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IC Markets vs Pepperstone 2026
A detailed head-to-head comparison of IC Markets and Pepperstone across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and more.
Score Breakdown
Category-by-Category Winner
Detailed Comparison
Overview
Trading Costs
Platforms & Features
Instruments
IC Markets vs Pepperstone: Our Analysis
Overall Verdict
With an overall score of 88.6/100 vs 84.2/100, Pepperstone slightly edges out IC Markets by 4.4 points. Both brokers are closely matched, so your choice should come down to specific features that matter most to you.
Trading Costs
On the EUR/USD pair, IC Markets offers an average spread of 0.10 pips with a $6.00 round-turn commission, while Pepperstone comes in at 0.10 pips with a $7.00 commission. Both brokers offer identical EUR/USD spreads. Minimum deposit is $200 at IC Markets and $0 at Pepperstone.
Regulation & Safety
IC Markets holds 5 regulatory licenses with a highest tier of Tier 1 (ASIC, CySEC, CMA), while Pepperstone has 6 licenses at Tier 1 (FCA, ASIC, DFSA). Pepperstone has more regulatory licenses overall.
Platform Comparison
Both IC Markets and Pepperstone offer the same platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView. Your choice here comes down to execution quality, spreads, and account conditions rather than platform availability.
Who Should Choose Which?
IC Markets suits cost-conscious traders, traders wanting a wide instrument range, while Pepperstone is better for beginners seeking education, traders who want advanced tools, traders who prioritize safety. Both brokers offer demo accounts, so you can test each before committing real funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our testing, Pepperstone scores higher overall at 88.6/100 compared to IC Markets's 84.2/100. However, "better" depends on your priorities — IC Markets may be superior in specific categories like trading costs.
Both brokers offer identical EUR/USD average spreads of 0.10 pips. Compare their GBP/USD and USD/JPY spreads in the detailed table above to spot differences.
Pepperstone scores higher for regulation and trust at 90/100, holding licenses from FCA, ASIC, DFSA. IC Markets scores 82/100 with ASIC, CySEC, CMA.
For beginners, Pepperstone is the stronger choice with an education and research score of 75/100. It offers structured trading courses, webinars, and a free demo account. IC Markets scores 62/100 for education.
Yes, there is no restriction on having accounts with both IC Markets and Pepperstone simultaneously. Many experienced traders maintain accounts with multiple brokers to take advantage of each broker's strengths — for example, using one for its lower spreads on majors and another for its wider instrument range or better platform features.
Reviewed by
Neil CNeil C is a financial markets analyst and forex trading specialist with over 10 years of experience evaluating broker platforms, trading conditions, and regulatory frameworks. He has personally tested accounts with dozens of brokers and brings a data-driven methodology to every review.
Last updated: April 2026