Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Pepperstone, 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.
In the world of online trading, choosing a trustworthy broker is crucial. IG, founded in 1974, is a seasoned player in the financial arena and is publicly traded, which often means greater transparency for investors. As a bank, IG has certain protections and obligations that may be appealing to traders. It holds an impressive 8 Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com standards, and boasts a perfect Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99. Additionally, IG has 2 Tier-2 licenses, signifying further regulatory compliance.
Pepperstone, on the other hand, entered the market in 2010 and does not operate as a publicly traded company or a bank. While it holds 3 Tier-1 licenses—fewer than IG—it still manages to maintain a strong regulatory standing with these highly trusted licenses. Pepperstone scores a commendable 95 out of 99 on the ForexBrokers.com Trust Score scale, reflecting its commitment to maintaining trust with its clients. Furthermore, like IG, Pepperstone holds 2 Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers demonstrate a commitment to regulation, but IG’s longer history and more extensive licensing may offer greater reassurance to some investors.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
IG and Pepperstone both deliver competitive commissions and fees, but they appeal to slightly different trader types. IG earns 5 out of 5 stars for Commissions and Fees and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers, while Pepperstone scores 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63. On headline EUR/USD pricing, Pepperstone’s Razor account lists an average 0.10‑pip spread plus a 0.70‑pip commission equivalent for a 0.80‑pip all‑in cost (July 2024). IG’s Forex Direct (DMA) averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023, and when you add its commission, the all‑in cost comes to about 0.82 pips—close to Pepperstone, but a touch higher.
IG offers several ways to trade and save. Its CFD account showed typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.69 pips during the main session in July 2023 (0.98 pips across the full day, with wider pricing during quieter hours). High‑volume traders can qualify for active‑trader rebates of 10% to 20% on spreads (e.g., a stated example shows costs dropping to roughly 0.60 pips at the top tier). For deeper pricing, IG’s Forex Direct DMA account uses tiered commissions that start at $60 per million and can fall to $10 per million per side at very large volumes, supporting efficient execution for sizable orders.
Pepperstone’s strength is its commission-based Razor account across TradingView, MetaTrader, and cTrader, with that 0.80‑pip all‑in EUR/USD cost noted above. Its Standard account is commission‑free but carries a higher 1.1‑pip average spread (July 2024). Active Trader rebates can trim costs further: UK/EU professional clients may see 15% to 25% spread rebates (from £20M to £200M per month), while in Australia, professional clients can receive 10% to 30% off the spread depending on lots traded. In short, Pepperstone Razor is fractionally cheaper at the headline EUR/USD level, while IG counters with multiple pricing paths and meaningful rebates that can materially lower costs for eligible high‑volume traders.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.70 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG and Pepperstone both support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but their overall market selection differs a lot. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while Pepperstone offers 1,726 symbols and 65 forex pairs. IG also lets you buy exchange-traded stocks on U.S. and international exchanges (think Apple on NASDAQ or Vodafone in London), which Pepperstone does not offer. For crypto, both brokers provide cryptocurrency CFDs, but only IG lets you buy actual (delivered) crypto.
If social trading matters, Pepperstone includes copy trading while IG does not. For the Range of Investments category, ForexBrokers.com rates IG at 5 stars and ranks it #4 out of 63 brokers, versus Pepperstone at 4 stars and #27. In short, IG suits traders who want the widest choice across markets, while Pepperstone appeals to those who prefer a CFD-focused lineup with copy trading options.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1726 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 65 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
IG vs Pepperstone for trading platforms and tools: both brokers provide a free demo account for paper trading, proprietary platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each supports trading directly from charts and offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4). The key differences are that Pepperstone also supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and offers copy trading, while IG does not support MT5 and does not offer copy trading.
According to ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools ratings, IG earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #2 of 63 brokers, while Pepperstone earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #22. Choose IG if you want a higher-rated platform experience; choose Pepperstone if you need MT5 and copy trading alongside MT4 and a full desktop/web setup.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and Pepperstone both offer full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, including price alerts and watchlist syncing with your web account. Each app lets you draw trendlines on charts and automatically saves your drawings. For charting depth, IG includes 33 technical studies while Pepperstone offers 30, giving IG a slight edge for traders who rely on indicators and mobile analysis.
When it comes to ratings, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Pepperstone holds 4 stars and ranks #21. If you want the highest-rated mobile trading experience with more built-in studies, choose IG. If you already trade with Pepperstone, you’ll still get alerts, syncing, and capable charting on the go.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing IG and Pepperstone for their market research offerings, both brokers stand out by delivering daily market commentary and providing forex news from trusted sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Additionally, they both incorporate Autochartist tools for better technical and fundamental research, along with sentiment-based trading tools showing the long or short position ratio across currency pairs. Furthermore, both offer an economic calendar with current global news events, enhancing their research capabilities.
However, there are notable differences between the two. IG has the edge in terms of variety and depth, offering insights from platforms like TipRanks and additional tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which Pepperstone lacks. Rated at 5 stars compared to Pepperstone’s 4.5, IG secures the #2 position in research rankings by ForexBrokers.com out of 63 brokers, while Pepperstone sits at #12. This indicates IG's superior position when it comes to comprehensive market research features.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing IG vs Pepperstone for beginner education: both brokers deliver solid forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces each, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on trading. They also run ongoing client webinars (at least monthly) and offer 10+ beginner-friendly videos that explain the basics—platform setup, order types, risk management, and core trading concepts—so new traders can build confidence step by step.
Where they differ is in overall strength and recognition. IG earns a 5-star Education rating and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, and it backs that up with 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go further. Pepperstone also provides 10+ advanced videos, holds a 4.5-star Education rating, and ranks #17 out of 63. Both are good for getting started, but IG is the better pick if education quality and depth are your top priority.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than Pepperstone. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 |
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IG allows buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and trading cryptocurrency CFDs, whereas Pepperstone supports cryptocurrency CFDs only and does not offer purchases of the underlying coins.
In the IG vs Pepperstone comparison, both online brokers support ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, while neither supports Skrill.
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 | IG | Pepperstone | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Pepperstone | |
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| Regulation | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1726 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.70 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Overall | IG | Pepperstone | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Pepperstone Review |
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