Pepperstone and XTB contrast in regulation and fee structures. The choice hinges on platform preferences and cost expectations.
Pepperstone leads on the editorial score over XTB due to broader regulation and transparent pricing. XTB remains competitive on platform choice and instrument variety.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you want raw spreads with a $7/lot commission and broad regulator coverage.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want the proprietary xStation 5 platform and a listed company with strong transparency.
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 0.80 pips for XTB, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Pepperstone | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| 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: Pepperstone rates 4.7/5 and XTB rates 4.5/5. 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 starts from 0 pips, tighter than XTB's 0.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither Pepperstone nor XTB requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Pepperstone and XTB 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Pepperstone lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while XTB 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 XTB are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
Pepperstone wins due to broader regulation and segregated client funds.
Pepperstone benefits active traders with raw spreads and a transparent per-lot commission.
Pepperstone is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Pepperstone offers MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS for varied access.
Pepperstone has no inactivity fee and investor compensation protection.
XTB wins with about 5,800 instruments, far more than Pepperstone.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2010 | 2002 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia | Warsaw, Poland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | €10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC | FCA CySEC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | xStation 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
LSE- and WSE-listed with FCA, CySEC, and KNF regulation, exceptional corporate transparency
xStation 5 is one of the best proprietary platforms in retail forex
Zero-commission stock CFDs up to EUR 100,000/month
No minimum deposit on standard accounts
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
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
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
Cons
Market maker on forex, not appropriate for raw ECN scalpers
Product breadth narrower than IG or Saxo
Support quality varies outside European hours
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.5 / 5
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