Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
When comparing online brokers XTB and Pepperstone, both companies boast strong regulatory credentials, providing high levels of trust for their users. XTB, founded in 2002, holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. It is publicly traded, enhancing its transparency for investors, and has achieved a high Trust Score of 96 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. Despite being younger than its counterpart, having been founded in 2010, Pepperstone is not publicly traded but impressively holds three Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, earning it a Trust Score of 95 out of 99.
Both XTB and Pepperstone are non-bank brokers, ensuring dedicated services specifically for trading. The fact that neither institution holds banking status might appeal to investors looking for firms that concentrate solely on brokerage services. With their impressive legal credentials and high Trust Scores, XTB and Pepperstone stand out as reliable choices for traders in the online brokerage space.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
Comparing commissions and fees, both XTB and Pepperstone earn 4.5/5 stars. Pepperstone ranks #11 out of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees, while XTB ranks #12. For typical forex trades, Pepperstone’s Razor account has the edge on EUR/USD with an all-in cost of about 0.80 pips (0.10-pip average spread plus roughly 0.70 pips in commission, as of July 2024). XTB’s Standard account averaged 1.0 pip on EUR/USD (Q4 2023), which is around the industry average. Pepperstone’s Standard account is pricier at a 1.1-pip average spread (July 2024).
XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, though the Pro option is being phased out and is generally unavailable to new retail clients in most regions. For smaller trade sizes, the Standard account tends to be the cheaper route, with a minimum deposit of 250 in your base currency. Active traders can join XTB’s Lower Spread Group to get spread rebates of 5% to 30% once monthly volume milestones are hit (from 20 up to 1000 lots).
Pepperstone’s Razor account (available on MetaTrader, cTrader, and TradingView) uses a commission model and delivers competitive pricing for frequent traders, especially when paired with its Active Trader program. In the U.K. and EU, eligible Professional clients can earn spread rebates starting around 15% per lot at £20 million in monthly forex volume, rising to 25% above £200 million. In Australia, Professional clients start at a 10% discount from 100 lots (over three months), rising to 30% beyond 3001 lots. Bottom line: high-volume traders may find Pepperstone’s Razor plus rebates more cost-effective, while lower-volume traders may prefer the simplicity of XTB’s Standard pricing.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 1.1 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 0.8 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB offers a wider range of investments than Pepperstone. XTB lists 7,184 tradeable symbols versus 1,726 at Pepperstone, and both brokers support forex trading (CFD/spot). XTB provides 71 currency pairs compared with Pepperstone’s 65. Crucially, XTB also lets you buy exchange‑traded shares on both U.S. and international markets (for example, Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange), while Pepperstone does not offer real share dealing.
Both brokers let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs, but neither supports buying actual crypto. Pepperstone supports copy trading; XTB does not. For range of investments, XTB is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15 of 63 brokers, while Pepperstone earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #27. In short, choose XTB if you want the broadest market access and real shares, or Pepperstone if copy trading matters more and a smaller lineup is acceptable.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 1726 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 65 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | 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.
XTB and Pepperstone both check key boxes for platform access and ease of use: each offers a free demo account for practice, a proprietary in-house platform, a Windows desktop download, a web-based trading platform, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. These shared features make either broker approachable for beginners and convenient for experienced traders who want fast order entry from the chart.
Where they differ is in third-party tools and social features. Pepperstone supports copy trading and offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while XTB does not provide copy trading or MT4/MT5. Both include technical indicators for charting. For Trading Platforms and Tools, XTB earns 4.5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Pepperstone earns 4 stars and ranks #22. Choose XTB if you want a highly rated in-house experience; choose Pepperstone if MT4/MT5 and copy trading are must-haves.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB vs Pepperstone for mobile trading: both offer iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto‑saved chart annotations. For ratings and recognition, XTB’s mobile app earns 4.5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps (ForexBrokers.com), while Pepperstone’s app holds 4 stars and ranks #21.
The key differences are watchlists and charting depth. XTB includes 39 technical studies in its mobile charts, compared with Pepperstone’s 30—useful if you rely on indicators. Pepperstone, however, syncs watchlist symbols between the app and your online account, while XTB does not, which is helpful if you switch between phone and desktop. Choose XTB for more built‑in indicators, or Pepperstone if seamless watchlist syncing matters most.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
In comparing XTB and Pepperstone for their market research offerings, both brokers provide daily commentary and forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders receive timely and reliable updates. While both brokers excel in offering sentiment-based tools that highlight trader positions across different markets, Pepperstone stands out by incorporating the Autochartist tool, whereas XTB does not integrate this technical analysis toolset.
Both XTB and Pepperstone provide an economic calendar to monitor global financial events, yet neither utilizes research tools from Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. Ultimately, XTB is rated higher for research, earning 5 stars compared to Pepperstone's 4.5 stars according to ForexBrokers.com. Furthermore, XTB holds a stronger research rank at 7th place out of 63 brokers, while Pepperstone is ranked 12th, making XTB a slightly more attractive option for those prioritizing comprehensive market research.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing XTB vs Pepperstone for beginner education: both brokers provide beginner-friendly forex and CFD learning, including at least 10 videos aimed at newcomers and online client webinars held every month. Each also offers 10+ advanced videos, so you can keep building skills after the basics.
That said, XTB holds the edge for education overall. XTB is rated 5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers for Education by ForexBrokers.com, while Pepperstone is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #17. If you want the higher-rated learning hub, choose XTB; Pepperstone still delivers strong value with plenty of beginner videos and ongoing webinars.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB is better than Pepperstone. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 95 |
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Online brokers XTB and Pepperstone do not allow buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
When comparing online brokers XTB vs Pepperstone for deposits and withdrawals, both support PayPal and bank wire transfers, XTB additionally supports Skrill, while Pepperstone uniquely offers ACH/SEPA transfers.
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 | XTB | Pepperstone | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Pepperstone | |
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| Regulation | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA 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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 1726 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | 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 | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 1.1 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 0.8 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XTB Review | Pepperstone Review |
| Overall | XTB | Pepperstone | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Pepperstone Review |
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