Forex.com vs Pepperstone: Comparison and Analysis

Forex.com vs Pepperstone: A Comparison of Brokers

When it comes to online brokers, Forex.com and Pepperstone are two well-known names in the trading industry. They both offer various features to cater to traders of all levels, but how do they compare to each other? In this comparison summary, we will analyse the different aspects of these two brokers and see which one is a better fit for traders.

Security

Forex.com has an excellent security rating of 95 and is regulated by several renowned institutions such as CySEC, FCA, ASIC, JFSA, MAS, HKSFC, CIMA, IIROC, NFA, and CFTC. This regulatory environment makes Forex.com available in many countries, including the USA. On the other hand, Pepperstone also has an impressive security rating of 94 and is regulated by FCA, ASIC, DFSA, CySEC, SCB, and CMA. In terms of security, both brokers are trustworthy and reliable.

Demo Accounts

Forex.com offers a demo account with a duration of 30 days and virtual funds of $10,000, which can be restored by contacting customer support. Pepperstone, on the other hand, offers a demo account with a duration of 30 days for MT4 and MT5 accounts and an unlimited duration for cTrader accounts, with virtual funds of $50,000, which can also be restored by contacting customer support. In terms of demo accounts, Pepperstone offers a better deal with a higher amount of virtual funds and unlimited duration for cTrader accounts.

Account Opening

Forex.com requires a minimum deposit of $100 and accepts USD, EUR, and GBP as account currencies. It also offers various account types, including Standard, MT4 and MT5 accounts, commission accounts, corporate accounts, DMA accounts, STP Pro accounts, Islamic accounts, and professional accounts for advanced traders. Pepperstone, on the other hand, has no minimum deposit in place, but suggests a minimum deposit of $200. It offers over 10 base currencies, including USD, EUR, AUD, and GBP, and several payment methods such as wire transfers, credit/debit cards, eWallets, and local payment methods. It also offers account types such as Standard, Razor, Spread Betting, MAM/PAMM, and Professional accounts. In terms of account opening, Pepperstone is more flexible and offers a wider range of account currencies.

Social-Copy Trading

Forex.com does not offer copy-social trading. In contrast, Pepperstone allows traders to engage in copy trading through third-party platforms such as Duplitrade and Myfxbook. If social-copy trading is important to you, Pepperstone is a better option.

Markets

Forex.com offers a wide range of markets, including 80 forex pairs, 12 commodities, 18 indices, 80 crypto assets, and 220+ stocks. It also offers futures and options trading. Pepperstone, on the other hand, offers 70 forex pairs, 15 commodities, 14 indices, 70 crypto assets, and 60+ stocks. It does not offer futures and options trading. Both brokers offer CFD trading only, which makes them better options for short-term trading rather than long-term investing. In terms of markets, Forex.com has a wider range of offerings.

Trading Fees

Forex.com offers variable spreads, which start from 0.2 pips on forex and can go higher depending on the trader’s country. Pepperstone offers variable spreads, which start from 0 pip on forex, making it a better option for scalping. However, Pepperstone charges commissions per lot traded, which can go up to $7. Forex.com charges commissions only on its commission account type. In terms of trading fees, both brokers offer competitive rates, and the choice between them depends on the trader’s preference.

Platforms

Forex.com offers a proprietary platform, available via web and mobile devices, along with MetaTrader 4 and 5, available via webtrader, desktop, and mobile. The proprietary platform is user-friendly and offers a wide range of charting, trading, and drawing tools, while MetaTrader 4 and 5 are popular platforms among traders. Pepperstone, on the other hand, does not offer proprietary platforms but offers MetaTrader 4 and 5, along with cTrader, available via webtrader, desktop, and mobile. All platforms offered by Pepperstone allow traders to engage in algo trading, and it also offers VPS services. In terms of platforms, both brokers offer excellent options, and the choice between them depends on the trader’s preference.

Education/Customer Care

Forex.com offers detailed guides and tutorials on both how to set up trades and technical analysis courses, making it a great option for beginners. It also offers easy-to-contact customer care via email, phone, and live chat, but only in English and Chinese. Pepperstone offers a good range of educational material, but it’s mostly for beginner traders. It also offers easy-to-contact customer care via email, telephone, and live chat, and over 12 languages are available. It has won the “Best Customer Service in Europe” award in 2019. In terms of education and customer care, Pepperstone offers more language options and has won an award for its customer service.

Conclusion

In summary, both Forex.com and Pepperstone are reliable and secure brokers, but they differ in various aspects. Forex.com has a wider range of markets and account types, while Pepperstone offers a wider range of base currencies and no minimum deposit. Pepperstone also offers copy trading and has lower spreads, but charges commissions per lot traded. Both brokers offer excellent trading platforms, but Pepperstone allows algo trading on all its platforms and offers VPS services. Finally, Forex.com offers more educational material, but Pepperstone has won an award for its customer service and offers more language options. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the trader’s preference and their specific needs.