Abshire Smith
lightspeed
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
Abshire Smith was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in United kingdom, while lightspeed was established in 2014 and is based in USA. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. Abshire Smith serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; lightspeed has 142,500+. The minimum deposit is $500 at Abshire Smith and $250 at lightspeed.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $500 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F269 |
| Founded | 1997 | 2014 |
| Country | United kingdom | USA |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 142,500+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Abshire Smith and lightspeed, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. lightspeed has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $250 (vs $500 at Abshire Smith). lightspeed charges withdrawal fees while Abshire Smith does not, giving Abshire Smith an edge for frequent withdrawers. lightspeed applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Abshire Smith does not. Abshire Smith charges deposit fees; lightspeed does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $500 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Abshire Smith offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while lightspeed supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4, cTrader Platform | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Abshire Smith and lightspeed compare. lightspeed runs regular live webinars; Abshire Smith does not. lightspeed has a video library; Abshire Smith does not. lightspeed publishes daily market commentary; Abshire Smith does not. lightspeed integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); Abshire Smith does not. lightspeed maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. lightspeed scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Abshire Smith accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while lightspeed supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). lightspeed uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. lightspeed scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Abshire Smith and lightspeed offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Abshire Smith supports 2 languages and lightspeed supports 8, giving lightspeed broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |