Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote 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.
Swissquote, founded in 1996, stands as a highly trusted choice for online trading, boasting a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. As a publicly traded company and a bank, Swissquote showcases its credibility with five Tier-1 licenses, the highest level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com, and two Tier-2 licenses. This bolstered regulatory background offers users a sense of security as they engage in various financial transactions.
In comparison, Pepperstone, established in 2010, is noted for its strong trust credentials with a Trust Score of 95. Although not publicly traded or a bank, Pepperstone maintains a reputable presence with three Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses. These licenses, combined with its relatively high trust score, make Pepperstone a reliable platform for traders seeking a secure trading environment.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees of Swissquote and Pepperstone, the latter stands out as a more cost-effective option. Swissquote, a prominent Swiss banking conglomerate, offers a range of account options through its U.K., Luxembourg, and Swiss branches. However, the trading costs are relatively higher compared to low-cost forex brokers. For example, the Primary account at Swissquote U.K. comes with spreads starting at 1.3 pips for the Standard account and 0.6 pips for the Prime account, with the latter requiring a significant minimum deposit. Meanwhile, Swissquote's Luxembourg branch offers spreads ranging from 0.8 pips for Prime accounts to 1.5 pips for Standard accounts.
Pepperstone, rated 4.5 stars and ranked #10 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, excels in offering competitive pricing, particularly through its Razor account. This account provides an impressive average spread of 0.10 pips on the EUR/USD, with an all-in cost of 0.80 pips when commission is included. The Razor account is perfect for high-volume traders who can leverage Pepperstone's Active Trader program for rebates on spreads. On the other hand, Pepperstone's Standard account, which is commission-free, has an average spread of 1.1 pips, making it less competitive than the Razor account.
In summary, while Swissquote, rated 3.5 stars and ranked #53 by ForexBrokers.com, offers the prestige of associating with a Swiss bank, its trading costs are not the most attractive aspect. Conversely, Pepperstone provides better value, especially for active traders seeking to minimize trading costs. With its competitive pricing structure and appealing rebate programs, Pepperstone is a strong contender for those prioritizing low commissions and fees in their online trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.70 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments between Swissquote and Pepperstone, both brokers offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. However, Swissquote stands out with a broader selection of 472 tradeable symbols compared to Pepperstone's 1726. Although Swissquote offers a greater variety of forex pairs, with 80 compared to Pepperstone's 65, Pepperstone slightly edges out in overall symbol offerings. Crucially, Swissquote provides clients access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling you to invest in individual stocks like Apple and Vodafone. This feature is not available with Pepperstone, which focuses more on non-equity investments.
For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, Swissquote allows for the purchase of both actual cryptocurrencies and derivatives, while Pepperstone only deals in cryptocurrency derivatives. Both brokers support copy trading for users interested in mirroring the strategies of seasoned traders. Swissquote's comprehensive range of investment offerings has earned it a 5-star rating in the Range of Investments category, ranking 2nd out of 63 brokers, whereas Pepperstone achieves a respectable 4-star rating, holding the 26th place. If you’re looking for extensive investment choices, Swissquote emerges as a more diverse option compared to Pepperstone.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 1726 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
Swissquote and Pepperstone both offer comprehensive trading solutions for users, including free virtual demo accounts and proprietary platforms developed in-house. Both brokers provide versatile access through Windows-based desktop applications and web-based platforms, ensuring flexibility for traders. Users have access to popular MetaTrader platforms (MT4 and MT5) with both brokers, although Pepperstone extends its offerings with DupliTrade, supporting automated trading activities. Additionally, both Swissquote and Pepperstone offer copy trading for those interested in mimicking successful strategies from experienced traders.
When it comes to charting tools, Swissquote outshines Pepperstone by offering 75 drawing tools, compared to Pepperstone’s 30. Traders can act swiftly with both brokers, as they allow direct trading from stock charts. For watch list customization, Swissquote provides 11 columns for better organization of trading data, surpassing the seven columns Pepperstone offers. This attention to detail in its platform and tools earns Swissquote a 4.5-star rating and a #12 rank among 63 brokers, as noted by ForexBrokers.com, while Pepperstone garners a respectable 4-star rating and a #22 rank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Swissquote and Pepperstone offer comprehensive mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users, equipped with essential features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. They each provide 30 technical studies for charting purposes and allow the viewing of multiple time frames, ensuring traders have a flexible and adaptable trading experience. Moreover, both apps enable the creation of a watchlist with real-time quotes, enhancing users’ ability to monitor their favorite stocks or forex pairs with ease.
However, a notable difference between the two is in watchlist symbol syncing; Pepperstone supports syncing watchlists between its mobile app and the online account, while Swissquote does not. When it comes to user ratings and industry rankings, Swissquote edges out Pepperstone with a rating of 4.5 stars compared to Pepperstone's 4 stars. Additionally, Swissquote is ranked 12th out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Pepperstone holds the 21st position, making Swissquote a slightly more favored choice in this competitive landscape.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | 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.
Both Swissquote and Pepperstone provide daily market commentary and access to top-tier forex news from renowned sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. They also offer technical analysis and research tools from Autochartist, making them valuable resources for traders looking to make informed decisions. However, neither broker provides tools from Trading Central or market insights from TipRanks and Acuity Trading. While both brokers offer an economic calendar to track global economic events, a feature appreciated by those who follow market trends closely, Pepperstone distinguishes itself by providing a sentiment-based trading tool that Swissquote lacks.
In the realm of market research, Pepperstone has a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating compared to Swissquote's 4-star rating. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Pepperstone is positioned at #12, and Swissquote at #16 out of 63 brokers. While the offerings of both brokers are quite comprehensive, Pepperstone narrowly surpasses Swissquote in providing a slightly more enriched research experience for its users.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When diving into the world of online trading, especially for beginners, having access to quality educational resources is crucial. Both Swissquote and Pepperstone provide a wealth of educational materials to help new traders get started. Both platforms offer more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, focusing on forex and CFDs. Also, both brokers host monthly live webinars and maintain a searchable archive of past sessions, allowing users to learn at their own pace. Each broker offers a robust library with at least ten educational videos specifically tailored for beginners, ensuring that newcomers have the foundational knowledge needed to begin trading.
Beyond beginner resources, both Swissquote and Pepperstone cater to more advanced users by offering over ten advanced educational videos. They also provide an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, making complex jargon more accessible. Although Swissquote is rated four stars for education and ranks 21st out of 63 brokers, Pepperstone slightly edges out with a 4.5-star rating and ranks 17th. This distinction may make Pepperstone the preferred choice for those prioritizing educational resources. However, given the quality offerings from both brokers, beginner traders can confidently choose either platform to kickstart their trading journey.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 Swissquote is better than Pepperstone. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 |
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Swissquote allows users to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Pepperstone only provides the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Swissquote and Pepperstone offer a variety of funding options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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) | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 1726 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.70 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | 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 | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | Pepperstone | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | Pepperstone Review |
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