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 |
When it comes to trading commissions and fees, IG and Pepperstone are compelling options, each with unique features that cater to different trading styles. IG impresses with its active trader pricing available through its Forex Direct accounts, making it an excellent option for those who frequently engage in large orders. Its spreads are around the industry average, with an all-in cost of 0.82 pips when you factor in a per-trade commission. On top of that, IG offers active trader rebates, with discounts up to 20% for those trading over £300 million a month. IG earns a 5-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked 8th out of 63 brokers in this category.
Pepperstone, meanwhile, offers agency execution and competitive pricing through its Razor account, recommended for high-volume traders. With an average EUR/USD spread of 0.10 pips combined with a commission-equivalent cost, the all-in cost comes to 0.80 pips, keeping it near the industry average. However, its Standard account, though commission-free, features higher spreads. Like IG, Pepperstone offers an Active Trader program with rebates depending on monthly trading volume. Pepperstone secures a 4.5-star rating and ranks 10th for commissions and fees among 63 brokers.
Overall, both brokers provide appealing options, with IG specializing in variable execution methods and trader rebates while Pepperstone excels in agency execution and competitive pricing for active traders. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on your trading volume and the specific trading platform you prefer. Both brokers offer strong benefits designed to enhance your trading experience, with IG slightly edging ahead in our overall ranking.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.70 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG and Pepperstone both offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, allowing traders to explore a wide range of currency pairs. However, IG stands out with a massive selection of 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while Pepperstone offers 1,726 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs. IG provides access to exchange-traded securities across U.S. and international markets such as Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, which isn't available with Pepperstone. This broad access gives IG a considerable advantage for those looking to diversify beyond forex trading into stock markets globally.
Pepperstone, on the other hand, offers copy trading capabilities, which is not available with IG. When it comes to cryptocurrency, IG allows for both actual cryptocurrency purchases and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Pepperstone only offers cryptocurrency derivatives. With these distinctions in mind, IG is rated 5 stars for its range of investments, ranked 4th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Pepperstone earns 4 stars and a rank of 26th. This reflects IG's more comprehensive offering in terms of available investments compared to Pepperstone.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1726 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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.
When comparing IG and Pepperstone for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer strong options for traders of all experiences. IG provides a proprietary trading platform, alongside options like a Windows-based desktop download and a web-based trading platform. Traders can also use MetaTrader 4 (MT4) with IG, but not MetaTrader 5 (MT5). For those new to trading or looking to practice, IG offers a free virtual demo account. Meanwhile, Pepperstone matches IG with their own proprietary and MT4 platforms, but also extends to MT5 users and includes copy trading capabilities — a feature IG does not provide. Pepperstone also stands out with support for platforms like DupliTrade, offering more diverse trading experiences.
In terms of charting, IG includes 20 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from charts, similar to Pepperstone which offers an enhanced selection of 30 drawing tools. Furthermore, Pepperstone allows for more comprehensive watch lists with seven columns compared to IG's five. However, IG garners a higher rating in trading platforms and tools, earning five stars and a #2 ranking among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, illustrating its overall excellence. In contrast, Pepperstone is rated four stars and ranks 22nd, signaling strong capabilities, but a notch below IG's offerings.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both IG and Pepperstone provide comprehensive mobile trading apps available on both iPhone and Android platforms, ensuring traders can access their accounts on the go. These apps are equipped with essential features such as price alerts for stocks or forex and the ability to sync watchlists across devices, allowing users to easily track and react to market changes. IG takes a slight edge in charting functionalities, offering 33 technical studies compared to Pepperstone's 30, along with features like trendline drawing and multiple time frame viewing. Both apps also possess features that auto save chart drawings, facilitating a seamless experience for users who frequently update or adjust their analyses.
While both IG and Pepperstone deliver watchlists with real-time quotes, IG has earned a higher user rating of 5 stars for its mobile trading app, compared to Pepperstone’s 4 stars. In rankings compiled by ForexBrokers.com, IG leads the pack at first place out of 63 brokers for the Mobile Trading Apps category, while Pepperstone holds the twenty-first position. This strong performance suggests IG's mobile app might offer a slightly smoother and more intuitive user experience, although both apps bring competitive features to the table.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 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 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by IG and Pepperstone, both brokers stand out with their comprehensive range of materials. IG consistently leads the pack, boasting the top ranking in education among 63 brokers, with a perfect 5-star rating. The broker provides a plethora of educational materials, including more than ten pieces of content such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex or CFDs. They also offer monthly online webinars and an easily searchable archive of recorded sessions, tailored specifically to beginner traders. Additionally, IG offers a comprehensive investor dictionary with over 50 term definitions and a selection of beginner videos that help demystify trading concepts.
Pepperstone excels as well, with a commendable 4.5-star education rating. Like IG, they offer more than ten educational pieces centered on forex and CFDs, supplemented by at least ten beginner-friendly videos. Monthly webinars are also a staple feature at Pepperstone, and they maintain a searchable archive for those who wish to revisit previous sessions. For those progressing beyond the basics, Pepperstone provides more than ten advanced videos. Their investor dictionary mirrors IG's coverage with definitions for over 50 investing terms. Nevertheless, despite these extensive resources, Pepperstone ranks 17th in education out of 63 brokers, making IG the go-to choice for beginners seeking top-tier educational support in online trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 users to purchase actual cryptocurrency and offers cryptocurrency derivatives, while Pepperstone provides access solely to cryptocurrency derivatives without offering direct cryptocurrency purchases.
Both IG and Pepperstone provide a variety of options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Visa or Mastercard, with Pepperstone offering an additional option of Skrill, unlike IG.
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 | No | |
| 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) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1726 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.70 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 30 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 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 | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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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