Comparison of FXCM and Pepperstone
Feature | FXCM | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|
Broker | ||
Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
Broker Type | STP, DMA | ECN, DMA |
Dealing | A-book | A-book |
Execution | Market | Market |
Regulation | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, CIRO, ISA, SVGFSA | ASIC, SCB, CySEC, DFSA, BaFin, CMA, FCA |
Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Trading Station, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
Spread | ⮕ Average | ⬊ Low |
Maximum Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1 |
Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, CAD, SGD, HKD |
Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, USDT (Tether) |
Inactivity Fee | $50 per year after 12 months | ✖ |
Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✔ |
Copy Trading | ✔ | ✔ |
VPS | ✔ | ✔ |
MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
Review | FXCM Review | Pepperstone Review |
About FXCM
FXCM (Forex Capital Markets) is a well-established forex broker that has been serving traders since 1999. Known for its commitment to innovation, FXCM provides a range of advanced trading platforms, including its proprietary Trading Station and third-party options like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and NinjaTrader. The broker offers access to various trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile choice for traders of all experience levels. FXCM operates under the regulation of trusted authorities, such as the FCA, ASIC, and FSCA, ensuring a safe and transparent trading environment.
Pros
- Regulated by reputable authorities (FCA, ASIC, FSCA)
- Access to multiple trading platforms, including Trading Station, MT4, and TradingView
- No-dealing-desk execution for transparency and direct market access
- Comprehensive educational resources and market analysis tools
- Competitive spreads and flexible leverage options
- Wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
- Strong focus on platform innovation and advanced tools
Cons
- Higher trading fees on some instruments compared to competitors
- Limited account types for specialized trading needs
- No support for MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- Customer support may vary depending on the region
About Pepperstone
Pepperstone is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker renowned for its competitive pricing, advanced trading platforms, and superior customer service. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Pepperstone has grown to become a trusted name in online trading. With multiple regulatory licenses from top-tier authorities, including ASIC, FCA, and CySEC, the broker offers a secure and transparent trading environment. Whether you're a novice or an experienced trader, Pepperstone provides a range of tools and features to enhance your trading journey.
Pros
- Tight spreads starting from 0.0 pips on Razor accounts
- Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities (ASIC, FCA, CySEC, etc.)
- Access to advanced trading platforms like MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader
- Excellent for scalping and algorithmic trading with fast execution speeds
- No minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible to all traders
- Dedicated 24/5 multilingual customer support
Cons
- Limited in-house educational resources for beginners
- Limited availability of bonus offers or promotions
FXCM & Pepperstone Regulation
Feature | FXCM | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|
Companies | Stratos Markets Limited, Stratos Trading Pty. Limited, Stratos Europe Ltd (ex FXCM EU LTD), Stratos South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd., Stratos Light Limited, Stratos Global LLC | Pepperstone Group Limited, Pepperstone Markets Limited, Pepperstone EU Limited, Pepperstone Financial Services (DIFC) Limited, Pepperstone GmbH, Pepperstone Markets Kenya Limited, Pepperstone Limited |
Countries | United Kingdom, Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, Canada, Israel, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Australia, Bahamas, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Kenya, United Kingdom |
Regulators | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, CIRO, ISA, SVGFSA | ASIC, SCB, CySEC, DFSA, BaFin, CMA, FCA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
Account | FXCM | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
Account Name | Standard | — |
Min Deposit | $50 | — |
Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
Spread Type | Floating | — |
Execution | Market | — |
Min Spread | 1.2 | — |
Fee | No | — |
Max Leverage | 1:1000 | — |
Stop Out | 100% | — |
Margin Call | 100% | — |
ECN Account | ||
Account Name | — | Standard |
Min Deposit | — | $1 |
Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
Spread Type | — | Floating |
Execution | — | Market |
Min Spread | — | 1 |
Fee | — | No |
Max Leverage | — | 1:500 |
Stop Out | — | 20% |
Margin Call | — | 90% |
Zero Account | ||
Account Name | — | Razor |
Min Deposit | — | $1 |
Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
Spread Type | — | Floating |
Execution | — | Market |
Min Spread | — | 0 |
Fee | — | $7 per 1 lot |
Max Leverage | — | 1:500 |
Stop Out | — | 20% |
Margin Call | — | 90% |
Additional Features | ||
Demo Account | ||
VIP Account | ||
Swap-Free Account | ||
Copy Trading | ||
VPS | ||
PAMM/MAM Accounts |
Funding and Fees
Feature | FXCM | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, CAD, SGD, HKD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, USDT (Tether) |
Inactivity fee | $50 per year after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
Feature | FXCM | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Trading Station, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 28 ms | 40 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | average | low |
Trading Assets
Asset | FXCM | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|
Currencies | 41 | 97 |
Indices | 15 | 26 |
Stocks | 3512 | 986 |
Cryptocurrencies | 23 | 30 |
Bonds | 0 | 0 |
Metals | 3 | 20 |
Energies | 7 | 4 |
Soft Commodities | 4 | 16 |
ETFs | 280 | 108 |
Education and Analytics
Feature | FXCM | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
Contact | FXCM | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|
Email | info@fxcmmarkets.com | support@pepperstone.com |
Phone | +16462531401 | +17866281209 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing FXCM and Pepperstone, Pepperstone comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
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Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.