| Feature | Deriv | Alpaca |
|---|---|---|
| Asset Classes | Forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, synthetic indices, stocks, stock indices | U.S. equities, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, options |
| Commission Structure | Competitive spreads, no commission on certain trades | Commission-free trading for U.S. listed securities and options; relevant SEC and FINRA fees may apply |
| API Access | Proprietary API for algorithmic trading | Comprehensive API for stocks, options, and crypto trading; supports algorithmic trading and app development |
| Platform Accessibility | Web-based platform, mobile apps for iOS and Android | Web-based dashboard, mobile apps, API access |
| Market Data | Real-time data available | Real-time market data with up to 10,000 API calls per minute and over 7 years of historical data |
| Paper Trading | Demo accounts available for practice | Paper trading and backtesting with real-time market data |
| Educational Resources | Tutorials, webinars, and educational materials | Documentation, how-to articles, community forums, GitHub, Slack support |
| Customer Support | Email support, live chat, community forums | Primarily email support; relies on forums, GitHub, and Slack for community assistance |
| Regulation and Licensing | Regulated by multiple financial authorities | Registered broker-dealer in the U.S. |
| Minimum Deposit Requirement | Low minimum deposit; varies by account type | No minimum deposit for individual cash accounts; $2,000 required for margin accounts |
| Deposit and Withdrawal Methods | Various methods including bank transfers, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies | Supports bank wires; $25 withdrawal fee for domestic transactions, $50 for international |
| Supported Countries | Global availability; certain country restrictions apply | Primarily caters to U.S. residents; beta program for international business clients with a $30,000 minimum deposit |
| Options Trading | Not specified | Offers single and multi-leg options trading; commission-free for retail investors |
| Leverage | Offers high leverage, customizable based on account type and regulations | Up to 2:1 for margin accounts under U.S. regulations |
| Order Types | Market orders, limit orders, stop orders, Good Till Cancelled (GTC), and Good For Day (GFD) | Market orders, limit orders, stop-limit orders, bracket orders, trailing stop orders |
| Trading Platforms | DTrader, DBot, MetaTrader 5 (MT5), SmartTrader | Web-based platform, API-based trading, integration with third-party platforms like TradingView and Excel |
| Risk Management Tools | Stop loss, take profit, trailing stops, risk-free trades in some cases | Stop loss, take profit, bracket orders, risk control through API scripting |
| Supported Programming Languages for API | Python, JavaScript | Python, JavaScript, Go, C#, and RESTful API |
| Integration Capabilities | Compatible with MetaTrader and third-party tools | Integrates with TradingView, Zapier, IFTTT, and custom applications via API |
| Trading Fees | Swap fees for overnight positions, variable spreads, no inactivity fee | No trading fees for U.S. stocks and ETFs; regulatory fees apply for sales only |
| Algorithmic Trading | Automated strategies via DBot and API | Extensive support for algorithmic trading with Python SDK and broker API |
| Security Features | Two-factor authentication (2FA), data encryption, segregated client funds | Two-factor authentication (2FA), API keys for security, encryption standards |
| Social Trading | Does not offer social trading | No native social trading but API allows for third-party integrations |
| Tax Reporting | Basic reporting tools, user responsible for tax compliance | Provides 1099 tax forms for U.S. residents, capital gains tracking via API |
| Trade Execution Speed | Competitive execution speed, low latency | High-speed execution via API, sub-millisecond latency in certain conditions |
| Mobile Trading | Available through native apps for iOS and Android | Mobile access via web and app with full API capabilities |
| Advanced Charting Tools | Offers multiple chart types, technical indicators, drawing tools | Advanced charting via TradingView integration, real-time data feeds |
| Community Support | Community forums, knowledge base | Active GitHub community, Slack channels, forums, API documentation |
| Account Types | Standard, advanced, synthetic indices accounts | Cash accounts, margin accounts, corporate and LLC accounts |
| Funding Speed | Instant for e-wallets and crypto, 1–3 business days for bank transfers | ACH transfers within 1–2 business days, wires processed same or next business day |
| Historical Data Access | Provides historical data for selected assets | Over 7 years of historical data for equities and options via API |
| Notifications and Alerts | Price alerts, custom notifications via mobile app | Webhooks, email alerts, push notifications via API integration |
| Hedging Capabilities | Supports hedging strategies on MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Allows hedging through multiple accounts and API scripting |
| Scalping Support | Permitted with no time restrictions between trades | Supported without limitations via API and direct access |
| Swap-Free Accounts | Islamic accounts available with no swap fees | Does not offer swap-free accounts |
| Corporate Accounts | Available for businesses and institutional traders | Supports corporate and LLC accounts with custom API access |
| Regulatory Compliance | Compliance with multiple international regulators | FINRA, SIPC, and SEC regulated for U.S. markets |
| Recurring Investments | Not available | Supports automated recurring investments via API scripting |
| Dividend Handling | Dividends credited for stock and ETF holdings | Dividends processed for cash accounts and reinvestment options available |
| Fractional Shares | Does not support fractional shares | Offers fractional shares for U.S. equities |
| Trade Restrictions | No pattern day trading rule | Subject to pattern day trading rule for margin accounts under U.S. law |
| Multi-Currency Accounts | Supports multiple base currencies including USD, EUR, GBP | Primarily USD-based accounts, limited multi-currency support |
| Spreads | Variable and fixed spreads available | No spreads for equities, commission-free model |
| Automation Tools | DBot for creating automated strategies without coding | Automated trading via API and third-party integrations |
| Custom Indicators | Allows importing custom indicators on MT5 | Supports custom indicators via TradingView integration |
| Backtesting Capabilities | Historical data for backtesting on MT5 | Extensive backtesting with real-time and historical data via API |
| Account Verification Time | Usually 1–2 business days | Typically 1–3 business days for KYC verification |
| Reputation and User Feedback | High ratings for ease of use and diverse assets | Positive feedback for API reliability and commission-free trading |
| Contests and Promotions | Offers trading contests and bonuses occasionally | No contests; focuses on API-driven trading experience |
| Supported Industries | Retail traders, institutional clients, financial advisors | Retail traders, fintech developers, institutional traders |
| Advanced Orders | Supports OCO (One Cancels the Other) and trailing stops | Supports OCO, trailing stops, and advanced multi-leg orders |
| Currency Pairs | Over 50+ forex pairs including majors, minors, and exotics | No forex trading, limited to U.S. equities and crypto pairs |
| Web-based Platform Features | Clean interface, multiple chart layouts, custom widgets | API-first approach, minimalistic web dashboard, data visualization tools |
| API Limitations | API rate limits based on account type | 10,000 API calls per minute limit, scalable with premium plans |
| Fees for Inactivity | No inactivity fees | No inactivity fees for cash accounts, API access remains active |
| Profit Withdrawal Time | Instant for crypto and e-wallets, 1–5 business days for banks | ACH withdrawals within 2–5 business days, wire transfers faster |
| Service Availability | 24/7 customer service for certain account types | Primarily email support, no 24/7 availability |
| IP Whitelisting | Does not specify IP whitelisting for API | IP whitelisting for API access, enhancing security |
| Customizable Dashboard | Custom widgets and layouts on web and app | API-driven customization for third-party dashboards |
| Execution Models | Straight-through processing (STP) and market maker | Agency model, no dealing desk interference |
Deriv offers diverse assets and high leverage with beginner-friendly platforms, while Alpaca focuses on commission-free U.S. equities trading with robust API support for algorithmic traders.