Pepperstone vs IC
Are Pepperstone and IC equally matched? We analyze both brokers to assist you in selecting the best option for your trading strategy.
Pepperstone and IC were both tested in a live account by the BrokerListings team. We spent 50+ hours reviewing Pepperstone and IC and comparing them.
Written ByJames Barra
James is an experienced broker analyst with a background in financial services. He has spent 2,500+ hours testing brokers, used 35+ different platforms and apps, audited 120+ broker T&Cs, and verified 300+ regulatory licenses. James has also been on US and UK TV, and been a guest on finance podcasts, discussing reports conducted by BrokerListings.com and sharing his expertise.
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Fact Checked ByTobias Robinson
Tobias is committed to helping traders find the right brokerage for their needs. He has tested 200+ brokers, spent 2,600+ hours using different platforms, and placed 2,100+ trades.
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Edited ByWilliam Berg
William Berg combines his expertise in law and finance to analyze trading brokers. He has checked 3,250+ regulatory licenses, investigated 2,365+ broker clones and trading scams, and placed 3,500+ trades.
William Berg Profile PageAugust 20, 2026
Quick Verdict
Neither Pepperstone nor IC accepts traders from USA. Instead, we recommend FOREX.com, a top-rated alternative that impressed our team during testing and accepts traders from your location.
IC (previously known as IC Markets) and Pepperstone are both strong choices for experienced traders. Each offers reliable platforms and tools. Both provide demo accounts to practice trading. However, IC might be preferable for more experienced traders due to its lower spreads, while beginners may find Pepperstone’s range of educational resources more beneficial.
Pepperstone and IC lack proprietary platforms, but they both support popular third-party platforms. Pepperstone stands out for its demo account flexibility and beginner support. This can make it a better fit for less experienced traders. IC excels in offering competitive trading fees, making it attractive for cost-conscious traders.
Both brokers thrive on customer support and regulation. They comply with multiple regulatory bodies, ensuring user protection. IC offers a wider range of withdrawal options and financial assets. Conversely, Pepperstone places more emphasis on user education and diverse account options for various trading preferences.
Regulation & Trust
IC is well-regulated by top bodies, such as ASIC and CySEC. It ensures a reliable trading environment. On the other hand, Pepperstone tops IC in regulation by being authorized by 4 green-tier regulators. Although IC Markets faced a 2024 lawsuit over client evaluations, it continues to maintain trust through strong regulatory oversight. Both companies are not listed on stock exchanges and don’t publicly disclose financial data.
Accounts & Banking
Pepperstone offers both Standard and Razor accounts, similar to IC’s Standard and Raw Spread accounts. Both brokers provide traders with market access at competitive costs. Opening an account is straightforward with both brokers, but Pepperstone offers more base currency options and a swap-free account. IC provides a Raw Trader Plus option for high-volume traders, enhancing their banking offerings. Pepperstone’s deposit methods focus on cards, bank transfers, and PayPal, while IC provides more flexible options like branch cash deposits and Klarna.
Assets & Markets
IC offers over 2,250 instruments, focusing heavily on forex and CFDs. It provides more opportunities than Pepperstone, which offers over 1,300 assets, limited to CFDs. Both brokers present high leverage options: up to 1:200 for Pepperstone and 1:500 for IC. Pepperstone’s asset range is more diverse but lacks stock ownership opportunities. Meanwhile, IC supports a broad array of commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
Fees & Costs
IC is superior in providing lower trading fees with exceptionally low spreads. However, both brokers do not offer interest payments on cash balances. Pepperstone features a rebate program reducing costs for traders who meet trading volume requirements. Both brokers typically do not charge deposit fees, but withdrawal fees can vary. IC charges a $20 fee on bank wire withdrawals.
Platforms & Tools
Pepperstone lacks a proprietary trading platform but supports MetaTrader, cTrader, and TradingView. IC also provides these platforms, focusing on execution services. IC added TradingView support. Thus, both brokers have strong third-party support, providing advanced charting and trading tools. Copy trading is available on both platforms but limited. Pepperstone offers innovative features like Capitalise.ai, while IC enriches its platforms with vibrant trading communities.
Research
Both brokers fall short compared to industry leaders. Pepperstone has useful research tools and daily articles. IC provides Autochartist and Trading Central tools with valuable analytics. IC enriches the trading experience with a better range of technical summaries and news feeds. However, its educational resources lag in quality and organization.
Education
Pepperstone excels with accessible educational content like guides, AI-toolkits, and webinars. It expands knowledge for new traders. IC offers basic trading tutorials but lacks organization. It does not compare to leaders like CMC Markets. Both brokers could improve by categorizing content based on experience levels.
Customer Support
Both brokers offer notable customer support with live chat, email, and phone assistance. Pepperstone extends Arabic support and FAQs, while IC ensures efficient support with limited agent knowledge. Both companies address customer inquiries promptly.
Is Pepperstone or IC Markets Better For Beginners?
Pepperstone is better for beginners due to its educational offerings and friendly account opening procedures. With no minimum deposit, varied accounts, and accessible demo accounts, Pepperstone excels in supporting new traders.
Is Pepperstone or IC Markets Better For Experienced Traders?
IC outshines Pepperstone for experienced traders seeking low spreads and a broad instrument range. With the Raw Spread account and support for advanced trading platforms, IC meets professional trader needs efficiently.
Why Pick Pepperstone Over IC Markets?
Pepperstone offers strong educational resources, no minimum deposits, and flexible demo options. Its regulatory oversight provides a secure trading environment. With competitive platforms and swift customer support, it’s a strong option for novice traders.
Why Pick IC Markets Over Pepperstone?
IC appeals with low trading costs, fast execution, and advanced platform support. The wide array of instruments ensures ample trading opportunities. For experienced traders focusing on cost-effectiveness, IC is the preferred choice.
Compare Pepperstone and IC Details
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Pepperstone
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IC
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Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly-rated forex and CFD broker with over 830,000 global clients. It provides access to 1,400+ instruments on top platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, with low, clear fees. Pepperstone is regulated by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure trading environment. | IC Markets (now IC) is a leading global forex and CFD broker, praised for its competitive pricing, wide range of trading instruments, and advanced trading technology. Established in 2007 and based in Australia, it is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and FSA, serving over 180,000 clients in more than 200 countries. | |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto CFDs (only Pro clients), Spread Betting | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto |
| Demo Account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $200 |
| Trading Platforms | Pepperstone Trading Platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower |
| Payment Methods | Apple Pay, BPAY, Credit Card, Debit Card, Google Wallet, M-Pesa, Mastercard, Neteller, PayPal, PIX Payment, Skrill, UnionPay, Visa, Wire Transfer | BPAY, Credit Card, Klarna, Mastercard, Neteller, PayPal, POLi, Rapid Transfer, SafeCharge, Skrill, Swift, UnionPay, Visa, Wire Transfer |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots | 0.01 Lots |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, SCA, SCB, CMA-Kenya | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB, CMA-Kenya |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
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| Education Rating | ||
| Research Rating | ||
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| Mobile Apps | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| App Review | Pepperstone stands out for its great integration with MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView apps, making it a top choice for traders familiar with these major platforms. These apps provide a stable, reliable mobile trading experience, boosted by Pepperstone's fast execution speeds and wide asset range. Recent upgrades helped it earn second place in DayTrading.com's annual 'Best Trading App' award for 2025. | IC offers mobile apps for cTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView on both Android and iOS platforms. These apps are optimized separately for each platform to maximize features, offering raw pricing and spreads starting at 0.0. They provide a superb trading tool for all trader levels. Notably, IC has preserved its renowned fast execution speed within these apps, providing a professional and responsive trading experience. |
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| Margin Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Account Types | STP, ECN, DMA, MAM, PAMM | ECN, DMA, MAM, PAMM |
| AI / Machine Learning | ✗ | ✗ |
| Robo Advisor | ✗ | ✗ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Market Maker | ✗ | ✗ |
| P2P Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Spot Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Trading | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade |
| Copy Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy Trading Platform | Pepperstone enables traders to follow strategies of experienced traders via MetaTrader Signals, DupliTrade, and its new copy trading app (available in select regions) in partnership with Pelican Trading, offering access to many skilled traders and customizable risk settings. However, it does not support cTrader Copy, which may discourage users who prefer Spotware's terminal. | Launched in February 2023, the IC Social app provides an easy-to-use platform for learning, sharing, and mirroring other traders' positions with a few clicks. The app also includes risk management tools and supports dedicated trading groups. Alternatively, IC offers access to Signal Start and popular third-party copy trading platforms like ZuluTrade and cTrader Copy. |
| Social Trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Trade Signals | Yes (Via Chartist Software) | Signal Start |
| VPS Hosting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tournaments | ✗ | ✗ |
| Demo Competitions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ethical Investing | ✗ | ✗ |
| Custodial Account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✗ | ✗ |
| Inactivity Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Islamic Account | ✓ | ✓ |
CFD Trading | ||
Pepperstone remains a top-notch CFD broker based on our recent tests. The broker offers swift execution speeds averaging 30ms, a high fill rate of 99.90% and over 1,300 assets to trade. This ensures a smooth trading experience without interruptions or the need for re-quotes. | Access over 2,250 CFDs, available for trading 24/5 in popular markets like forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds. Using deep liquidity and advanced bridge technology, IC provides ideal conditions for scalpers, hedgers, and algo traders. | |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail - UK, EU, Australia), 1:500 (Pro), 1:200 (Offshore), 1:400 (Kenya) | 1:5000 |
| FTSE Spread | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.4 | 0.23 |
| Oil Spread | 2.5 | 0.03 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.02 | 0.02 |
Forex Trading | ||
Pepperstone offers exceptionally low forex spreads, averaging 0.12 pips on EUR/USD in the Razor account, with over 100 currency pairs to choose from. This exceeds what most competitors offer. Pepperstone uniquely provides three currency indices (USDX, EURX, JPYX), a rare feature in trading platforms. Pepperstone has claimed our 'Best Forex Broker' award twice. | IC offers ultra-tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD, ensuring superior execution with an average of 35 milliseconds. High-volume traders can earn rebates up to $2.50 per forex lot. | |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.4 | 0.23 |
| EURUSD Spread | 0.1 | 0.02 |
| EURGBP Spread | 0.4 | 0.27 |
| Assets | 100+ | 75 |
| Currency Indices | USD, EUR, JPY | |
Cryptocurrency Trading | ||
remains a trusted name in crypto CFD trading. It offers a moderate selection of digital tokens, including popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and altcoins such as Ripple, with up to 1:10 leverage. Its crypto indices offer a comprehensive view of the digital currency markets, which is uncommon on other platforms. has also launched , a dedicated crypto exchange in Australia. | IC offers over 20 cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, including lesser-known ones like Avalanche, Kusama, and Uniswap. Commission-free trading is available, and experienced traders can use leverage on MetaTrader platforms. | |
| Crypto Spread | BTC 30, ETH 0 | BTC 42.036 |
| Crypto Coins | BCH, BTC, ETH, LTC, DASH, ADA, LINK, DOGE, EOS, DOT, XRP, XLM, XTZ, UNI, BNB | BTC, BCH, DOT, DSH, EMC, EOS, ETH, LNK, LTC, NMC, PPC, XLM, XRP, ADA, BNB, DOG, UNI, XTZ |
| Crypto Lending | ✗ | ✗ |
| Crypto Mining | ✗ | ✗ |
| Crypto Staking | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto Market Maker | ✗ | ✗ |
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