IC 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 - IC Markets or Pepperstone?
Our pick: IC Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - IC Markets looks preferable to Pepperstone.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 4 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Pepperstone has 4.6/5 and ranks 7.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is IC Markets suitable for?
IC Markets is suitable for traders looking for low spreads and ECN accounts and the ability to scalp and use expert advisors.
Who is Pepperstone suitable for?
Pepperstone suits traders seeking a wide choice of platforms, tight spreads, and numerous trading instruments.
Comparison Table of IC Markets and Pepperstone
| Broker | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 2010 |
| Regulated in Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Australia, Bahamas, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Kenya, United Kingdom |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | IC Markets Review | Pepperstone Review |
IC Markets Review
IC Markets is a reliable and versatile broker that offers a wide range of services and tools for trading in the financial markets. The company provides impressive trading instruments, high-quality trading platforms, advanced analytical tools, and valuable education for traders of all levels.
IC Markets is likely most suitable for experienced traders who value deep liquidity, tight spreads, and advanced trading tools. Beginner traders can also benefit from the educational materials offered by the company, but they should be prepared for some additional expenses and a higher minimum deposit requirement.
Pros and Cons of IC Markets
Pros
- A wide range of trading assets.
- Low spreads.
- Variety of trading platforms.
- Quality educational materials.
- Efficient customer support service.
Cons
- High minimum deposit.
IC 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 | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 2010 |
| Regulated in Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Australia, Bahamas, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Kenya, United Kingdom |
| Regulators |
IC Markets
IC Markets operates under the regulation of several jurisdictions, including ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cyprus, and SFSA in the Seychelles, indicating a high degree of regulation.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone is regulated in seven different jurisdictions, indicating a high level of reliability and regulation.
Account Opening
| Broker | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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IC Markets
The account opening process at IC Markets is well-thought-out, transparent, and detailed, ensuring convenience and ease for clients. However, the high minimum deposit may deter many beginners.
Pepperstone
The account opening process is straightforward, convenient, and fast.
Account Types
| Broker | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.8/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 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 |
IC Markets
IC Markets' accounts are mainly aimed at experienced and professional traders.
Pros
- ECN accounts
- Ability to copy trades
- Access to VPS
Cons
- No cent accounts
- No fixed spread accounts
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 | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.62 | 1.15 |
| Commission per Lot | $3.5 | $3.5 |
IC Markets
IC Markets has low commissions. Fees for transactions on ECN accounts and spreads are acceptable to most traders, and the absence of charges for deposits/withdrawals and account inactivity is a significant advantage.
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 | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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IC Markets
IC Markets offers multiple options for depositing and withdrawing funds, but possible fees from banks and payment systems should be considered, along with some restrictions on withdrawal 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 | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 61 | 97 |
| Precious Metals | 7 | 20 |
| Energy Carriers | 5 | 4 |
| Soft Commodities | 8 | 16 |
| Indices | 25 | 26 |
| Stocks | 2175 | 986 |
| ETF | 38 | 108 |
| Bonds | 10 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 21 | 30 |
IC Markets
IC Markets offers various trading instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs on metals, energy resources, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
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 | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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IC Markets
IC Markets provides powerful and functional trading platforms suitable for various trader categories.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone offers a wide selection of high-quality and functional trading platforms, making it attractive to many investors.
Analytics
| Broker | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IC Markets
IC Markets provides its clients with an extensive set of analytical tools and materials, which can assist them in successful trading in the financial markets.
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 | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IC Markets
IC Markets offers a wide range of educational resources, from interactive video lessons to webinars and podcasts, demonstrating care for their clients and a commitment to providing all the necessary resources for successful trading.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone greatly emphasizes the educational component, offering a broad spectrum of instructional materials and resources.
Customer Support
| Broker | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTubeIC Markets
IC Markets provides a variety of communication channels, ensuring support service accessibility for clients. Numerous client reviews indicate the support team's quick response and high professionalism.
Pros
- Positive reviews about professional support
- Multiple channels for support communication
- Support is available 24/7
Cons
- Only international call option is available
Pepperstone
Pepperstone's support service provides clients with various communication channels, prompt responses, professionalism, and efficiency in problem-solving.
Comparisons of IC Markets and Pepperstone with other brokers
Conclusion
IC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while Pepperstone trails on aggregate criteria.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 4 in our rating; Pepperstone has 4.6/5 and ranks 7.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: IC Markets or Pepperstone?
IC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 4) versus Pepperstone (score 4.6/5, position 7).
Which broker is better for beginners: IC Markets or Pepperstone?
IC Markets 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) — IC 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 IC Markets and Pepperstone?
IC Markets: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. Pepperstone: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IC Markets and Pepperstone?
IC 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 IC Markets and Pepperstone?
IC Markets: Standard, Raw Spread cTrader, Raw Spread. Pepperstone: Standard, Razor. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IC Markets and Pepperstone?
IC Markets: PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, Swift, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, POLi, Rapidpay. Pepperstone: Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IC 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.
