Comparison of IC Markets and Pepperstone
| Feature | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2010 |
| Broker Type | ECN, DMA | ECN, DMA |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | ASIC, SCB, CySEC, DFSA, BaFin, CMA, FCA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, CAD, SGD, HKD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, USDT (Tether) |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | €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, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | IC Markets Review | Pepperstone Review |
About IC Markets
IC Markets is a leading forex and CFD broker, well-known for its exceptional trading conditions and advanced technology. Established in 2007 and regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including ASIC, CySEC, and the FSA Seychelles, IC Markets has earned a solid reputation among retail and institutional traders alike. The broker is particularly favored by scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic traders for its ultra-tight spreads, fast execution speeds, and no-dealing-desk (NDD) model. With access to powerful platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, IC Markets offers a seamless trading experience across various asset classes, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Its focus on transparency, competitive pricing, and exceptional liquidity ensures that traders can execute strategies efficiently. However, while IC Markets excels in trading infrastructure, it offers limited educational resources, which may not fully cater to beginners.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities (ASIC, CySEC)
- Tight spreads starting from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread accounts
- No dealing desk (NDD) model ensures transparent and fast execution
- Excellent platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader
- High liquidity and competitive pricing ideal for scalping and algorithmic trading
- Wide range of tradable assets, including cryptocurrencies
- Dedicated 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Restricted availability in some regions due to regulatory constraints
- Withdrawal fees may apply for certain methods
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
IC Markets & Pepperstone Regulation
| Feature | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited | Pepperstone Group Limited, Pepperstone Markets Limited, Pepperstone EU Limited, Pepperstone Financial Services (DIFC) Limited, Pepperstone GmbH, Pepperstone Markets Kenya Limited, Pepperstone Limited |
Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Australia, Bahamas, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Kenya, United Kingdom |
Regulators | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | ASIC, SCB, CySEC, DFSA, BaFin, CMA, FCA |
Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | Standard |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | 1 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 20% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 90% |
Zero Account | ||
| Account Name | Raw Spread | Razor |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0 | 0 |
| Fee | $7 per 1 lot | $7 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 20% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 90% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, CAD, SGD, HKD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, USDT (Tether) |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 40 ms | 40 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 61 | 97 |
Indices | 25 | 26 |
Stocks | 2175 | 986 |
Cryptocurrencies | 21 | 30 |
Bonds | 10 | 0 |
Metals | 7 | 20 |
Energies | 5 | 4 |
Soft Commodities | 8 | 16 |
ETFs | 38 | 108 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@icmarkets.com | support@pepperstone.com |
Phone | +2484671976 | +17866281209 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | — | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing IC Markets and Pepperstone, IC Markets 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.