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IC Markets
VS
Pepperstone

IC Markets vs Pepperstone: which broker is better in 2026?

We compare IC Markets and Pepperstone — two forex & CFD brokers — side by side across regulation, fees, platforms, minimum deposit, and our editorial scores. Based on our overall editorial score, Pepperstone edges ahead (4.3/5), but the right choice depends on what matters most to you — check the breakdown below.

Side-by-side comparison

CriteriaIC MarketsPepperstone
Overall score 4.1 4.3
Regulation & safety 3.5 4.5
Fees & deposit 4.5 4.0
Platform & assets 4.5 4.5
User support 4.0 4.0
Trust score80/10087/100
Minimum depositVaries by account type — check the official siteVaries by account type — check the official site
Demo accountAvailableAvailable
PlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Mobile AppMetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView (integrated)
Fee modelSeveral account types (Raw Spread, Standard, Raw Pro/Pro+, cTrader Raw Spread, Swap Free) — the fee structure per account type has not been verified in detailSpread & commission model varies per account type — details not yet verified

Pros & cons

IC Markets
  • One of the most popular raw-spread ECN brokers for scalping/algo trading (very low costs)
  • Very complete platform selection (MT4/MT5/cTrader/TradingView)
  • Regulated by ASIC (Australia) + CySEC for certain entities
  • A class-action record (reported since 2024) alleging it misled investors — no verdict yet, but a relevant public fact
  • Many clients via offshore entities (Seychelles/Bahamas)
  • Leverage is high-risk
Pepperstone
  • Well-documented multi-jurisdiction regulation (ASIC, FCA, BaFin, CySEC, DFSA, SCB) with no negative regulator action found
  • Full platform selection: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and integrated TradingView
  • Known for a low-cost focus & fast execution — popular for scalping/algo trading
  • Forex/CFD focus — not for those seeking real stocks or long-term investing
  • Private company (not public), financial transparency more limited than listed brokers
  • Leveraged trading remains high-risk even with a solid broker

Regulation at a glance

IC Markets

Exact license numbers not yet verified — the official site mentions multi-regulation but the detailed regulation page was inaccessible during our check. Verify directly with the regulator (ASIC, CySEC, or the Seychelles FSA depending on the entity) before signing up.

Pepperstone

Well-documented, layered regulation: ASIC (Australia) license since February 2013, FCA (UK) since 2015, BaFin (Germany) and CySEC (Cyprus) since around 2020, DFSA (UAE), and SCB (Bahamas). One of the brokers with the most documented regulatory footprint in this directory.