Pepperstone Review

Pepperstone is a leading forex and CFD broker. Based in Australia and ASIC regulated, this brokerage review details spreads and minimum deposit requirements, trading platform ratings, mobile apps, withdrawals, login security, and more. Find out whether to open a Pepperstone trading account.

History & Overview

Based in Australia, Pepperstone Limited was established in 2010. Since then it has grown exponentially and is now one of the largest forex and CFD brokers in the world. The brand is also highly regarded by experienced investors and industry professionals.

Pepperstone opened a City of London base in 2016 and has many European clients, trading per the regulatory principles set down by the European Securities and Markets Authority, BaFin and the Financial Conduct Authority. The online brokerage is also regulated in Dubai and Kenya covering the Middle East and African markets.

The company’s stated mission is to provide institutional-grade trading to the online forex investor. Read on to find out if they have succeeded.

Pepperstone Trading Platforms

One area in which Pepperstone excels is its commitment to providing technology that suits each individual trader, and this is most apparent in its multitude of platforms.

The broker offers MT4, MT5 and cTrader, alongside a variety of tools to help investors. Not only does this enable traders to pick the most appropriate platform based on features, navigation, ease of opening and closing trades etc, but a handy guide is also provided that allows for a simple side-by-side comparison.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

The most popular trading platform in the world, clients can customize the way they trade, build and run EAs (Expert Advisors) using the programming language MQL4, utilize Autochartist to find high-probability investments, get access to Smart Trader Tools, and make use of over 100 pre-installed indicators.

MT4 will meet the needs of beginners through to experienced traders. The selection of technical and fundamental analysis tools, alongside the range of instant and pending orders, means the platform lends itself to various popular day trading strategies, plus longer-term investment systems.

Clients can download the MetaTrader 4 platform directly from the Pepperstone website once a live account has been created.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

MT5 has all the features of its predecessor, plus greater functionality. Investors can easily buy and sell CFDs, code with the help of MQL5 and make use of the advanced customization features, fast processing and 38 built-in indicators.

Other advantages include the ability to hedge, access to a built-in economic calendar, advanced pending orders, compatibility with Autochartist and Smart Trader Tools, 21 timeframes and an expanded maximum of 500 total orders.

cTrader

This platform is perfect for investors who wish to replicate the institutional trading environment. Traders can control slippage and order fills, access FIX API, use C# to code in cTrader Automate and watch comprehensive educational videos within the platform.

cTrader can be downloaded on Windows, but not macOS. Alternatively, customers can use the web application which is available for both cTrader and MT5.

Markets

Clients can trade on several global markets:

• Forex – 60+ currency pairs
• Indices – 23 international indexes
• Cryptocurrency – 20 coins and crypto indices
• Currency indices – US Dollar, Euro and Japanese Yen
• ETFs – 100+ variations across 35 countries and 6 continents
• Shares – 900+ top companies from the US, UK, Germany and Australia
• CFDs – available on a multitude of instruments with max 1:30 leverage for retail clients
• Commodities – 30+ metals including gold and silver, energies and soft commodities

Clients can also engage in spread betting across major financial markets, including UK shares. Profits from spread betting are tax and commission-free (UK and Ireland clients don’t pay stamp duty). Traders also benefit from the ability to go long or short on multiple positions.

Fees

Spreads on Pepperstone’s popular MetaTrader 4 platform are variable, with quotes sourced from a multitude of major banks and electronic crossing networks.

This is a good indication of the company’s commitment to offering clients the best prices possible, and during liquid times, the broker has been known to drop spreads to as little as 0.0 pips on their EUR/USD pair.

The same minimum spread value can be seen for many other AUD and EUR combination pairings, and the company’s website has a handy chart detailing both minimum and average spread values for each of the currency pairs they offer, as well as a rundown of their (minimal) commission charges and estimated upfront costs.

Leverage Review

Pepperstone varies the amount of leverage on offer depending on whether you qualify as a professional or retail client. Regulatory jurisdiction will also impact leverage and margin rules.

In Europe, Australia and Dubai, leverage is capped at 1:30 and varies by asset. In other markets, and for Pro accounts, leverage can reach 1:500.

Mobile App Rating

Pepperstone offers three iPhone and Android compatible apps, one for each trading platform: MT4, MT5 and cTrader.

They provide users with access to the broker’s advanced forex trading technology on the go. Each application can be downloaded from the official website, the Google Play Store or the Apple Store. Mobile traders can also manage their accounts, make payments, request withdrawals, and make use of any bonuses and promotions.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Traders open accounts and deposit funds in several base currencies, from US Dollars through to Pound Sterling, Euros, and the Swiss Franc.

Money can be transferred via a variety of different mediums, including Verified by Visa, MasterCard Secure Code, credit/debit card, PayPal and broker to broker.

In terms of withdrawals, requests are made via the Secure Client Area and take 1-3 days to process. However, deposits are immediate, with only bank wires taking up to 3 working days.

The company itself does not charge any internal fees for either deposits or withdrawals, although should any external transfer fees occur, these are the responsibility of the client.

Note that e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller are not accepted.

Pepperstone Demo Account

A 30-day practice trading account is available to anyone wishing to trial a potential partnership with the company; $50,000 of virtual funds are included.

Those who would like to get a feel for the technology and overall offerings are treated to a choice of two different platforms: MetaTrader 4 or cTrader.

Clients can register for a free practice account on the broker’s website. A short registration form needs to be submitted.

Bonuses & Rebates

Pepperstone is renowned for its low spread, fast execution, and competitive trading environment, so it tends not to offer any significant deals or promotions for retail clients. This is also in line with regulatory requirements.

Professional investors, however, can benefit from a rebates program that gives cash discounts on spreads depending on the amount invested each month.

There is also an array of free educational resources for all its clients, from trading guides to in-depth investing webinars.

Regulation Review

Pepperstone is a safe bet for those in search of a properly licensed and regulated enterprise.

The brokerage prides itself on a culture of compliance and is governed by top-tier regulators from across the globe, including the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) also awarded the firm a license, providing additional protection for investors in the UAE.

Pepperstone Market Kenya Ltd was given a Capital Markets Authority (CMA) license to operate across Africa in 2020. Pepperstone GmbH is also licensed by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and is regulated in Mauritius.

Repeatedly recognized for excellence in innovation, technology, and customer service, the company is an award-winning broker 50 times over, and is arguably one of the most reputable investment outfits trading today.

Additional Features

As part of its comprehensive offering, Pepperstone gives traders many additional features alongside its high-tech platform and low-cost pricing. These include not only a multitude of educational materials, ranging from webinars to trading guides, but also a frequently updated market review section, an economic calendar, and specialist technical analysis software called Autochartist, which helps users to make informed trading decisions.

In addition, investors can automate their positions with Pepperstone API or Capitalise.ai and make use of the VPS service. Copy and social trading are possible with the help of DupliTrade, a platform that allows novices to copy the positions of experienced traders.

Pepperstone has also partnered up with TradingView, a leading social investing community and charting platform. With advanced analysis tools alongside interactive charting features, it’s a great option for beginners and established traders alike.

Account Types

If you are wondering how to choose between the Pepperstone Standard vs Razor live accounts, here are the key benefits:

• Swap-free account: Interest-free, $0 commission and ECN/STP spreads
• Standard account: $0 commission and institutional grade ECN/STP spreads
• Razor account: Spreads from 0.0 pips. This option is best suited to scalpers and algorithmic traders
• Active traders account: Spreads from 0.0 pips and a setup specially formulated for professional high volume and institutional traders

From the company’s commission-free basic account through to their zero spread active traders option, interbank pricing, cutting-edge technology, and deep liquidity that is included as standard, there isn’t really a bad option.

Benefits

The company goes to great lengths to understand what traders want, and as a result, its services are low cost, reliable and convenient, with clients offered a variety of platforms to make certain their needs are met.

In addition, the trading conditions the firm has created are excellent, with liquidity and spreads that are usually available to only an elite class of institutional clients. This means that even retail traders have access to potentially profitable opportunities.

The technology on offer is also of the highest caliber, ensuring that trading with Pepperstone is fast, reliable and efficient. Its integration with TradingView adds another layer of sophisticated trading tools with top-tier access to market data and insights.

The result is that the company has won numerous awards for client satisfaction, making them an ideal choice for those looking for an optimal brokerage experience.

Drawbacks

Although hard to fault this online broker, there are a few drawbacks:

• No promotions for retail traders
• Limited cryptocurrency selection
• E-wallets outside of PayPal are not accepted

Pepperstone Trading Hours

Open around the clock, Pepperstone also provides 24/7 online and phone support to clients who require it.

Holidays and asset-specific market hours can be found on the official website.

Contacting Support

Pepperstone is committed to offering an accessible customer experience, and it can be contacted in several different ways.

Firstly, it has offices in London, Melbourne, Germany, Cyprus, Kenya, Bahamas and Dubai. And two of the most popular locations can be reached using the following details:

London Office (Pepperstone Limited)
70 Gracechurch Street
London EC3V 0XL
United Kingdom

Melbourne Office (Pepperstone Group Limited)
Pepperstone Group Limited
Level 16, Tower One
727 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3008
https://www.pepperstone.com.au

24-hour online support is available. You can send an email to support@pepperstone.com or use the toll-free phone number +44 (800) 0465473. However, the live chat function has been disabled.

If you have issues with client login, is best to use the methods listed above to get in touch with the team.

Safety

Pepperstone prides itself on adhering to a culture of strong regulation and compliance, and this extends to its online presence. Multiple global licenses ensure full regulatory oversight across Australia, Africa, Europe and beyond.

The broker also offers clients a safe and secure website to use, with industry-leading security protocols. A quick glance instantly reveals its ‘https’ designation, and logins are fully password protected, with adequate data protection systems in place to safeguard sensitive client information.

Pepperstone Verdict

Popular, rapidly expanding, and highly respected within the industry, Pepperstone has earned its place as one of the foremost forex and CFD brokers in the world.

Providing state-of-the-art technology, great customer service, and a user-friendly interface, it’s undoubtedly an attractive option for those looking to enter the financial markets, with potential clients unlikely to be disappointed.

Accepted Countries

Pepperstone do not accept traders from:

Afghanistan, American Samoa, Antarctica, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Côte d’Ivoire, Eritrea, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Martinique, Mayotte, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Korea, Palestine, State of, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Somalia, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, South Sudan, Sudan (North), Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Virgin Islands (U.S.), Western Sahara, Yemen, Zimbabwe.