In this comparison FP Markets and Pepperstone clash on regulation breadth, costs, and platform reach. The outcome hinges on what investors value most: trust, price, or choice.
Pepperstone edges FP Markets on the editorial score due to broader regulation and stronger category scores. FP Markets remains competitive with true ECN pricing.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose FP Markets if…
FP Markets offers true ECN pricing from 0.0 pips with a $6/lot commission and access to 10,000 instruments, plus IRESS share CFDs. Pepperstone attracts with a $0 minimum deposit, broad multi-jurisdiction regulation, and a Razor account offering tight spreads with transparent commissions.
Choose Pepperstone if…
FP Markets offers true ECN pricing from 0.0 pips with a $6/lot commission and access to 10,000 instruments, plus IRESS share CFDs. Pepperstone attracts with a $0 minimum deposit, broad multi-jurisdiction regulation, and a Razor account offering tight spreads with transparent commissions.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Pros
True ECN pricing from 0.0 pips + $6 round-turn commission
Supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader, all three major platforms
IRESS platform for direct-access share CFD trading
Strong ASIC and CySEC regulation
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FP Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: FP Markets rates 4.5/5 and Pepperstone rates 4.7/5. 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.
Both FP Markets and Pepperstone start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while FP Markets requires at least $100. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FP Markets and Pepperstone hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker'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 brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FP Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Pepperstone lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FP Markets charges $6 per lot, lower than Pepperstone's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and IRESS and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Pepperstone wins with broader multi-jurisdiction regulation across FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CySEC, DFSA, and FMA.
FP Markets wins for active traders due to true ECN pricing and $6/lot commission.
FP Markets is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($6/lot).
Pepperstone wins for beginners thanks to a $0 minimum deposit.
FP Markets leads with 10,000 instruments versus Pepperstone's 1,200.
Equally matched, both offer MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Melbourne, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CySEC, DFSA licensed
Razor account: tight spreads + transparent commission
TradingView + MT4 / MT5 / cTrader
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
IRESS platform has a monthly fee for lower-volume traders
Customer support primarily oriented toward Australian trading hours
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
Cons
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.5 / 5
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