direct access to deep liquidity pools

  • ECN pricing with raw spreads starting at 0.0 pips

Activetrades has competitive speeds but operates on a market-making model, which may not suit scalpers or those needing institutional-level latency.

For serious execution reliability, Pepperstone clearly outperforms in real-time order fulfillment.

Tools, Analysis, and Education

Pepperstone offers:

  • Smart Trader Tools suite

  • Autochartist integration

  • Daily market analysis

  • Webinars and trading tutorials

Activetrades delivers:

  • Rich educational content (in multiple languages)

  • Webinars, trading guides, and tutorials

  • Advanced technical tools inside ActivTrader

Both brokers invest in trader education, but Pepperstone is slightly better for advanced technical analysis tools, while Activetrades is more accessible for beginners.

Deposits, Withdrawals, and Fee Transparency

Pepperstone supports:

  • Bank transfers, Visa/Mastercard

  • PayPal, Neteller, Skrill

  • No deposit or withdrawal fees

Activetrades supports:

  • Credit/debit cards, bank transfer

  • PayPal and Sofort (EU-focused)

  • Free withdrawals for most methods

Both brokers provide fast and free transactions, but Pepperstone has better support for global funding options, especially for traders outside the EU.

Customer Service and Global Support

Pepperstone delivers:

  • 24/5 multilingual support

  • Live chat, email, phone

  • Offices across the UK, Australia, UAE, Kenya, Germany

Activetrades offers:

  • 24/5 multilingual support

  • Personalized account management

  • Physical presence in Europe and South America

While both are highly rated, Pepperstone has greater global coverage, especially for English-speaking and APAC clients.

Pros and Cons Summary of Each Broker

Pepperstone Pros:

  • ECN pricing with tight spreads

  • cTrader and advanced algo support

  • Global regulation across 6+ jurisdictions

  • Excellent execution speed and infrastructure

Pepperstone Cons:

  • No proprietary platform

  • Slightly fewer share trading options

Activetrades Pros:

  • ActivTrader platform is easy to use

  • Good selection of shares and futures

  • Strong European support and education

Activetrades Cons:

  • No ECN or raw spread accounts

  • Less appealing for algorithmic or high-frequency traders

FAQs – Pepperstone Vs Activetrades 2025 Compared

1. Which broker has better spreads?Pepperstone, especially with the Razor account offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips.

2. Does Activetrades support cTrader?No. Only Pepperstone offers cTrader along with MT4 and MT5.

3. Is Activetrades better for stock trading?Yes, if you want access to real shares and futures.

4. Who is better for beginners?Activetrades has a more beginner-friendly platform and structured learning content.

5. Is Pepperstone better for scalping and algo trading?Yes. Its fast execution and ECN environment are ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders.

6. Which broker has more international regulation?Pepperstone is licensed in more Tier-1 jurisdictions globally.

Conclusion: Pepperstone or Activetrades – Best Pick for 2025?

Both brokers are reputable and offer great trading environments. Activetrades is ideal for European clients seeking share access, intuitive platforms, and simplicity. But if you want ultra-tight spreads, global regulation, institutional-grade execution, and algorithmic flexibility, then Pepperstone is the better choice in 2025.

👉 Trade Smarter with Pepperstone and access ECN pricing, cTrader, and premium tools trusted by professionals worldwide.

See more:

Pepperstone UK Review

Pepperstone Australia Review

Pepperstone UAE Review

Pepperstone Qatar Review

Pepperstone Philippines review

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