| Feature | eToro | PU Prime (Pacific Union) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2016 |
| Regulation | Regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia) | Regulated by FSA (Seychelles), FSCA (South Africa), SVGFSA (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) |
| Tradable Instruments | Offers over 5,000 instruments, including stocks, cryptocurrencies, currencies, commodities, ETFs, indices | Provides nearly 1,000 instruments across six asset classes, including forex, commodities, stocks, bonds, indices, ETFs |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary eToro platform available on web, iOS, and Android; does not support MetaTrader platforms | Supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), proprietary mobile app, and WebTrader |
| Social Trading | Renowned for its social trading features, including CopyTrader and a comprehensive social feed | Offers PU Social app with copy trading capabilities, allowing users to follow and replicate trades of experienced traders |
| Minimum Deposit | $10–$200, depending on the country | $20 for Cent account, $50 for Standard account, $1,000 for Prime account |
| Spreads & Commissions | Commission-free trading on most instruments; spreads from 0.75 pips on EUR/USD; charges a $5 withdrawal fee and a $10/month inactivity fee after 12 months of inactivity | Standard account: spreads from 1.9 pips, no commission; Prime account: spreads from 0.4 pips, $7 commission per lot; ECN account: spreads from 0.0 pips, $1 commission per lot; no inactivity fees; withdrawals under $100 subject to a $20 handling fee |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 for retail clients; up to 1:400 for professional clients | Up to 1:500 for most accounts; up to 1:1,000 for Pro account; leverage varies by instrument and account type |
| Deposit & Withdrawal | Supports credit/debit cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, bank transfers; no deposit fees; $5 withdrawal fee | Accepts UnionPay, Fasapay, cryptocurrencies (BTC/USDT), local payments, bank wire transfers, credit/debit cards, electronic payments (Skrill, Neteller, etc.); no deposit fees; withdrawals under $100 incur a $20 handling fee; some withdrawal methods may have external fees (e.g., Neteller 2%, Skrill 1%) |
| Customer Support | 24/5 live chat and email support; comprehensive FAQ section | 24/5 multilingual customer support via phone (+248 4671 948), email ([email protected]), and live chat; educational resources include video tutorials, articles, e-books, seminars, webinars, and a glossary |
| Educational Resources | eToro Academy offering educational videos, blog articles, and courses; demo account with virtual funds | Provides educational articles, video tutorials, e-books, seminars, webinars, and a glossary; demo account with virtual funds |
| Additional Features | Offers CopyTrader and Popular Investor Program for social trading; eToro Wallet for cryptocurrencies; demo account with unlimited time | Provides PU Social app for copy trading; Autochartist tool for technical analysis; swap-free Islamic account; demo account with virtual funds |
| Regulatory Protection | Client funds held in segregated accounts; negative balance protection; member of Investor Compensation Fund | Client funds held in segregated accounts; negative balance protection; regulated by FSA (Seychelles) and FSCA (South Africa); no tier 1 regulatory oversight |
| Accepted Countries | Available in numerous countries, including the UK, Australia, and parts of Europe; does not accept clients from certain jurisdictions, including the USA | Serves clients globally, with a multilingual interface; specific country restrictions not specified; clients should verify if services are available in their jurisdiction |
| Mobile Trading | Mobile app available for iOS and Android, offering full trading functionality and account management | Proprietary mobile app compatible with Android and iOS; MT4 and MT5 also available as mobile apps; features include full trading functionality, risk management tools, charting tools, and account management |
| Research & Analysis | Provides market news, analysis, and trading ideas; chart analysis tools; fundamental data available | Offers daily market analysis, research tools, and Autochartist for technical analysis; economic calendar and news updates available |
| Account Types | Single account type for retail clients; professional account available upon request; demo account with virtual funds | Multiple account types: Cent, Standard, Prime, Pro, ECN, and Islamic; each with varying features, minimum deposits, and trading conditions; demo account with virtual funds |
| Fees | No deposit fees; $5 withdrawal fee; inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months of inactivity; spreads vary by instrument; overnight fees apply | No deposit fees; withdrawals under $100 incur a $20 handling fee; some withdrawal methods have external fees; spreads and commissions vary by account type; no inactivity fees; swap rates apply for positions held overnight |
| Promotions & Bonuses | Generally does not offer bonuses or promotions due to regulatory restrictions | Offers promotions such as deposit bonuses and trading contests; affiliate program available for partners; clients should check the website for current offers |
| Demo Account | Yes, with unlimited time and virtual funds | Yes, with virtual funds; allows traders to practice strategies and familiarize themselves with the platform |
| Islamic Account | Yes, swap-free Islamic account available upon request | Yes, offers swap-free Islamic account compliant with Sharia law |
| Accepted Payment Methods | Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Rapid Transfer, iDEAL, Klarna/Sofort Banking, bank transfer, local online banking (Credit cards and PayPal not available for deposits for users under FCA regulation) | UnionPay, Fasapay, cryptocurrencies (BTC/USDT), local payments, bank wire transfers, credit/debit cards, electronic payments (Skrill, Neteller, Bitwallet, Sticpay, Astropay); processing times and limits vary by method; no deposit fees; some withdrawal methods may have external fees |
| Accepted Base Currencies | USD | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, HKD, SGD; clients can choose their preferred base currency when opening an account |
| Spread Types | Fixed spreads for stocks and cryptocurrencies; variable spreads for forex and other CFDs | Variable spreads across all instruments and account types; tighter spreads available on Prime and ECN accounts |
| Supported Cryptocurrencies | Over 70 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP), and Cardano (ADA) | Supports major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP), as well as trading against fiat currencies such as USD |
| Fractional Shares | Allows fractional share trading for stocks and ETFs | Does not explicitly offer fractional share trading |
| Stock Investment | Real stock trading available in addition to CFD trading, enabling users to own the underlying asset | Only CFDs offered on stocks, no ownership of the underlying asset |
| Fees for Cryptos | 1% spread fee when opening and closing a position; conversion fees for non-USD transactions | Variable spreads on cryptocurrency CFDs; no ownership of cryptocurrencies, only derivatives trading |
| Regulatory Compensation | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) for CySEC-regulated regions; no compensation under other regulations | No investor compensation schemes; client funds segregated, but fewer protections due to reliance on offshore regulatory authorities |
| Access to IPOs | Yes, offers access to IPOs for selected stocks via its platform | Does not provide direct access to IPOs; clients can trade CFDs on newly listed stocks after IPOs are completed |
| Advanced Charting Tools | Basic charting features available on eToro platform; less advanced than MT4/MT5 tools | Comprehensive charting tools via MT4/MT5 platforms; includes indicators, drawing tools, and customizable templates |
| Trading Signals | Offers proprietary signals and insights on platform | Provides Autochartist signals and integrated analysis tools on MT4/MT5 |
| Algorithmic Trading | Limited algorithmic trading options; no integration with MT4/MT5 or external tools | Supports algorithmic trading on MT4/MT5 through Expert Advisors (EAs); allows customization and third-party bot integration |
| Market Sentiment Tools | Offers real-time market sentiment for instruments based on user trades and positions | Sentiment tools available on MT4/MT5 platforms, based on aggregated market data |
| News Feeds | Integrated market news and updates from major financial sources on the eToro platform | News feed and updates accessible via MT4/MT5, with additional analysis available on PU Prime’s website |
| Trading Contests | No trading contests available due to regulatory restrictions | Hosts trading competitions and challenges with cash prizes for participants |
| Supported APIs | No open API access available for integration | Offers APIs for account integration, algorithmic trading, and data analysis for advanced traders |
| Affiliate Program | Affiliate program available; rewards based on referrals, subject to regulatory restrictions | Comprehensive affiliate and IB (Introducing Broker) programs available, with multi-tier commission structures |
| Account Verification | Mandatory verification through government-issued ID, proof of address, and potentially other documents depending on regulatory requirements | Verification process includes ID, proof of residence, and additional checks for high-net-worth accounts; verification time depends on account type |
| Scalping & Hedging | Scalping and hedging not permitted on eToro platform | Both scalping and hedging are allowed; ideal for high-frequency traders |
| Order Types | Market, limit, stop-loss, take-profit, trailing stop | Supports advanced order types on MT4/MT5, including one-click trading, limit orders, and partial fills |
| Customizable Layouts | Proprietary platform with a fixed layout; minimal customization options | MT4/MT5 platforms offer highly customizable layouts with saved templates and workspaces |
| Account Segregation | Fully segregated accounts with Tier-1 banks for client funds | Client funds held in segregated accounts; protection level varies by regulatory authority |
| CopyPortfolios | Offers thematic investment portfolios (Smart Portfolios) managed by experts; includes market portfolios and top trader portfolios | Does not offer CopyPortfolios; provides only individual copy trading via PU Social |
| Negative Balance Protection | Available for all clients under retail accounts; ensures clients cannot lose more than their deposited funds | Available for all account types; prevents clients from incurring a negative balance even in volatile markets |
| Partnership Programs | Offers an affiliate program and Popular Investor Program for social trading influencers | Features Introducing Broker (IB), White Label, and Affiliate Partnership programs for commissions and business collaborations |
| Supported Regions | Available in more than 140 countries; restrictions in the USA, Canada (except Quebec), and a few others | Serves clients globally, including Asia, Africa, and Oceania; fewer restrictions due to offshore regulation |
| Chart Timeframes | Limited to proprietary charting options on the eToro platform; fewer timeframes compared to advanced charting platforms | MT4/MT5 provide a full range of chart timeframes from 1 minute to monthly |
| Trailing Stop Orders | Available on the proprietary platform, but cannot be set independently; requires manual activation | Fully supported on MT4/MT5 with automated functionality for easier trailing stop setup |
| Risk Management Tools | Provides basic risk management tools like stop-loss, take-profit, and leverage adjustment; some limitations in order customization | Advanced risk management tools available on MT4/MT5, including position sizing calculators, margin calculators, and risk assessment reports |
| Advanced Trading Features | Limited advanced features due to reliance on a proprietary platform; lacks features like Depth of Market (DOM) | Offers advanced features like Depth of Market (DOM), one-click trading, automated trading via EAs, and sophisticated order management |
| Swap-Free Options | Islamic accounts available upon request; swap fees waived for qualified clients | Islamic (swap-free) accounts fully supported across all account types; no overnight fees for these accounts |
| Spread Rebates | No spread rebates or cashback programs available | Offers cashback programs and spread rebates for high-volume traders and partners |
| Execution Models | Market maker model; acts as a counterparty for trades | Hybrid model offering both ECN/STP (for specific accounts) and market maker execution depending on the account type |
| Latency | Proprietary platform optimized for moderate speeds; less ideal for high-frequency trading | Low-latency execution on ECN accounts, making it suitable for scalping and high-frequency strategies |
| Commissions on Forex | No commission on forex pairs; spreads only | Forex commissions depend on the account type (Standard: $0, Prime: $7/lot, ECN: $1/lot); tighter spreads on premium accounts |
| Withdrawal Processing Time | 1–5 business days, depending on the withdrawal method | Withdrawals processed within 1–3 business days for most methods; crypto withdrawals may take longer due to blockchain confirmations |
| Deposits in Crypto | Does not support direct cryptocurrency deposits; only fiat deposits that can be used to buy cryptocurrencies | Supports direct cryptocurrency deposits using Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) alongside fiat deposit options |
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | Does not support PAMM or MAM account management features | Provides PAMM (Percentage Allocation Management Module) and MAM (Multi-Account Management) solutions for professional account managers |
| Leverage for Cryptos | Up to 1:2 for retail clients trading cryptocurrencies | Offers up to 1:10 leverage on cryptocurrency CFDs, depending on account type and jurisdiction |
| VIP Accounts | VIP program available for clients with higher balances; offers reduced fees and dedicated account managers | VIP accounts with benefits like priority support, better spreads, and exclusive promotions; thresholds vary based on account type |
| Economic Calendar | Integrated into the platform; features limited to major global events | Comprehensive economic calendar available via MT4/MT5 and the website; includes real-time updates and customizable event alerts |
| Third-Party Tools | Does not integrate third-party tools like Trading Central or Autochartist | Supports Autochartist and Trading Central plugins for technical analysis and trade ideas |
| Promotional Offers | No promotional offers or bonuses due to regulatory compliance | Frequently offers deposit bonuses, cashback, and trading contests for clients in eligible regions |
| Mobile Analytics | Proprietary app includes basic analytics and portfolio tracking | Mobile app supports advanced analytics, including detailed trade history, performance statistics, and risk metrics |
| Position Holding Time | No specific restrictions on position holding time | Allows unlimited position holding for most accounts; Islamic accounts have conditions regarding long-term holdings |
| Broker Transparency | Detailed information available on fees, trading conditions, and execution policies | Transparent fee structures, with more flexibility for professional clients; less stringent reporting than tier-1 regulated brokers |
eToro excels in social trading and real stock ownership, while PU Prime offers advanced tools like MT4/MT5, PAMM accounts, and high leverage, catering to different trading needs.