Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Pepperstone vs IFC Markets, 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, founded in 2010, and IFC Markets, established in 2006, are both online brokers with distinct regulatory standings. Neither is publicly traded or operates as a bank, but when it comes to trustworthiness, there are notable differences. According to ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone holds three Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, earning a high Trust Score of 95, indicating it is highly trusted. In contrast, IFC Markets, with no Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, has a Trust Score of 73, categorizing it as average risk.
These figures suggest that Pepperstone might be a more reassuring choice for those prioritizing security and regulatory oversight, given its excellent trust score and numerous top-tier licenses. On the other hand, IFC Markets could be suited for traders who are comfortable with a moderate level of risk, reflected in its Trust Score. This essential information offers potential investors a clear understanding of each broker's credibility and regulatory framework.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Pepperstone’s commissions and fees are most attractive on its Razor account. On EUR/USD, Razor showed an average spread of 0.10 pips, and after its commission (about 0.70 pips), the all-in cost is 0.80 pips as of July 2024. The Standard account is commission-free but listed a 1.1‑pip average spread, making it pricier than Razor. High‑volume traders can cut costs further with the Active Trader program: in the U.K. and EU, Professional clients get a 15% spread rebate per lot from £20 million in monthly volume, rising to 25% above £200 million; in Australia, Professional clients start from 100 lots (over three months) with a 10% discount per lot, scaling to a 30% reduction from 3001+ lots monthly. Pepperstone is rated 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers.
IFC Markets’ standard pricing is less competitive: the average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips versus the 1.08‑pip industry average. Active traders may prefer the ECN account, where the effective spread is about 1.1 pips after the 0.005% commission charged on both sides of a trade. IFC Markets also avoids inactivity fees and offers active‑trader discounts. For commissions and fees, IFC Markets holds a 4/5 star rating and ranks #40 out of 63.
Pepperstone vs IFC Markets on costs: frequent forex traders are likely to find Pepperstone’s Razor all‑in 0.80‑pip pricing and volume‑based rebates cheaper than IFC Markets’ ECN effective 1.1‑pip cost. For casual traders, Pepperstone’s 1.1‑pip Standard spread is still tighter than IFC Markets’ 1.44 pips, though IFC’s lack of inactivity fees may suit those who take breaks from trading. Overall, Pepperstone’s higher rating (4.5/5, #11/63) points to better cost competitiveness than IFC Markets (4/5, #40/63), especially at higher volumes.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 markets than IFC Markets, with 1,726 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs versus IFC Markets’ 630 symbols and 49 pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex via CFDs/spot, support copy trading, and provide cryptocurrency derivatives (but not actual crypto purchases).
For direct share dealing, neither broker offers U.S.-listed stocks like Apple, but IFC Markets does provide exchange-traded securities on select international exchanges (for example, London), while Pepperstone does not. Reflecting this lineup, Pepperstone is rated 4 stars and ranks 27th out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments on ForexBrokers.com; IFC Markets earns 3.5 stars and ranks 44th. Choose Pepperstone if you want more markets and currency pairs, or consider IFC Markets if access to certain international shares matters.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Pepperstone and IFC Markets line up closely on trading platforms and tools. Both offer free demo (paper) accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows desktop software, and web-based trading. You’ll find MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) at either broker. Each supports copy trading, but Pepperstone adds DupliTrade while IFC Markets does not; neither supports ZuluTrade.
Both brokers let you trade directly from charts and provide watch lists with seven columns. Charting varies: Pepperstone lists 30 drawing tools versus 15 at IFC Markets, while the number of built-in technical indicators isn’t specified for either. Each earned 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, yet ForexBrokers.com ranks Pepperstone higher (#22 of 63) than IFC Markets (#37 of 63), reflecting a slight edge for Pepperstone in platform variety.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 IFC Markets both deliver well-rounded mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, synced watchlists across devices, and real-time quotes. Charting is strong on both: you get 30 technical studies, the ability to draw trendlines, switch between multiple time frames (from intraday to weekly), and auto-saved drawings so your work carries over between sessions.
Both apps earn 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading. However, in ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, Pepperstone ranks #21 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets sits at #53. If overall standing matters to you, Pepperstone’s higher ranking may be a deciding factor. If you only need the core features—alerts, synced watchlists, and capable charting—both providers have you covered.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Pepperstone vs IFC Markets: both brokers deliver daily market commentary, an economic calendar, and a sentiment tool that shows the balance of long and short positions. Where they differ is in premium sources and add‑ons. Pepperstone includes forex news from top-tier outlets such as Bloomberg or Reuters and offers Autochartist for pattern and idea scanning. IFC Markets does not provide these two extras. Neither broker currently features Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools.
For overall research quality, Pepperstone earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #12 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #41. Traders who want timely news and Autochartist’s scanning may prefer Pepperstone, whereas IFC Markets covers the essentials with commentary, a calendar, and sentiment data.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Pepperstone and IFC Markets both provide over ten educational resources for forex or CFDs, ensuring beginners have access to a solid foundation of learning materials. Pepperstone stands out by offering regular online webinars every month, complemented by an extensive archive of recorded sessions. In contrast, IFC Markets does not provide webinars or an archive of past sessions, potentially limiting continuous learning opportunities for those who prefer interactive formats. For video lessons, both brokers cater to beginners with more than ten instructional videos each, and they also extend their learning support to advanced traders with a similar volume of advanced videos. Both platforms include an investor dictionary with over fifty key terms, aiding new traders in understanding essential market terminology. However, Pepperstone's educational offerings have earned it a 4.5-star rating and a #17 rank among 63 brokers, while IFC Markets trails behind with a 3.5-star rating and a #30 rank in the same category.
For beginners prioritizing a structured and comprehensive educational experience, Pepperstone might be more appealing, thanks to its interactive webinars and extensive learning resources. With higher ratings and ranks, it signals a commitment to weaving education seamlessly into the trading journey. On the other hand, while IFC Markets provides a strong foundation through videos and an investor dictionary, its absence of interactive webinars may not meet all learners' needs. Those starting their trading journey should weigh these educational offerings based on their preferred learning style to select the broker that best supports their growth in forex and CFD trading.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 IFC Markets. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Pepperstone offers a growing range of tradeable markets, good-quality research, and support for multiple social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Pepperstone and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Pepperstone offers a broader range of deposit and withdrawal options compared to IFC Markets, providing ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while IFC Markets supports only Visa or Mastercard and bank wires.
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 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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). |
| Cost | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Pepperstone | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill