Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs Pepperstone, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing online brokers FOREX.com and Pepperstone, regulatory credentials play a significant role in building trust for trading enthusiasts. Founded in 1999, FOREX.com stands out with a strong foundation, boasting a perfect Trust Score of 99 as rated by ForexBrokers.com, which classifies it as highly trusted. Their public transparency is underscored by being publicly traded and having seven Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of oversight by top financial regulators. Although not a bank, FOREX.com has established itself as a reliable entity in the online trading landscape.
Pepperstone, founded in 2010, also presents a commendable profile with a Trust Score of 95. While it does not trade on public stock exchanges, Pepperstone holds three Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a strong regulatory framework and trusted status according to ForexBrokers.com. Unlike FOREX.com, it operates independently without bank affiliation, yet maintains a solid reputation in the trading community. These factors highlight both brokers as reputable choices, with FOREX.com having a slight edge in regulatory recognition.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing FOREX.com and Pepperstone brokers in terms of commissions and fees, both demonstrate competitive offerings, each earning a commendable 4.5-star rating. FOREX.com is accessible with different account types, yet traders in the U.S. face higher average spreads of 1.4 pips on the EUR/USD with the Standard account. However, traders outside the U.S. might benefit from lower spreads, with the Raw account offering minimal spreads as low as 0.13 pips, though this comes with commissions per trade. Despite competitive spreads for active traders, those trading less than $50 million monthly might find costs comparable to the Standard account. FOREX.com holds a #13 ranking among 62 brokers for commissions and fees.
Pepperstone shines with its Razor account, tailored for high-volume traders, offering low spreads averaging 0.10 pips on the EUR/USD, plus commission-equivalent costs resulting in a combined cost of 0.80 pips, aligning closely with industry averages. This edges ahead of the commission-free Standard account, which has higher spreads preferring 1.1 pips. The Active Trader program further reduces costs for high-volume traders, depending on trading volume and location with impressive rebate tiers promising reductions up to 30%. Pepperstone is ranked #10 amongst 62 brokers in the commissions and fees category.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.70 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the investment options of FOREX.com and Pepperstone, both platforms offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, providing investors with flexibility. FOREX.com boasts an impressive array of 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 91 forex pairs, which surpasses Pepperstone's offering of 1,726 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs. Although neither broker allows clients to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges directly, they both provide an opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives, but not the actual cryptocurrencies.
In addition to its comprehensive range of symbols, FOREX.com is highly rated with five stars for its range of investment options, ranking 7th out of 62 brokers. In contrast, Pepperstone offers copy trading, a feature not available with FOREX.com, and holds a four-star rating for its investment range, coming in at 26th in the same category by ForexBrokers.com. While both brokers have unique strengths, FOREX.com stands out with its extensive selection of tradeable symbols and forex pairs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1726 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both FOREX.com and Pepperstone offer a range of features designed to cater to different trading needs. Both brokers provide a simulated trading experience with free virtual demo accounts and have developed proprietary platforms for their users. Whether you prefer a desktop-based experience or a web-based platform, both FOREX.com and Pepperstone have got you covered, offering access to Windows-based and browser platforms alike. Notably, FOREX.com and Pepperstone both support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms. However, Pepperstone takes a further step by providing copy trading options with platforms like DupliTrade, whereas FOREX.com does not offer copy trading at all.
FOREX.com shines with an impressive array of 239 drawing tools for charting compared to Pepperstone's 30 tools. This allows for highly detailed technical analysis. Furthermore, FOREX.com offers extensive watchlist customization with 20 columns, surpassing Pepperstone, which provides 7 columns. Both brokers enable trading directly from stock charts, enhancing the seamlessness of executing trades.* ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com higher, awarding it 5 stars and a ranking of #7 out of 62 brokers, compared to Pepperstone's 4 stars and #22 ranking, indicating a preference for FOREX.com's offerings in trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FOREX.com and Pepperstone both offer iPhone and Android apps, making them accessible for mobile trading on the go. Both platforms provide essential features like stock or forex price alerts, syncing watchlists between mobile apps and online accounts, and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. When it comes to technical capabilities, each app allows users to draw trendlines and view various time frames, including daily, weekly, and intraday charts, with the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings. However, FOREX.com excels with a broader selection of technical studies—88 compared to Pepperstone’s 30—offering more in-depth chart analysis tools.
The ratings and rankings of these mobile apps also highlight differences between the two. FOREX.com impressively earns a 5-star rating and is ranked 3rd out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Pepperstone has a 4-star rating and a 21st place ranking. These ratings reflect the overall user experience and functionality, with FOREX.com standing out for those seeking a more comprehensive trading app experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both FOREX.com and Pepperstone provide daily commentary and forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed. However, for traders that rely on Autochartist tools for technical analysis, Pepperstone emerges as the winner as it offers these resources, whereas FOREX.com does not. Conversely, FOREX.com offers Trading Central's technical analysis tools, which are not available with Pepperstone. Both brokers feature sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars, helping traders make informed decisions.
In terms of research ratings, FOREX.com and Pepperstone both achieve an impressive rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Yet, FOREX.com slightly edges out Pepperstone in the rankings, securing the 9th position out of 62 brokers compared to Pepperstone’s 12th. Neither broker currently offers research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading's Signal Centre, leaving room for potential expansion in their research offerings.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner traders, both FOREX.com and Pepperstone provide comprehensive offerings. Each platform delivers a minimum of ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also both host online educational webinars monthly and offer a searchable archive of past webinars. Moreover, both brokers cater to novice traders with at least ten beginner-focused educational videos, ensuring that newcomers have access to the foundational knowledge they need to start trading confidently.
Advanced traders are not left out either; both FOREX.com and Pepperstone furnish at least ten videos tailored to more experienced users. Additionally, they each offer an investor dictionary comprising definitions of over fifty investing terms, helping to demystify the jargon. Despite both brokers sharing a 4.5-star rating for education, FOREX.com is ranked higher, securing the 4th spot out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, while Pepperstone holds the 18th position. This suggests that while both are formidable in their educational outreach, FOREX.com may have a slight edge regarding recognition and reputation in the education category.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FOREX.com is better than Pepperstone. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 |
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Both FOREX.com and Pepperstone do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrency, yet they both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both FOREX.com and Pepperstone provide ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but only Pepperstone also offers Skrill as a payment option.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1726 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.70 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Pepperstone | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Pepperstone Review |
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