HYCM 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 - HYCM 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 HYCM.
Pepperstone scored 4.6/5 and ranks 6 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas HYCM has 4.2/5 and ranks 32.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is HYCM suitable for?
Broker HYCM is suitable for most traders, but some features may not meet the expectations of specific traders.
Who is Pepperstone suitable for?
Pepperstone suits traders seeking a wide choice of platforms, tight spreads, and numerous trading instruments.
Comparison Table of HYCM and Pepperstone
| Broker | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1976 | 2010 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, United Arab Emirates | Australia, Bahamas, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Kenya, United Kingdom |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | HYCM Review | Pepperstone Review |
HYCM Review

HYCM is one of the Forex and CFD market leaders whose reputation is backed by strict regulation by major financial authorities such as the FCA, CySEC and DFSA. This ensures high protection of the client's funds and compliance with regulatory standards. The broker offers a wide range of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, recognized as some of the most reliable and functional in the industry. The variety of trading instruments available allows you to create a diverse investment portfolio, while a rich selection of educational resources supports traders at all stages of their professional development.
HYCM will be most suitable for traders looking for reliability and diversity in the toolkit without worrying about high commissions and a lack of innovative platforms. This broker is ideal for experienced traders who can use the analytical and educational resources provided to improve their trading strategies.
Pros and Cons of HYCM
Pros
- Well-regulated broker.
- An extensive set of educational materials.
- Diversity of trading assets.
Cons
- Absence of proprietary trading platform.
- No social trading.
HYCM 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 | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1976 | 2010 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, United Arab Emirates | Australia, Bahamas, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Kenya, United Kingdom |
| Regulators | FCA FCA CySEC CySEC CIMA CIMA SVGFSA SVGFSA DFSA DFSA | ASIC ASIC SCB SCB CySEC CySEC DFSA DFSA BaFin BaFin CMA CMA FCA FCA |
HYCM
Broker HYCM provides high reliability and security, being under the control of various strict regulators around the world.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone is regulated in seven different jurisdictions, indicating a high level of reliability and regulation.
Account Opening
| Broker | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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HYCM
The account opening process at HYCM is simple and convenient, ensuring a smooth start for traders. However, verification and financial profile completion may take time.
Pros
- Quick registration, taking less than 5 minutes.
- Straightforward and understandable registration process.
Cons
- Necessity to fill out a detailed financial profile.
- Minimum deposit of $100 may be high for beginners.
Pepperstone
The account opening process is straightforward, convenient, and fast.
Account Types
| Broker | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
HYCM
HYCM offers a variety of trading accounts suitable for different levels of experience, but some account types are missing.
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 | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.5 | 1.15 |
| Commission per Lot | $4 | $3.5 |
HYCM
HYCM charges average trading fees and an account 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 | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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HYCM
HYCM offers a flexible and cost-effective approach to account funding and withdrawal of funds.
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 | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 72 | 97 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 20 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 4 |
| Soft Commodities | 4 | 16 |
| Indices | 27 | 26 |
| Stocks | 1080 | 986 |
| Cryptocurrency | 28 | 30 |
| ETF | - | 108 |
HYCM
HYCM offers a wide range of trading instruments, satisfying the diverse needs of traders.
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 | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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HYCM
HYCM offers reliable and functional trading platforms MT4 and MT5, available on various devices and supporting automated trading.
Pros
- Availability of popular and functional platforms MT4 and MT5.
- Extensive capabilities for technical analysis and automated trading.
- Support for many devices, including desktop computers and mobile devices.
Cons
- Lack of a proprietary unique platform.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone offers a wide selection of high-quality and functional trading platforms, making it attractive to many investors.
Analytics
| Broker | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
HYCM
HYCM offers good analytical tools, but the regularity and variety of materials could be improved.
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 | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
HYCM
HYCM's educational materials cover a wide range of topics and are available in various formats, making them useful for traders of different levels.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone greatly emphasizes the educational component, offering a broad spectrum of instructional materials and resources.
Customer Support
| Broker | HYCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
HYCM
HYCM provides efficient and professional technical support, with some nuances.
Pros
- A sufficiently broad range of communication channels.
- Quick and professional response.
- Positive client reviews.
Cons
- Lack of 24/7 support.
- Can only call an international phone number.
- Absence of messenger services among communication channels.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone's support service provides clients with various communication channels, prompt responses, professionalism, and efficiency in problem-solving.
Comparisons of HYCM and Pepperstone with other brokers
Conclusion
Pepperstone stands out as the better overall pick, while HYCM trails on aggregate criteria.
Pepperstone scored 4.6/5 and ranks 6 in our rating; HYCM has 4.2/5 and ranks 32.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: HYCM or Pepperstone?
Pepperstone comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.6/5, position 6) versus HYCM (score 4.2/5, position 32).
Which broker is better for beginners: HYCM 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) — HYCM 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 HYCM and Pepperstone?
HYCM: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Pepperstone: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with HYCM and Pepperstone?
HYCM: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, 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 HYCM and Pepperstone?
HYCM: Classic, Fixed, Raw. Pepperstone: Standard, Razor. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by HYCM and Pepperstone?
HYCM: Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Pepperstone: Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — HYCM or Pepperstone — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.


