Two brokers compete for stock exposure through different fee structures and platform ecosystems. The tension centers on cost transparency, regulation, and global access.
Pepperstone outranks easyMarkets on the editorial score, reflecting stronger trust and regulation and broader platform tools.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you value a proprietary web and mobile platform and direct phone support.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you want broad platform choices and 1,000+ share CFDs across MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone wins safety & regulation with FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA coverage.
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $25 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Pepperstone rates 3.9/5 versus 3.4/5 for easyMarkets. Pepperstone edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Pepperstone lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with easyMarkets's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while easyMarkets requires at least $25. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets 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.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while Pepperstone lists up to 20:1. 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 trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for easyMarkets are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
easyMarkets 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. easyMarkets has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Neither easyMarkets nor Pepperstone is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both easyMarkets and Pepperstone are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
Pepperstone wins active traders with 1,000+ share CFDs and multiple platforms.
easyMarkets wins for beginners due to fixed spreads and risk management tools.
Pepperstone wins global access with 8 exchanges versus 4 for easyMarkets.
Pepperstone wins for low-cost trading through transparent share CFD commissions.
Equally matched for long-term investors due to lack of fractional shares and DRIP.
| N/A |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | CNV ASIC HCMC CySEC MNB | DFSA FMA FCA BaFin ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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