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Check device and access options

Start by confirming where you need to trade. Pepperstone offers desktop platforms for Windows, Mac, and Linux, plus browser versions and apps for Android and iOS. OANDA provides a web-based platform, mobile apps for Android and iOS, and access through TradingView and MT4. Verify whether your preferred device is supported and whether you need downloadable software or browser access.

Sources: [1] [2]

Match automation needs

If you use automated strategies, check which platforms support them. Pepperstone offers EAs and backtesting on MT4, MT5, and cTrader, plus API connectivity and cTrader Automate for creating and running strategies. OANDA supports MT4 for building algorithms and backtesting, with plug-ins and upgrades available. Confirm whether your strategy requires specific automation tools or languages before committing.

Sources: [1] [2]

Evaluate charting and analysis

Consider how you analyze markets. Pepperstone provides TradingView with hundreds of built-in indicators, custom timeframes, and active alerts, plus 28 exclusive indicators and EAs through MetaTrader Smart Trader. OANDA offers technical analysis tools, overlays, AutoChartist, and TradingView integration with 100-plus fundamental fields and community features. Check whether the platform provides the specific indicators, drawing tools, or data types your workflow requires.

Sources: [1] [2]

Review instrument availability

Ensure your target markets are accessible on your chosen platform. Pepperstone lists 1350-plus instruments across all platforms, including margin forex, share CFDs, index CFDs, commodity CFDs, cryptocurrency CFDs, and ETF CFDs. OANDA offers forex and, through its mobile app, crypto access, with spot cryptocurrency trading via Paxos partnership. Verify that your preferred asset classes are available on the specific platform you intend to use.

Sources: [1] [2]

Confirm order types and risk tools

Check whether the platform supports your execution preferences. OANDA's comparison shows advanced order types on mobile but not on web or TradingView. Pepperstone highlights multiple order types on MT5 and institutional-style liquidity on cTrader. Review whether you need market depth, detachable charts, cloud-hosting, or adjustable session times, as these vary by platform.

Sources: [1] [2]

Sources

  1. Pepperstone: platforms ↗
  2. OANDA: platforms ↗

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