This matchup pits Pepperstone and Skilling in a stock CFD comparison. The axis centers on platform choice, regulation breadth, and exchange access.
Pepperstone and Skilling are closely matched; Skilling's proprietary platform stands out as the clearest differentiator.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you value 24/5 live chat support and DMA access via IRESS.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you want a proprietary platform and access to more exchanges.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone wins on regulation with a broader multi-regulatory profile.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Pepperstone | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
The scores are close: Pepperstone rates 3.9/5 and Skilling rates 3.7/5. 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 lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Skilling'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 Skilling requires at least $50. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Pepperstone and Skilling 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.
Pepperstone lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Skilling 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 Skilling 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.
Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to IRESS and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader.
Neither Pepperstone nor Skilling 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 Pepperstone and Skilling 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 for active traders with IRESS DMA access to equities.
Pepperstone is best for beginners thanks to a $0 minimum deposit.
Skilling wins for global market access with exchanges totaling 10.
Pepperstone wins for low-cost trading with a transparent share CFD commission.
Equally matched for long-term investing since neither offers DRIP or fractional shares.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| 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 DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | cTrader Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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