In a head-to-head between regulated crypto CFD specialists, the tension centers on coin availability, platform access, and fee structures.
Forex.com and Pepperstone are closely matched overall; Pepperstone's larger coin selection is the clearest differentiator.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com for US-regulated crypto CFDs with NFA/CFTC and FCA oversight.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you want 30+ crypto CFDs across MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Forex.com is best for security due to NFA/CFTC and FCA oversight.
Pepperstone wins for low fees with no inactivity fee and no deposit fee.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 1 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | 7.00% | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Forex.com | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Fail | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: Forex.com rates 3.9/5 and Pepperstone rates 4/5. Pepperstone has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Pepperstone lists a lower spread from 0, compared with Forex.com's 1. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both Forex.com and Pepperstone hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Forex.com offers up to 50:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Pepperstone's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Both Forex.com and Pepperstone charge the same commission of $7 per trade on applicable accounts. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Forex.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Pepperstone scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
Pepperstone is best for beginners due to a $0 minimum deposit.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi or NFT trading.
| 1.7 pips |
| 0.7 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity Fee | $15/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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