Pepperstone vs AvaTrade: Which Is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Pepperstone and AvaTrade? Here is the short answer, then the full breakdown on fees, features, and who each one is best for.
Reviewed by Yaniv Barshaf, CPA · Fees verified 17 August 2026 · Our methodology
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Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The majority 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.
Best overall: Pepperstone
Both are multi-regulated CFD and forex brokers, but they target different traders. Pepperstone is built for active traders: very tight Razor-account spreads, a choice of MT4, MT5, TradingView and cTrader, and no inactivity fee. AvaTrade leans more beginner-friendly with copy trading and a wider platform line-up, but charges a quarterly inactivity fee plus an annual administration fee. For low cost and platform choice, Pepperstone; for platform choice and simplicity, AvaTrade. Both are CFD-only.
- Best for beginners: AvaTrade
- Best for low fees: Pepperstone
- Best for advanced: Pepperstone
Capital at risk. This is not financial advice. Investing involves risk of loss.
Pepperstone vs AvaTrade at a glance
| Feature | PepperstoneCFD | AvaTradeCFD |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.6 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Stock commission | Razor: raw spreads plus a fixed commission on FX and Spot Gold (XAU/USD) only — GBP 2.25 per lot per side on a GBP account, USD 3.50 on a USD account, so GBP 4.50 / USD 7 round turn, charged in full when the position opens on MT4 and MT5; cTrader is USD 6 round turn on FX. Standard: no commission on FX, indices or commodities (the cost sits in the spread), but share CFDs cost from 0.1% per side | No commission; cost is in the spread (from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD) |
| Withdrawal fee | Free, except bank wire withdrawals to an international bank account, which are charged GBP 15 | Free |
| Inactivity fee | None | USD 50 a quarter (EUR 50 / GBP 50, by account currency) after three consecutive months of non-use, and every successive quarter, plus an annual administration fee of USD 100 / EUR 100 / GBP 100 after twelve consecutive months |
| Min deposit | None | $100, €100 or £100 depending on your account currency |
| Fractional shares | No | No |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Regulators | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin | Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FSCA |
Pros and cons
Pepperstone
Pros
- +Among the lowest spreads in the market (Razor account)
- +No inactivity fee, no minimum deposit
- +MT4, MT5, TradingView and cTrader supported
- +Strong multi-jurisdiction regulation
Cons
- −CFD/forex only — no real share ownership
- −Razor account adds a per-lot commission
- −Best value mainly for active traders
AvaTrade
Pros
- +Published spread tables for every instrument
- +Multi-regulated, long track record
- +Beginner-friendly AvaTradeGO app
- +Free withdrawals
Cons
- −CFD/forex only — no real share ownership
- −Inactivity fee after just 3 months
- −$100 annual administration fee after 12 months idle
Pepperstone
Best for active forex and CFD traders who want low spreads
Capital at risk. This is not financial advice. Investing involves risk of loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pepperstone or AvaTrade cheaper?
Pepperstone charges Free, except bank wire withdrawals to an international bank account, which are charged GBP 15 for withdrawals, while AvaTrade charges Free. Stock commission is Razor: raw spreads plus a fixed commission on FX and Spot Gold (XAU/USD) only — GBP 2.25 per lot per side on a GBP account, USD 3.50 on a USD account, so GBP 4.50 / USD 7 round turn, charged in full when the position opens on MT4 and MT5; cTrader is USD 6 round turn on FX. Standard: no commission on FX, indices or commodities (the cost sits in the spread), but share CFDs cost from 0.1% per side on Pepperstone and No commission; cost is in the spread (from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD) on AvaTrade. Your real cost depends on how often you trade and withdraw.
Is Pepperstone safe?
Pepperstone is regulated by FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin. Regulation does not remove investment risk, but it means client funds are subject to oversight in those jurisdictions.
Which is better for beginners, Pepperstone or AvaTrade?
AvaTrade is generally the more beginner-friendly option thanks to a simpler interface and lower barriers to entry.
Pepperstone
Best for active forex and CFD traders who want low spreads
Capital at risk. This is not financial advice. Investing involves risk of loss.