| Feature | Deriv | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 1982 |
| Regulation | Regulated by MFSA, VFSC, FSA, BVI FSC | Regulated by SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 for standard accounts, $2,000 for margin accounts |
| Trading Platforms | Deriv MT5, Deriv X, DTrader, DBot | TradeStation Desktop, Web Trading, Mobile App |
| Asset Classes | Forex, Commodities, Synthetic Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, CFDs | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs, Mutual Funds |
| Leverage | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:50 for Forex, varies for other assets |
| Spread Type | Variable | Variable |
| Commission | No commission on most assets, commission-based for some contracts | $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, $0.60 per contract for options |
| Charting Tools | Advanced charts with multiple indicators and customization | Professional-grade charting, extensive technical analysis tools |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop, Conditional Orders |
| Algo Trading | Available via DBot | Available via EasyLanguage scripting |
| Backtesting | Limited backtesting capabilities | Robust backtesting with historical data |
| Social Trading | Not available | Not available |
| Copy Trading | Not available | Available via TradingView integration |
| API Access | Available with Deriv API | Available with TradeStation API |
| Mobile Trading | Available for iOS and Android | Available for iOS and Android |
| Education and Resources | Limited tutorials, blog, help center | Extensive educational resources, webinars, and market insights |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat, email, limited phone support | Phone, live chat, email, during business hours |
| Deposit Methods | Bank transfer, Credit/Debit cards, E-wallets, Cryptocurrencies | Bank transfer, Credit/Debit cards, ACH, Wire transfer |
| Withdrawal Methods | Bank transfer, Credit/Debit cards, E-wallets, Cryptocurrencies | Bank transfer, Credit/Debit cards, ACH, Wire transfer |
| Security | SSL encryption, Two-factor authentication | SSL encryption, Two-factor authentication |
| Demo Account | Yes, unlimited virtual funds | Yes, with virtual funds |
| Fees | No inactivity fee, low trading fees | Inactivity fee applies, competitive trading fees |
| Geographic Availability | Available in many countries, some restrictions | Available in the U.S. and internationally, some restrictions |
| Best For | Beginner to intermediate traders, those looking for diverse instruments | Advanced traders, active and professional traders |
| Unique Features | Synthetic indices, AI-powered trading bots | EasyLanguage scripting, RadarScreen, Matrix trading tools |
| Drawbacks | Limited asset classes compared to TradeStation, less extensive educational resources | Inactivity fee, higher learning curve for beginners |
| Overall User Experience | Simple and user-friendly | Advanced and powerful, suitable for experienced traders |
| Custom Indicators | Creation via Deriv MT5, limited customization options | Full customization with EasyLanguage, access to a vast library of indicators |
| Execution Speed | Fast execution, optimized for synthetic indices | Ultra-fast execution, designed for high-frequency traders |
| Market Data Fees | Free for most assets | Fees for real-time data on specific exchanges |
| Margin Requirements | Low margin requirements for Forex and synthetic indices | Margin requirements vary by asset class, higher for futures |
| Volatility Indices | Available with various timeframes and tick durations | Not available |
| Tick Trades | Supported on DTrader platform | Not supported |
| Option Types | Digital options, lookbacks, and multipliers | Vanilla options with multiple strategies |
| Order Execution Type | Market execution | Direct market access (DMA), ECN execution |
| Scalping | Allowed | Allowed |
| Hedging | Permitted | Permitted |
| Funding Fees | Low, varies by payment method | May apply for certain funding methods |
| Interest on Idle Funds | Not provided | Interest paid on cash balances (for eligible accounts) |
| Rebate Programs | Cashback programs for active traders | Active trader program with commission discounts |
| Platform Customization | Limited customization on DTrader and DBot | Extensive customization on desktop and web platforms |
| Watchlists | Basic watchlists | Advanced watchlists with custom alerts |
| Hotkeys and Shortcuts | Basic hotkey support | Advanced hotkey functionality for fast order execution |
| News and Analysis | Economic calendar, limited market analysis | Integrated news feeds, in-depth analysis |
| Strategy Marketplace | Not available | Available with third-party integrations |
| Multi-Monitor Support | Not optimized | Full multi-monitor support |
| Languages Supported | Multiple languages | English, Spanish, and a few others |
| Localization | Localized payment methods and support in various regions | Limited localization, primarily focused on U.S. users |
| Timeframes Available | Ranges from ticks to monthly | Ranges from 1-second to monthly |
| Volume Indicators | Basic volume indicators | Advanced volume analysis tools, including Time & Sales |
| Profit Sharing Accounts | Not available | Available through affiliated brokers |
| Advanced Order Management | Limited to stop loss and take profit | Bracket orders, OCO (One Cancels Other), and more |
| Multi-Asset Trading | Limited to selected asset classes | Seamless multi-asset trading across stocks, options, futures, and forex |
| Weekend Trading | Available for synthetic indices | Limited weekend trading, primarily for cryptocurrencies |
| Asset Coverage Depth | Moderate depth, especially in synthetic indices | High depth across equities, options, and futures |
| Client Categorization | Retail and professional accounts | Individual, institutional, and professional accounts |
| Trade Automation Integration | API-based automation, DBot platform for scripting | Integration with third-party platforms, advanced scripting with EasyLanguage |
| User Interface Design | Simplistic, designed for beginners | Comprehensive, designed for professional traders |
| Order Execution Transparency | Visible spreads, order confirmation | Transparent execution with detailed reports |
| Stop Loss and Take Profit Features | Available on most platforms | Advanced trailing stops, contingent orders |
| Market Depth | Basic market depth for selected instruments | Level 2 market depth with real-time order book |
| Price Alerts | Available via web and mobile platforms | Advanced price alerts with multiple conditions |
| Custom Watchlists | Supports basic customization | Extensive customization with filters and sorting |
| Heat Maps | Not available | Available for stocks and options |
| Tick Charts | Supported for synthetic indices | Supported for all asset classes |
| Renko and Heikin Ashi Charts | Available on Deriv MT5 | Available on desktop and web platforms |
| Sentiment Analysis | Limited sentiment indicators | Integrated sentiment tools for stocks and options |
| Order Flow Analysis | Not available | Advanced order flow analysis |
| Trade Journals | Basic trade history | Integrated trade journaling tools |
| Performance Analytics | Limited performance metrics | In-depth performance analytics with ROI, win rate, and drawdown metrics |
| Custom Alerts | Basic alerts on price movements | Alerts based on technical indicators, volume, and price |
| Position Sizing Tools | Manual position sizing | Automated position sizing calculators |
| Risk Management Tools | Basic stop loss and take profit | Advanced risk management with volatility-based stops |
| Hotlist Scanners | Not available | Available with pre-built and custom filters |
| Sector and Industry Analysis | Limited to selected instruments | Comprehensive sector and industry analysis |
| Exchange Coverage | Forex, OTC markets | U.S. exchanges, international exchanges, futures exchanges |
| Dividend Tracking | Not supported | Available for stocks and ETFs |
| Earnings Calendar | Basic integration | Advanced earnings calendar with analyst estimates |
| Short Selling | Allowed for CFDs | Extensive short selling capabilities for stocks and options |
| Options Chains | Simplified options with limited strikes | Comprehensive options chains with Greeks and analysis tools |
| Advanced Chart Patterns | Basic patterns like double top and head & shoulders | Recognizes a wide range of patterns including harmonic patterns |
| Volume Profile | Limited volume analysis | Advanced volume profile tools |
| Cloud-based Trading | Available on Deriv X and DTrader | Available for web and mobile platforms |
| Multiple Account Management | Allows multiple MT5 accounts | Supports multiple accounts with easy switching |
| Thematic Investing | Not available | Thematic portfolios and strategies |
| Real-time Portfolio Tracking | Basic tracking | Advanced tracking with real-time analytics |
| Portfolio Margining | Not supported | Available for eligible accounts |
| Interest Rate Swaps | Available for Forex trading | Available with customizable terms |
| Complex Options Strategies | Limited to basic strategies | Supports iron condors, butterflies, straddles, and more |
| Implied Volatility Analysis | Basic implied volatility indicators | Detailed IV analysis for options trading |
| Synthetic Positions | Available with limited strategies | Full support for synthetic positions |
| Spread Trading | Supported for CFDs | Advanced spread trading for futures and options |
| HFT (High-Frequency Trading) Support | Not optimized for HFT | Optimized with co-location and low-latency execution |
| Tick-by-Tick Data | Limited availability | Full access for all asset classes |
| Python API Integration | Supported with REST API | Supported with comprehensive SDK |
| Options Greeks (Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega) | Basic Greek indicators | Advanced Greek analytics integrated in options chains |
| Seasonality Analysis | Not available | Available for futures and stocks |
| Auto-Sync Across Devices | Available | Available with seamless synchronization |
| Browser-based Trading | Available with DTrader and Deriv X | Available with robust web platform |
| HTML5 Charts | Supported | Supported |
| Dark Pool Access | Not available | Available for eligible accounts |
| Slippage Control | Basic slippage management | Advanced controls with detailed execution reports |
| News Sentiment Indicators | Basic integration | Comprehensive sentiment analysis tools |
| Custom Indicators via Scripting | Available via MT5 | Extensive with EasyLanguage |
| Execution Confirmation Reports | Basic reports | Detailed execution and confirmation reports |
| Volatility Analysis Tools | Limited to basic indicators | Advanced tools including Bollinger Bands, ATR, and custom volatility metrics |
| Currency Conversion Fees | Low and transparent | May vary based on the account type |
| Support for Trading Futures Contracts | Not available | Extensive futures contracts coverage |
| Regression Analysis Tools | Not available | Available with advanced charting tools |
Deriv is a beginner-friendly platform with low fees and diverse instruments, while TradeStation caters to advanced traders with powerful tools and extensive market coverage.