Pepperstone vs IG
Which broker is better: Pepperstone or IG? We break down their offerings to help you select the right trading platform for your needs.
Pepperstone and IG are both reputable brokers with strong regulatory compliance. Pepperstone provides more support for international users, while IG stands out with its longevity in the market. Both brokers offer extensive educational resources and robust customer support, though IG’s offerings are perhaps more organized and accessible.
While both brokers have comprehensive platforms, Pepperstone lacks a proprietary platform but offers options like MetaTrader and TradingView. IG provides a proprietary platform which is user-friendly though potentially overwhelming for new users. Their fee structures differ too; Pepperstone generally offers tighter spreads, especially for active traders, whereas IG might have higher fees depending on the asset or trade.
Accessibility is another key difference; Pepperstone tends to appeal to a global audience with no minimum deposit, while IG maintains an edge in asset variety, accommodating vast markets but requiring users to navigate more intricate fee structures.
Regulation & Trust
Pepperstone is regulated by several global bodies, proving a clean track record. It offers compensation schemes in some areas but lacks insight into financial reports. IG is publicly listed, enhancing transparency with robust security measures like two-factor authentication and SSL encryption.
Accounts & Banking
Pepperstone offers Standard and Razor accounts, both with no minimum deposit. IG has multiple accounts tailored to various trading goals but lacks an ECN account. Deposits and withdrawals are similarly flexible with both brokers but vary by region. Pepperstone also provides a swap-free account for Islamic traders, unlike IG.
Live Accounts
Pepperstone allows a choice between two accounts with zero minimum deposit. IG provides a wider account selection but with varying deposit requirements based on location.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Both brokers support multiple payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal. Pepperstone includes crypto options while IG doesn’t.
Assets & Markets
Pepperstone offers over 1,300 assets including forex, CFD stocks, commodities, and crypto. IG stands out with over 17,000 markets, including non-CFD securities, pre-market trading on US stocks, and managed portfolios.
Fees & Costs
Pepperstone features low spreads especially in its Razor account, offering rebates for high-volume traders. IG has competitive trading fees but imposes inactivity charges and withdrawal fees for wire transfers.
Platforms & Tools
Pepperstone supports third-party platforms like MetaTrader and cTrader but lacks a proprietary platform. IG offers its own comprehensive web platform alongside MetaTrader and L2 Dealer. Both offer extensive tools though Pepperstone integrates spread betting uniquely into TradingView.
Mobile Apps
Both brokers have reliable mobile apps. Pepperstone’s are third-party while IG’s own app provides a richer experience.
Extra Tools
Pepperstone supports automation through Capitalise.ai and VPS solutions. IG extends its features with advanced analytics and the ProRealTime platform.
Research
Both brokers provide comprehensive research offerings. Pepperstone lacks a solid real-time news feed, whereas IG compensates with features like IGTV and the DailyFX website.
Education
Pepperstone offers resources for beginners but lacks advanced categorization. IG excels with its IG Academy, offering courses, quizzes, and webinars for all skill levels.
Customer Support
Both brokers offer multilingual support and rich online resources. Pepperstone provides 24/5 support while IG operates primarily within UK office hours.
Is Pepperstone or IG Better For Beginners?
IG offers a more structured educational platform, IG Academy, perfect for newcomers. Their extensive online resources gradually build a solid trading foundation. Pepperstone’s educational resources are sufficient but lack organizational clarity and depth.
Is Pepperstone or IG Better For Experienced Traders?
Pepperstone is ideal for serious traders due to its tight spreads and diverse platform support. IG features a vast array of assets, sophisticated tools, and insights making it suitable for seasoned traders.
Why Pick Pepperstone Over IG?
Opt for Pepperstone if you prioritize low fees, no minimum deposits, and flexibility within international accounts. Its integrated third-party platforms offer advanced, varied trading tools.
Why Pick IG Over Pepperstone?
IG is a robust choice for diverse asset access plus innovative feature integration. Its commitment to educational resources is excellent for traders aiming to deepen their market knowledge.
Pepperstone vs IG Details
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Pepperstone
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IG
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Pepperstone, established in Australia in 2010, is a highly-regarded forex and CFD broker serving more than 400,000 international clients. It provides access to over 1,300 instruments through leading trading platforms such as MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, while keeping fees relatively low and transparent. The company is regulated by known authorities including FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, offering a safe trading environment for all. | IG, established in 1974, is a branch of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded brokerage firm. IG provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading across over 17,000 markets via easy-to-use platforms and investing apps. IG has remained a leading name in the trading industry for over five decades. | |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting |
| Demo Account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime |
| Payment Methods | Apple Pay, BPAY, Credit Card, Debit Card, Google Wallet, Mastercard, Neteller, PayPal, PIX Payment, POLi, Skrill, UnionPay, Visa, Wire Transfer | Credit Card, Debit Card, Mastercard, PayPal, Visa, Wire Transfer |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots | 0.01 Lots |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD |
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| Mobile Apps | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| App Review | Pepperstone is exceptional for its great integration with the MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView apps, making it an excellent option for traders using these top trading platforms. These apps provide a stable and reliable mobile trading experience, boosted by Pepperstone’s fast execution speeds and diverse asset classes. Recent upgrades earned it second place in DayTrading.com’s 2025 ‘Best Trading App’ award. | IG provides an excellent trading app well-regarded among traders. Developed over several years, it has a quick response time, user-friendly interface, comprehensive charting, and dependable performance. The app also uniquely features guaranteed stops – a crucial risk management tool often unavailable on other tested apps. |
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| Margin Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Margin Rate | 2.5% | |
| Account Types | STP, ECN, DMA, MAM | DMA |
| 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, build your own on ProRealTime |
| 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. | |
| Social Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Trade Signals | Yes (Via Chartist Software) | ✓ |
| VPS Hosting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tournaments | ✗ | ✗ |
| Demo Competitions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ethical Investing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custodial Account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✗ | ✓ |
| Inactivity Fee | $0 | $12 |
| 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. | IG offers a vast range of over 17,000 CFDs, one of the largest in the trading industry. Traders have the opportunity to engage in markets such as stocks, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Custom price alerts and the IG Academy are available to improve the trading experience. | |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro) |
| FTSE Spread | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.4 | 0.9 |
| Oil Spread | 2.5 | 2.8 |
| 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. | IG offers over 80 currency pairs for trading on its web platform, mobile app, or MetaTrader 4. The ProRealTime software has advanced charts and forex analysis tools. The forex spreads are competitive, starting at 0.1 pips for major currencies such as the EUR/USD. | |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.4 | 0.9 |
| EURUSD Spread | 0.1 | 0.8 |
| EURGBP Spread | 0.4 | 0.9 |
| Assets | 100+ | 80+ |
| Currency Indices | USD, EUR, JPY | USD |
Cryptocurrency | ||
Pepperstone remains a reliable crypto broker. It offers a standard selection of digital tokens, including well-known ones like Bitcoin and altcoins such as Ripple. Traders can utilize up to 1:10 leverage with these cryptos. Moreover, its crypto indices give a comprehensive perspective of the digital currency markets, a feature not typically seen on most trading platforms. | While IG offers a selection of 11 crypto CFDs, this number is relatively small compared to leading crypto brokers like Vantage, which provides 40+ tokens. However, IG's standout feature is its crypto index. This index tracks the value of the top ten cryptocurrencies based on market capitalization and provides a simplified method for traders to speculate on the crypto market's value. | |
| Spread | BTC 30, ETH 0 | Variable |
| Coins | BCH, BTC, ETH, LTC, DASH, ADA, LINK, DOGE, EOS, DOT, XRP, XLM, XTZ, UNI, BNB | BTC, BCH, LTC, ETH, ADA, DOT, DOGE, LINK, UNI, XLM |
| Crypto Lending | ✗ | ✗ |
| Crypto Mining | ✗ | ✗ |
| Crypto Staking | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto Market Maker | ✗ | ✗ |
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