Two brokers with distinct approaches to stock trading face off in this comparison. ACY Securities emphasizes ASIC-regulated CFDs and ECN execution, while eToro highlights commission-free real stocks and social trading.
eToro wins on the editorial score, while ACY Securities maintains ASIC regulation with negative balance protection.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want ASIC regulation with negative balance protection and live phone support.
Choose eToro if…
Choose eToro if you want commission-free real stock trading, fractional shares, and a social trading community.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
eToro wins for low cost trading due to commission-free real stocks.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | $50 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and eToro rates 4.1/5. eToro 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.
ACY Securities lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with eToro's 1. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Both ACY Securities and eToro require a minimum deposit of $50 to open a live trading account.
Both ACY Securities and eToro 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.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while eToro lists up to 1:5. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for eToro are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. eToro has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
eToro offers commission-free stock trading while ACY Securities does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
eToro scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
eToro wins for safety & regulation with multiple major regulators including FCA and ASIC.
eToro wins for long-term investors with fractional shares enabling smaller, gradual position building.
ACY Securities suits active traders with ECN execution and advanced charting.
eToro wins for beginners with a clean interface and social trading features.
eToro provides broader global access with 17 exchanges vs 5 for ACY.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | USD 5 per withdrawal |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FCA CNB CMVM ASIC HCMC AMF FSA Seychelles FSRA CySEC Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet ASF MFSA Finansinspektionen FSC MNB KNF CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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