Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Deriv
Where CapTrader and Deriv differ
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $5Lower |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $25 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74% |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Minimum deposit is lower at Deriv: $5 vs $2,000.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Deriv: $0 vs $2.
- Inactivity fee is lower at CapTrader: $0 vs $25.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Options, Futures, Funds.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only Deriv offers Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only Deriv offers Crypto.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Deriv offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
Deriv
Deriv suits beginners and day-traders who want a $0 stock trade fee, a $5 minimum deposit and a demo account to practise on. Most retail accounts here lose money, at 74%, so the cheap entry is not a reason to trade lightly.
Score breakdown
| Area | CapTrader | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 8.9HigherAn inactivity fee of $25 is the weak spot, against $0 at Vantage. |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.9 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | CapTrader | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Pick CapTrader if, pick Deriv if
Pick CapTrader if offer, inactivity fee, and markets matter most.
Pick Deriv if minimum deposit and stock trade fee matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | CapTrader | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 19 of 471 | 160 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 7 of 147 | 69 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 7 of 145 | 67 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 7 of 122 | 58 of 122 |
Sources behind this comparison
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Deriv
- deriv.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokeranalysis.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxempire.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Day traders, Beginners |
| Support channels | Help centre | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Deriv | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $5below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $25highest quarter | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74%above the median | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
Deriv
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so no second broker is needed
- demo account, mobile app and crypto covers a demo account and a mobile app alongside Deriv Trader and Deriv MT5
- Built for beginners and day traders (day traders and beginners) rather than experienced traders only
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $25 applies to dormant balances, against $0 at Vantage
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone line or live chat listed
- Deriv reports that 74% of retail accounts lose money, above the 70.15% site median
Who each suits
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
Deriv
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a demo account and a small minimum deposit before going live
- Day-traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account
- Traders already comfortable with charting platforms, since Deriv MT5 is one of the platforms listed (Deriv MT5 and Deriv Trader)
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone leaving money parked for long: Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0
- Traders who want futures in the same account: the markets at eToro, stocks, etfs and forex, include them
- Traders who want the smallest possible entry: CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0
Questions about each
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
Deriv
What does it cost to open a Deriv account?+
The minimum deposit is $5, so the account opens on a small balance. Stock trades are charged at $0, which sits inside a commission-free model, so no commission is added per trade. Beginners and day traders are the stated audience.
Will I be charged if my account sits idle?+
Yes. Deriv charges an inactivity fee of $25 on an account left unused, which is the main cost trap here. Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0 by comparison, so a dormant balance is cheaper elsewhere. Move money you are not using rather than leaving it parked.
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