IC Marketsvs
PepperstoneForex Broker Comparison
IC Markets and Pepperstone face off on regulation quality, costs, and platform ecosystems. The clash highlights different priorities for traders.
Our Verdict
Too close to call
IC Markets and Pepperstone are closely matched overall, but IC Markets offers a larger instrument universe (2200 vs 1200).
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IC Markets lists 2200 instruments versus Pepperstone 1200.
- 2Pepperstone adds IRESS alongside MT4/MT5/cTrader/TradingView.
- 3Minimum deposit is $200 at IC Markets, $0 at Pepperstone.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Pepperstone?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want a $200 minimum deposit and a broad instrument universe.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you prefer a $0 minimum deposit and you value multi regulator oversight with IRESS access.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
IC Markets vs Pepperstone: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
IC Markets vs Pepperstone Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
True ECN routing with raw 0.0 pip spreads
All three major platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader)
Deep liquidity from 25+ tier-1 sources
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
IC Markets vs Pepperstone: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC 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 |
IC Markets vs Pepperstone: Frequently Asked Questions
IC Markets and Pepperstone share the same editorial score of 4.7/5. One concrete differentiator: Pepperstone requires a lower minimum deposit.
Both IC 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 IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC 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.
IC 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.
Both IC Markets and Pepperstone charge the same commission of $7 per lot on applicable accounts.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to IRESS.
