Two brokers are evaluated on regulation, fees, and platform availability. The tension centers on cost efficiency versus instrument diversity and charting capabilities.
Pepperstone edges FXTM on the overall score and on the breadth of regulation. It offers from 0 pips spreads with $7/lot commission and 1200 instruments, versus FXTM from 1.5 pips and no disclosed commission with 600 instruments.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose FXTM if…
Choose FXTM if you want a low $10 minimum deposit and strong education plus FXTM Invest copy trading.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you want a $0 minimum deposit, tight spreads with $7/lot commission, and access to MT4/MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 1.50 pips for FXTM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Pros
Low $10 minimum deposit on Micro accounts
Strong copy trading via FXTM Invest platform
Extensive education, webinars, video courses, and market analysis
Multilingual support in 20+ languages
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXTM | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Pepperstone rates 4.7/5 versus 4.2/5 for FXTM. Pepperstone edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Pepperstone starts from 0 pips, tighter than FXTM's 1.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while FXTM requires at least $10. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXTM 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.
FXTM lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, 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.
Pepperstone charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for FXTM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
FXTM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Pepperstone wins for safety & regulation with multiple regulators including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CySEC, and DFSA.
Pepperstone wins for active traders due to MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and Razor pricing.
Pepperstone is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Pepperstone wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS.
FXTM wins for beginners with a $10 minimum and strong educational resources.
Pepperstone wins for instrument variety with 1200 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Melbourne, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $10 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA CySEC FSC | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
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
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
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
Standard account spreads are not ECN-competitive
Platform choice limited to MT4 and MT5
Mauritius FSC entity offers less investor protection than FCA/CySEC
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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