CMC Markets vs Pepperstone Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - CMC Markets or Pepperstone?
Our pick: Pepperstone
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Pepperstone looks preferable to CMC Markets.
Pepperstone scored 4.6/5 and ranks 6 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas CMC Markets has 4.4/5 and ranks 15.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is CMC Markets suitable for?
Broker CMC Markets is suitable for all traders thanks to its reliability, low commissions, and excellent trading platform.
Who is Pepperstone suitable for?
Pepperstone suits traders seeking a wide choice of platforms, tight spreads, and numerous trading instruments.
Comparison Table of CMC Markets and Pepperstone
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 2010 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | Australia, Bahamas, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Kenya, United Kingdom |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | Pepperstone Review |
CMC Markets Review
CMC Markets has been a reliable CFD and Forex broker in the business for a long time. Top-tier financial authorities regulate the company, offers an excellent trading platform, and has low commission fees.
We believe it is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced traders. CMC Markets is a good option if you are seeking a trustworthy broker with extensive experience.
Pros and Cons of CMC Markets
Pros
- Low trading fees.
- Wide range of markets and products.
- Access to the popular MetaTrader 4 and CMC Markets platforms.
- Extensive analytical materials.
- Comprehensive educational materials.
Cons
- Limited account options.
- Inactivity fee.
- No online chat.
CMC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Pepperstone Review
Pepperstone is a significant and reliable broker that offers a broad range of trading instruments and attractive trading conditions. With regulation by serious authorities, clients can be confident in the security of their funds.
The broker is suitable for various types of traders. Beginners will find extensive educational materials, including trading guides, webinars, instructional videos, and Forex trading courses. Experienced traders will also appreciate Pepperstone's opportunities, including favorable trading conditions, various trading platforms, and access to complex trading instruments.
The broker's technical support operates at a high level, offering clients quick and efficient responses to any questions.
Pepperstone is an excellent choice for traders of all experience levels. With a unique combination of educational materials, trading tools, and high-quality customer service, this broker ensures excellent conditions for successful trading.
Pros and Cons of Pepperstone
Pros
- Wide selection of trading platforms.
- Tight spreads and favourable trading conditions.
- Numerous regulatory licenses.
- A large number of trading assets.
Cons
- Lack of diversity in types of trading accounts.
Pepperstone is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 2010 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | Australia, Bahamas, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Kenya, United Kingdom |
| Regulators |
|
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CMC Markets
CMC Markets demonstrates a high level of regulation and protection of client funds.
Pros
- Regulation in multiple countries.
- Adherence to CASS rules to protect client funds.
- Compensation through FSCS in case of financial problems.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone is regulated in seven different jurisdictions, indicating a high level of reliability and regulation.
Account Opening
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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CMC Markets
The account opening process is standard but has some limitations.
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirement.
- Clear and transparent registration process.
Cons
- Requirement to provide extensive information.
- Restrictions for residents of certain countries.
Pepperstone
The account opening process is straightforward, convenient, and fast.
Account Types
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.3/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
CMC Markets
Accounts meet basic needs but do not offer a wide selection.
Pros
- Availability of a demo account.
Cons
- No cent or Islamic accounts.
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
- No investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading).
Pepperstone
Pepperstone's account types meet the needs of most traders, though they lack variability.
Pros
- The ability to copy trades.
- Support for VPS hosting.
Cons
- Lack of cent accounts.
- No fixed spread accounts.
Commissions
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.7/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.7 | 1.15 |
| Commission per Lot | $3.5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers competitive spreads and does not charge fees for depositing/withdrawing.
Pros
- No deposit or withdrawal fees.
- Competitive spreads and swaps.
- Cashback on trading commissions.
Cons
- Monthly inactivity fee.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone does not charge an inactivity fee or withdrawal fees, which is an essential advantage for traders. As for trading commissions, the broker offers competitive conditions.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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CMC Markets
The broker offers flexibility and transparency in transactions.
Pros
- No fees for deposits or withdrawals.
- Fast processing of withdrawal requests.
Cons
- Some competitors offer more payment methods.
Pepperstone
Account funding and withdrawal processes at Pepperstone are pretty convenient and fast.
Pros
- Multiple available deposit methods.
- No deposit fee.
- Swift transaction processing.
Cons
- Bank fees for withdrawals.
Markets and Products
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.4/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 336 | 97 |
| Precious Metals | 19 | 20 |
| Energy Carriers | 45 | 4 |
| Soft Commodities | 58 | 16 |
| Indices | 99 | 26 |
| Stocks | 10099 | 986 |
| ETF | 1200 | 108 |
| Bonds | 71 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 336 | 30 |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets offers various trading instruments for multiple markets but with limited maximum leverage.
Pepperstone
The broker utilizes services from several tier-one liquidity providers to offer clients competitive quotes with low spreads and high liquidity across various instruments.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
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CMC Markets
The broker provides two powerful and flexible trading platforms.
Pros
- Availability of the popular MetaTrader 4 platform.
- Proprietary platform with extensive functionality and customization options.
Cons
- The proprietary platform may be complex for beginners.
- Lack of MetaTrader 5 platform.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone offers a wide selection of high-quality and functional trading platforms, making it attractive to many investors.
Analytics
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers extensive analytical resources that assist traders in decision-making.
Pros
- Comprehensive commentary and forecasts from experts.
- Technical and fundamental analysis.
- News from Reuters and economic calendar.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone has a well-developed analytical department, which includes daily market reviews, an economic calendar, the powerful automatic market analysis tool Autochartist, and convenient calculators for traders.
Education
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers extensive and quality educational resources for traders of all levels.
Pros
- A wide range of educational forms: seminars, webinars, video conferences, courses.
- Classes conducted by leading traders and guest experts.
- Most materials are available for free to company clients.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone greatly emphasizes the educational component, offering a broad spectrum of instructional materials and resources.
Customer Support
| Broker | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
InstagramCMC Markets
CMC Markets provides quality technical support operating 24/5, with prompt and professional responses.
Pros
- Support available 24/5.
- Prompt and professional responses.
Cons
- Lack of online chat for instant communication.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone's support service provides clients with various communication channels, prompt responses, professionalism, and efficiency in problem-solving.
Comparisons of CMC Markets and Pepperstone with other brokers
Conclusion
Pepperstone stands out as the better overall pick, while CMC Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
Pepperstone scored 4.6/5 and ranks 6 in our rating; CMC Markets has 4.4/5 and ranks 15.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: CMC Markets or Pepperstone?
Pepperstone comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.6/5, position 6) versus CMC Markets (score 4.4/5, position 15).
Which broker is better for beginners: CMC Markets or Pepperstone?
Pepperstone is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — CMC Markets or Pepperstone?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with CMC Markets and Pepperstone?
CMC Markets: MetaTrader 4, CMC Markets. Pepperstone: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with CMC Markets and Pepperstone?
CMC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Pepperstone: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by CMC Markets and Pepperstone?
CMC Markets: CFD. Pepperstone: Standard, Razor. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by CMC Markets and Pepperstone?
CMC Markets: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Online banking. Pepperstone: Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — CMC Markets or Pepperstone — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
