ACY Securities and Pepperstone compete in the same ECN space, weighing regulation, platform depth, and global reach. The comparison reveals how regulatory profiles and platform ecosystems can influence investor choices.
Pepperstone edges ACY Securities on the editorial score. Its deeper regulatory coverage, broader platform suite, and compensation scheme underpin the higher score.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you value ASIC regulation with negative balance protection and segregated funds for peace of mind. You also gain ECN share CFDs with professional MT4/MT5 charting, though research tools stay relatively basic.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you want broad multi-regulatory oversight, including FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, FMA, and DFSA. In addition you access 1,000+ share CFDs and IRESS DMA, plus transparent commission structures and deep platform integration for existing traders.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone offers a deeper multi-regulatory footprint than ACY Securities.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and Pepperstone rates 3.9/5. 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.
Both ACY Securities and Pepperstone start from the same spread of 0. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Pepperstone lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Both ACY Securities and Pepperstone charge the same commission of $7 per trade on applicable accounts. 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 Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS.
Neither ACY Securities nor Pepperstone is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Pepperstone 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.
Pepperstone is better for active traders due to extensive CFDs and DMA.
Pepperstone attracts beginners with a zero-dollar minimum deposit.
Pepperstone provides broader global access across more exchanges.
Pepperstone wins for transparent share CFD commissions.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or a DRIP.
| 0.7 pips |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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