Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Pepperstone vs BDSwiss, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Pepperstone and BDSwiss, both recognized online brokers, cater to global traders but differ in their regulatory credentials. Founded in 2010, Pepperstone has established itself as a highly trusted broker with a Trust Score of 95 out of 99, according to ForexBrokers.com. It boasts three Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, underscoring its credibility in the financial world. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, Pepperstone provides a sense of security for its users through this extensive regulatory coverage.
BDSwiss, established in 2012, also serves traders internationally but has a more moderate Trust Score of 73, positioning it within the average risk range. The firm holds one Tier-1 license, offering a basic but essential level of assurance to its clients. However, BDSwiss lacks Tier-2 licenses, which may influence the perception of trust when compared to its competitor, Pepperstone. Like Pepperstone, BDSwiss is neither publicly traded nor operates as a bank. This makes understanding their regulatory footprints crucial for traders choosing between them.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
Pepperstone and BDSwiss offer competitive options for traders, but their commission structures and fees can significantly affect their attractiveness. Pepperstone is favored for its Razor account, which provides competitive pricing, especially when paired with the Active Trader program for high-volume users. The Razor account employs a commission-based pricing model along with prevailing spreads, averaging a total cost of 0.80 pips for the EUR/USD. Conversely, the Standard account, with an average spread of 1.1 pips on the EUR/USD, is less enticing due to its higher costs. Active traders can benefit from rebates on spreads based on their monthly trading volume, with Pepperstone offering discounts up to 25% for those with significant trading activity.
BDSwiss, in contrast, has a straightforward pricing approach with higher spreads compared to Pepperstone. Its Classic account features spreads of 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD, which is above the industry average. The Raw account offers a more competitive structure with a spread of 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3 pips. Meanwhile, the VIP account reduces the effective spread slightly to 1.2 pips. Despite higher spreads, BDSwiss is recognized for excellent order execution, making it a viable option for many traders.
When it comes to ratings, Pepperstone earns an impressive 4.5 stars out of five, placing it 10th among 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss, while close behind with a 4-star rating, ranks 30th in the same category. Both brokers offer unique benefits aimed at different types of traders, but for those prioritizing cost efficiency, Pepperstone’s Razor account might be the more appealing choice.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Pepperstone and BDSwiss both provide opportunities for forex trading, allowing clients to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts. When it comes to the sheer number of tradeable symbols, Pepperstone has an edge, offering 1726 symbols compared to BDSwiss's 1081. For those focusing specifically on forex pairs, Pepperstone again takes the lead with 65 pairs, surpassing the 53 pairs offered by BDSwiss. Additionally, both brokers support copy trading, providing a path for less experienced traders to follow the strategies of others. However, neither Pepperstone nor BDSwiss offer the option to trade U.S. or international exchange-traded securities directly.
Cryptocurrency investors looking to trade derivatives, rather than the actual cryptocurrencies, will find options with both platforms, though neither offers buying or delivering actual cryptocurrencies. According to ForexBrokers.com, both brokers are rated with four stars for their range of investments, yet Pepperstone ranks higher at 26th place compared to BDSwiss's 34th out of 63 brokers. This indicates that while both platforms offer similar services in terms of diversification, Pepperstone is perceived to provide a slightly broader range of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Pepperstone and BDSwiss both offer a range of trading platforms and tools designed to cater to varied trader needs. For those interested in trying their skills without real financial risk, both brokers provide simulated paper trading through a free virtual demo account. Each broker has developed a proprietary trading platform, and they support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, allowing users flexibility in how they trade, whether on a Windows-based desktop or web-based browser. Pepperstone also gives traders the option to use DupliTrade for copy trading, a feature not available with BDSwiss. However, both brokers do not support ZuluTrade. For charting enthusiasts, Pepperstone offers a more extensive set of tools with 30 drawing options, compared to 15 provided by BDSwiss.
When it comes to other important features, both platforms allow trading directly from stock charts and offer seven columns for watch lists, giving traders ample ways to organize and manage their investments. Rated 4 out of 5 stars each for trading platforms and tools, both brokers show strong performance. Pepperstone holds a slightly higher rank in this category, coming in at #22 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss is ranked closely behind at #24. Ultimately, both provide robust features for various trading strategies, making them solid choices depending on specific trading preferences and needs.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Pepperstone and BDSwiss both offer mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Users can expect to receive stock or forex price alerts no matter which app they choose. Additionally, each platform provides 30 technical studies for charting, the ability to draw trendlines, and the option to view multiple time frames on charts, such as daily, weekly, or intraday. Both apps automatically save drawings and allow traders to create watchlists with real-time quotes.
One key advantage Pepperstone holds over BDSwiss is the capability to sync watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the client's online account, making it easier to manage updates across devices. While both apps are rated 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading capabilities, Pepperstone ranks slightly higher at #21 in ForexBrokers.com's assessment, compared to BDSwiss's #24 position. Overall, both platforms provide solid options for mobile trading, with Pepperstone offering a slight edge with its added syncing feature.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research features of Pepperstone and BDSwiss, it's clear both brokers have their strengths. Pepperstone stands out with its inclusion of daily market commentary and forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters—a feature not offered by BDSwiss. Additionally, Pepperstone provides a sentiment-based trading tool that offers insights into trading positions across currency pairs, giving traders a unique perspective on market sentiment. Also, both platforms offer technical analysis tools from Autochartist, yet Pepperstone does not utilize Trading Central research tools, which BDSwiss does to enhance their market analysis capabilities.
Both brokers provide users with an economic calendar for tracking global news events, but where Pepperstone excels in research, it's evident in its superior ranking and rating. Boasting a 4.5-star research rating, Pepperstone ranks 12th among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss, with a still commendable 4-star rating, ranks 24th. Despite neither broker offering market insights from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, Pepperstone's access to high-quality forex news and unique trading tools gives it an edge over BDSwiss for those placing a high value on comprehensive market research.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, Pepperstone and BDSwiss both stand out in the online brokerage scene. Each offers a comprehensive range of educational content, providing at least ten resources dedicated to forex or CFDs, ensuring that newbies have a wealth of information at their fingertips. They both hold regular monthly webinars and maintain a searchable archive of past sessions, allowing learners to access valuable insights at their convenience. Furthermore, they cater to different knowledge levels by offering more than ten videos for both beginner and advanced traders. This approach ensures that as users' trading expertise grows, their educational needs are still met.
Both platforms support their users with comprehensive investor dictionaries, featuring over 50 terms, making them ideal for demystifying trading jargon. However, when considering overall ratings, Pepperstone edges ahead with an educational score of 4.5 stars compared to BDSwiss’s 4 stars. Additionally, in the rankings of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone comes in at #17 for education, whereas BDSwiss is close behind at #19. This slight edge might guide beginners toward Pepperstone if educational resources are a top priority, although both brokers offer valuable, accessible educational content.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Pepperstone is better than BDSwiss. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
Pepperstone offers a growing range of tradeable markets, good-quality research, and support for multiple social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
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Both Pepperstone and BDSwiss do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, Pepperstone and BDSwiss both support ACH, SEPA, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing and withdrawing funds, but only Pepperstone additionally offers PayPal as a payment option.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Regulation | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Pepperstone Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | BDSwiss Review |
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