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 | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees of XTB and Pepperstone, each broker offers distinct advantages based on account type and trading volume. XTB, with a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, provides a spread-only Standard account and a Professional account—though the latter is being phased out in most regions and is typically reserved for clients classified as elective Professionals in Europe and the U.K. XTB's average forex spread on the EUR/USD is approximately 1 pip, aligning with industry norms but falling short of top-performing brokers. Their Standard account, starting at a 250 base currency deposit, proves to be more cost-effective for smaller trades compared to the legacy Professional account. Additionally, XTB offers active traders a rebate program where a portion of the spread can be reduced from 5% to 30%, depending on trading volume, making it more competitive.
Pepperstone, also rated 4.5 stars in this category, holds the #10 rank among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, slightly ahead of XTB. The Razor account is particularly attractive for active traders, featuring an average spread of 0.10 pips on the EUR/USD complemented by a commission equivalent of 0.70 pips, totaling an all-in cost of 0.80 pips. In contrast, its Standard account, though commission-free, has a higher spread of 1.1 pips, making the Razor account more economically favorable. Pepperstone further incentivizes high-volume traders through its Active Trader program, offering rebates that can reach up to 30%, depending on monthly trading tiers.
In conclusion, while both brokers offer competitive pricing structures, the choice between them largely depends on your trading style and volume. XTB's Standard account might appeal to retail traders with smaller trade sizes, while Pepperstone's Razor account, linked with rebate opportunities, could serve high-volume traders more effectively. Both XTB and Pepperstone earn a commendable 4.5-star rating in commissions and fees, though their specific benefits serve different trading needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.70 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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.
XTB and Pepperstone both provide forex trading with the option to trade as CFDs or spot contracts. However, XTB stands out by offering a much broader selection of tradeable symbols, boasting 7,184 options compared to Pepperstone's 1,726. When it comes to forex pairs, XTB offers 71 while Pepperstone offers 65. For those interested in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, XTB allows clients to directly invest in company shares like Apple or Vodafone, while Pepperstone does not offer this service. In terms of cryptocurrency, neither broker provides the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies, though both offer cryptocurrency derivatives.
Additionally, while XTB doesn't support copy trading, Pepperstone does, which may appeal to those interested in mirroring the trades of experienced investors. Overall, XTB is highly rated with 5 stars for its range of investments, and it ranks 14th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Pepperstone holds a 4-star rating and ranks 26th in the same category. These ratings reflect the vast range of investment options available with XTB, making it an appealing choice for diverse trading needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 1726 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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) | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by XTB and Pepperstone, both brokers provide a variety of options that cater to different trading needs. XTB stands out with its in-house developed platform, delivering a tailored experience alongside the capability for simulated trading through a virtual demo account. It offers multiple ways to trade, including a Windows-based desktop application and a web-based platform. Although it lacks popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, XTB compensates with 32 drawing tools for charting and the ability to execute trades directly from stock charts. Watchlists on XTB come with eight customizable columns, providing a comprehensive way to track assets. Overall, XTB earns a high rating of 4.5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and is ranked 9th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Pepperstone also provides a range of options with its proprietary platform and supports paper trading through a demo account. It is compatible with both desktop downloads and web-based use, and importantly, Pepperstone includes MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, plus the option for copy trading, which could be a draw for traders looking for popular third-party software and social trading capabilities. While it offers 30 drawing tools and facilitates trading directly from stock charts, Pepperstone's watchlists feature seven columns. Despite these impressive capabilities, its Trading Platforms and Tools rating is slightly lower at 4 stars, and it is ranked 22nd by ForexBrokers.com. This makes Pepperstone a viable option, especially for those focused on utilizing third-party platforms and copy trading features.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XTB and Pepperstone provide mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, equipping traders with convenient access to forex and stock price alerts. However, these apps differ in their features. XTB's app is equipped with 39 technical studies for charting, while Pepperstone supplies 30. If trendline drawing is vital for your trading strategy, you'll find this feature available on both platforms. Both apps also support viewing charts across multiple time frames, ensuring flexibility for traders. Additionally, automatic saving of chart drawings ensures that your analysis is preserved between sessions, a feature both platforms share.
One notable difference lies in watchlist syncing; Pepperstone allows users to seamlessly synchronize watchlists between their mobile app and online account, while XTB does not offer this functionality. When it comes to creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both apps deliver impressive performance. In terms of user ratings, XTB's mobile app holds a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating compared to Pepperstone's 4-star rating. On ForexBrokers.com, out of 63 brokers, XTB ranks #8 for its mobile trading app offerings, while Pepperstone is placed at #21, highlighting XTB’s edge in mobile trading features.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Pepperstone
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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.
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 | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for new traders, both XTB and Pepperstone offer a wide array of learning materials, ideal for beginners eager to navigate the world of forex and CFDs. Both brokers provide a minimum of 10 educational pieces, from articles to videos and archived webinars, focusing on these key financial markets. Additionally, each offers monthly webinars and maintains a searchable archive of past sessions, making it simple to revisit and reinforce key concepts. Beginners will also find a wealth of starting resources with over 10 video tutorials covering fundamental trading topics provided by both brokers.
In terms of more advanced educational offerings, both XTB and Pepperstone excel with at least 10 videos tailored for experienced traders. However, Pepperstone distinguishes itself slightly by including an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 trading terms, an area where XTB does not compete. Despite this difference in specific offerings, XTB earns a slightly higher overall rating with 5 stars for education versus Pepperstone’s 4.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB ranks 11th out of 63 in the education category, while Pepperstone is placed at 17th, highlighting XTB's slight edge in educational offerings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | 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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Both XTB and Pepperstone do not offer the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both XTB and Pepperstone provide multiple options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, including PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires; however, while XTB does not support ACH or SEPA transfers, Pepperstone does offer these additional transfer methods.
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 | 0 | 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 (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | 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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 1726 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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) | 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 | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.70 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 30 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 | XTB | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | 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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