Two brokers compete on regulation, costs, and platforms. The matchup tests whether tighter spreads and more platforms trump broader asset access and multi-regulatory oversight.
Pepperstone is the editorial winner, scoring 4.7 to ADS Securities' 4.3, driven by higher Fees & Spreads, Platforms & Tools, and Customer Support scores.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you value dual regulation with FCA and FSRA.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you want broad regulation across multiple authorities.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.50 pips for ADS Securities, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
Pros
FSRA (ADGM) and FCA dual regulation, institutional-grade UAE framework
Institutional prime brokerage liquidity for tight spreads
Multi-asset including equities and fixed income
FIX API available for algorithmic and professional clients
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ADS Securities rates 4.3/5 and Pepperstone rates 4.7/5. Pepperstone has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Pepperstone starts from 0 pips, tighter than ADS Securities's 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and Pepperstone hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
Pepperstone stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ADS Securities lists maximum leverage of 200:1, while Pepperstone lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Pepperstone charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ADS Securities are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ADS Securities has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Pepperstone wins safety & regulation with broader multi-jurisdiction oversight across FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, and others.
Pepperstone wins for active traders with 1200 instruments and MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView access.
Pepperstone is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Pepperstone wins platform choice with MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView options.
Pepperstone wins instrument variety with 1200 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Melbourne, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $2,000 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 200:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSRA FCA | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CySEC, DFSA licensed
Razor account: tight spreads + transparent commission
TradingView + MT4 / MT5 / cTrader
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
$2,000 minimum deposit, not accessible to entry-level retail traders
Primary focus on institutional and HNW clients; limited retail tools
Less suitable for traders seeking educational support or copy trading
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
Cons
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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