Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Pepperstone vs IronFX, 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 IronFX, both established in 2010, are online brokers that offer similar regulatory standings but differ in trust scores and license holdings. Both privately held and not listed on any stock exchange, neither broker is operated as a bank. In terms of Trust Scores provided by ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone stands out with a near-perfect score of 95, suggesting high levels of trust, while IronFX is rated at 83, marking it as a trusted broker, though slightly less trustworthy than Pepperstone.
When comparing their regulatory licenses, Pepperstone holds three Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, highlighting its strong regulatory compliance. IronFX, on the other hand, holds three Tier-1 licenses but lacks any Tier-2 licenses. This difference in licensing underscores Pepperstone's broader regulatory coverage, which can be an important consideration for traders prioritizing security and trust in their online trading experience.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Pepperstone’s pricing stands out most on its Razor account, which uses a commission-based model on TradingView, MetaTrader (MT4/MT5), or cTrader. As of July 2024, the EUR/USD averaged 0.10 pips in spread; once you factor in the commission-equivalent of 0.70 pips, the all-in cost is about 0.80 pips—around the industry average. Its commission-free Standard account averaged 1.1 pips on EUR/USD, making it pricier than Razor. Pepperstone also offers volume-based rebates for eligible professional clients: in the UK/EU, spread rebates start at 15% from £20 million in monthly forex volume and rise to 25% above £200 million; in Australia, discounts range from 10% (from 100 lots over three months) up to 30% for more than 3001 lots per month.
IronFX’s fees tend to be higher. The broker lists a typical 1.8-pip spread for its Standard variable account (no date range provided). Its zero fixed-spread account starts at a 0-pip spread but adds a $18 per lot commission, and spreads widen to 3 pips overnight. Pricing varies by account type, but overall trading costs appeared above the industry average in our review context.
Bottom line: for spreads and all-in costs, Pepperstone’s Razor account generally undercuts IronFX’s Standard pricing, and its volume-based rebates can further reduce expenses for high-volume professionals. Pepperstone: 4.5/5 stars for Commissions and Fees, ranked #11 out of 63 brokers. IronFX: 4/5 stars for Commissions and Fees, ranked #47 out of 63 brokers.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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 vs IronFX: For overall choice, Pepperstone lists 1,726 tradeable symbols, far more than IronFX’s 340. IronFX counters with a wider set of forex pairs (83 vs Pepperstone’s 65). Both brokers let you trade forex via CFDs or spot contracts, and both support copy trading. Neither broker offers exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international stock exchanges. If you’re interested in crypto, note that neither broker sells actual coins, but both provide cryptocurrency derivatives.
In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, Pepperstone earns 4 stars and ranks #27 out of 63 brokers, while IronFX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #52. In short, pick Pepperstone if you want more total markets, and consider IronFX if your priority is a larger list of forex pairs.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 83 |
| 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 vs IronFX: both brokers offer free demo accounts, Windows desktop and web-based platforms, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. Pepperstone stands out by adding its own proprietary platform and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), plus DupliTrade integration, while IronFX does not offer a proprietary platform, MT5, or DupliTrade. Neither broker supports ZuluTrade. Each provides seven watch‑list columns, making it easy to track key market data.
For charting, Pepperstone supplies 30 drawing tools compared with 15 at IronFX, and both include a selection of technical indicators. Based on ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools scores, Pepperstone earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #22 of 63 brokers, while IronFX earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #62 of 63. In short, Pepperstone is the better fit if you want more platform choice and extras like MT5 and DupliTrade, whereas IronFX can suit traders who stick with MT4 and need core web and desktop access with chart trading.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| 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 IronFX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts and real-time quote watchlists. Their charting tools are similar: each provides 30 technical studies, the ability to draw trendlines, switch among multiple time frames (intraday to weekly), and auto-saves chart drawings. In short, both apps cover the core features traders expect on the go.
The key difference is watchlist syncing. Pepperstone syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while IronFX does not—handy if you manage lists across devices. Ratings also tilt toward Pepperstone: it earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #21 out of 63 for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com. IronFX scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #63. If seamless sync and higher third-party ratings matter to you, Pepperstone has an edge; otherwise, both deliver the essential mobile tools.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Pepperstone and IronFX both deliver daily market commentary, top-tier forex news (from sources like Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones), and handy economic calendars covering global events. The key differences are in the tools: Pepperstone includes Autochartist and a sentiment-based trading tool that shows long/short ratios, while IronFX does not. By contrast, IronFX offers Trading Central research, which Pepperstone doesn’t. Pepperstone does not use TipRanks or Acuity Trading; IronFX’s use of TipRanks or Acuity Trading isn’t specified.
For overall research quality, Pepperstone earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #12 of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IronFX scores 4 stars and ranks #29. If you value Autochartist and sentiment data, Pepperstone may suit you best; if you prefer Trading Central’s insights, IronFX is the better fit.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners between Pepperstone and IronFX, both brokers offer rich learning materials, but there are some key differences. Pepperstone provides a more comprehensive offering by conducting monthly online webinars and granting access to a searchable archive of these sessions. This setup helps users stay updated with the latest trading techniques and market trends. Both brokers supply over ten beginner educational videos, but only Pepperstone extends this to include advanced trading topics for experienced traders. Additionally, both platforms feature at least 10 educational pieces and boast an investor dictionary with more than 50 terms, which is helpful for those new to investing.
Pepperstone is recognized for its broader educational activities, with a 4.5-star rating, placing it at number 17 out of 63 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com rankings. IronFX, while offering a solid foundation for beginners, scores slightly lower at 4 stars, ranking it at position 44. For those interested in continuous learning and access to advanced trading strategies, Pepperstone has a slight edge, thanks to its all-encompassing educational suite and monthly webinars that offer fresh insights to eager and experienced traders alike.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 IronFX. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
Pepperstone offers a growing range of tradeable markets, good-quality research, and support for multiple social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 83 |
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Both Pepperstone and IronFX provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither offers the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing Pepperstone and IronFX for financial transactions, Pepperstone provides a more versatile range of deposit and withdrawal methods by supporting ACH, SEPA transfers, and PayPal, alongside shared options of Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas IronFX lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options.
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 | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Pepperstone | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | Pepperstone | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Pepperstone | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 83 | |
| 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 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Pepperstone | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Pepperstone | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Pepperstone | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Pepperstone | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review |
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