WhichBrokerHead to head · data verified October 2026
Pepperstone vs IC Markets
A close call — 0.2 points apart. The winner depends on what you trade.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | Pepperstone | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.9 | 8.7 |
| Founded | 2010 | 2007 |
| Regulation | ASIC (AU), FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), DFSA (AE), BaFin (DE), SCB (BS), CMA (KE) | ASIC (AU), CySEC (EU), FSA (SC) |
| Min. deposit | £10 UK, $10 elsewhere (recommended $200+) | €200 (EU entity); $0 listed by the global entity |
| Fees | Razor account: spreads from 0.0 pips + £2.25/lot per side on GBP accounts (~$3.50 on USD); Standard: from 1.0 pip, no commission | Raw account: spreads from 0.0 pips + $3.50/lot; average EUR/USD spread ~0.1 pip |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Markets | 1,200+ instruments: forex, indices, shares, commodities, crypto CFDs | 2,250+ instruments: forex, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto & stock CFDs |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Active forex traders, Scalpers & algo traders | Scalpers, High-volume forex traders |
Our verdict
Choose Pepperstone if you want active forex traders · scalpers & algo traders — its standout pillar in our scoring is platforms.
Choose IC Markets if you want scalpers · high-volume forex traders.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Pepperstone or IC Markets?
It's close: Pepperstone scores 8.9/10 and IC Markets 8.7/10 in our methodology. The right choice depends on your profile — Pepperstone is strongest for active forex traders, while IC Markets leads for scalpers.
Is Pepperstone safe?
Pepperstone is overseen by ASIC (AU), FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), DFSA (AE), BaFin (DE), SCB (BS), CMA (KE). Our trust score for it is 8.9/10 — see the full Pepperstone review for the reasoning.
Is IC Markets safe?
IC Markets is overseen by ASIC (AU), CySEC (EU), FSA (SC). Our trust score for it is 8.4/10 — see the full IC Markets review for the reasoning.