This matchup pits FP Markets against Pepperstone on stock access and platform tooling under different regulatory footprints. The outcome hinges on how breadth of exchanges and tools trade off.
FP Markets and Pepperstone are closely matched in the stocks category. The clearest differentiator is FP Markets' access to 15 exchanges versus Pepperstone's 8.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose FP Markets if…
Choose FP Markets if you want phone support, advanced research tools, and stock screener, plus access to 15 exchanges.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you value a broad regulatory footprint and 1,000+ share CFDs with transparent commissions.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone has a deeper regulatory footprint across FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, FMA, and DFSA.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FP Markets | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: FP Markets rates 4.1/5 and Pepperstone rates 3.9/5. FP Markets 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.
Both FP Markets and Pepperstone start from the same spread of 0. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while FP Markets requires at least $100. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FP 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.
FP Markets 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.
FP Markets charges $6 per trade, lower than Pepperstone's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and IRESS and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Neither FP Markets 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 FP Markets 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 targets active traders with stronger platform tools and broader regulation.
FP Markets provides broader exchange access with 15 exchanges.
FP Markets offers no platform fee for standard share CFDs, making it cheaper for frequent share CFD traders.
Equally matched for long-term investing as neither offers fractional shares or DRIP.
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi | 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 | ASIC CySEC | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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