This comparison pits two regulated brokers against each other on platform choices and research tools, highlighting how technology shapes the trading experience.
Forex.com and Pepperstone are closely matched, with Forex.com offering a proprietary platform not available from Pepperstone.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you want a proprietary platform and in-house research tools.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you prioritize a large share CFD library and broad regulatory coverage.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone has a deeper multi-regulatory footprint (FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA).
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Forex.com | 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 |
Forex.com and Pepperstone share the same editorial score of 3.9/5. One concrete differentiator: Pepperstone requires a lower minimum deposit.
Pepperstone lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Forex.com's 1. 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 Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Forex.com 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.
Forex.com lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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.
Both Forex.com and Pepperstone charge the same commission of $7 per trade on applicable accounts. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Forex.com 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. Forex.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Neither Forex.com 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 Forex.com 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 provides more platforms and DMA options for active trading.
Pepperstone enables DMA access and broader exchange coverage via IRESS.
Pepperstone offers transparent share CFD commissions (0.07%/side, min £7 UK), while Forex.com publishes no share CFD commission.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or ISA wrappers.
| 1.7 pips |
| 0.7 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | $15/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | 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 | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin 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 3.9 / 5
Score 3.9 / 5
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