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 is generally cheaper than BDSwiss for EUR/USD when you choose its Razor account. Pepperstone earns 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss earns 4/5 stars and ranks #31 out of 63.
Pepperstone’s Razor account uses a commission model and lists an average EUR/USD spread of 0.10 pips; adding the commission-equivalent of 0.70 pips brings the all-in cost to about 0.80 pips. Its Standard account is commission-free at about 1.1 pips, so it’s pricier than Razor. High-volume traders can reduce costs further via Pepperstone’s Active Trader program: in the UK/EU, eligible pros starting at £20 million in monthly forex volume get roughly a 15% per-lot rebate that can rise to 25% above £200 million; in Australia, pros need 100 lots over three months for a 10% discount (Tier One), with up to 30% off for more than 3001 lots per month (Tier Three).
BDSwiss’ pricing is higher on EUR/USD by comparison. The Classic account is about 1.5 pips, VIP is around 1.2 pips, and the Raw account is 0.3 pips plus $5 commission per side (about 1.3 pips all-in). Against Pepperstone’s Razor at roughly 0.80 pips all-in, BDSwiss’ lowest-cost option is still higher, and its Classic spread is wider than Pepperstone’s Standard. Always check live spreads and your eligibility for any rebates before you trade.
| 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 offers a wider range of investments than BDSwiss, with 1,726 tradeable symbols versus BDSwiss’s 1,081. Forex traders also get a bit more choice at Pepperstone with 65 currency pairs compared with 53 at BDSwiss. Both brokers let you trade forex via CFDs, support copy trading, and provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives (CFDs) rather than actual coins. If you’re looking for exchange-traded shares, note that neither broker lets you buy real stocks on U.S. or international exchanges.
For Range of Investments, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars. However, Pepperstone ranks higher overall in this category, placing 27th out of 63 brokers, while BDSwiss ranks 35th. In short, Pepperstone edges ahead for breadth of markets and forex selection, while BDSwiss remains a solid option with a slightly smaller lineup.
| 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.
Pepperstone and BDSwiss both deliver strong forex and CFD education for beginner traders. Each offers well over 10 pieces of learning content, frequent client webinars (at least monthly), and a searchable archive of past sessions. Beginners will find at least 10 introductory videos at both brokers, plus another set of 10 videos aimed at more experienced traders for when you’re ready to level up. Both also include an investor dictionary with 50+ trading terms, which helps newcomers get comfortable with key concepts.
When it comes to quality scores, Pepperstone earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #22. In short, both are solid choices for learning the basics through videos and webinars, with Pepperstone holding a slight edge for overall education.
| 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 |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Pepperstone | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| 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) | |||
| 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 | ||
| 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) |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | BDSwiss Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill