This comparison pits GO Markets against Pepperstone in the stock CFD space across regulation, platform breadth, and access. The axis of tension is regulatory depth and initial deposit versus the breadth of tools available.
Pepperstone edges GO Markets on editorial score and platform breadth. Its broader regulatory footprint and 24/5 live chat help explain the lead.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose GO Markets if…
GO Markets if you value dual regulation by ASIC and CySEC. You get MT4, MT5, and cTrader as platform options. Pepperstone if you want 24/5 live chat. You also gain a broad multi-regulatory footprint.
Choose Pepperstone if…
GO Markets if you value dual regulation by ASIC and CySEC. You get MT4, MT5, and cTrader as platform options. Pepperstone if you want 24/5 live chat. You also gain a broad multi-regulatory footprint.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone wins; it is regulated by FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, FMA, and DFSA.
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: GO Markets rates 3.5/5 and Pepperstone rates 3.9/5. 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.
Both GO 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 GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO 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.
GO Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
GO Markets charges $5 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.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to IRESS and TradingView.
Neither GO 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 GO 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 wins; it provides MT4/MT5/cTrader plus TradingView and IRESS access.
Pepperstone wins; it supports 8 exchanges versus 6 for GO Markets.
Pepperstone wins; it has transparent 0.07%/side share CFD commissions (min £7).
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or DRIP features.
| 0.5 pips▼ lower |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | 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 | ASIC CySEC FSC | DFSA FMA FCA ASIC BaFin CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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