eToro vs Pepperstone (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

eToro

Trust rank #8 · Founded 2007

eToro is a well‐regarded forex broker and multi‐asset platform offering broad access to currency markets via web and mobile trading. It provides social trading features, research, and education within an integrated interface…

Read the eToro review

Pepperstone

Trust rank #10 · Founded 2010

Pepperstone is a well-regarded forex broker offering access to forex and CFD markets through multiple trading platforms, with tools for analysis and risk management.

Read the Pepperstone review

eToro (Israel, founded 2007) holds 3 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. Pepperstone (Australia, founded 2010) holds 8 regulatory licences (ASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA…), 3 of them tier-1, offers cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 214 countries; eToro is available in 3 countries where Pepperstone is not, and Pepperstone in 15 where eToro is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • eToro leads on trust rank and track record.
  • Pepperstone leads on regulatory coverage, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on instrument range and fee level.

Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

eToro vs Pepperstone: side-by-side data

CriteriaeToroPepperstone
Trust rank#8#10
Founded20072010
HeadquartersIsraelAustralia
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCAASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA, SCB
Broker typeMarket MakerECN, STP
PlatformsProprietarycTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted217 countries229 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail TradingCopy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

eToro

  • Tier-1 regulation (FCA/ASIC/CySEC)
  • Negative balance protection
  • Built-in social/copy trading
  • Multi-asset CFD account
  • Spread-only FX pricing

Pepperstone

  • Raw spreads from 0.0 pips + low commissions
  • Ultra-low-latency market execution, deep liquidity
  • NDD/STP model with scalping, hedging, and EAs allowed
  • MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and API support
  • Top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC)

Cons

eToro

  • Higher spreads than ECN/STP brokers
  • No MT4/MT5 or third-party platform support
  • Market-maker execution (not true ECN/STP)
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Withdrawal and currency conversion fees

Pepperstone

  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Negative balance protection limited to EU/UK retail clients
  • Not available to U.S. residents
  • CFDs-only offering (no real stocks/ETFs)
  • No proprietary trading platform

Key features

eToro

  • CFD forex trading on majors minors and exotics
  • Regulated by FCA CySEC and ASIC with segregated client funds
  • Social copy trading CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios
  • Proprietary web and mobile platform with ProCharts and economic calendar
  • Risk management orders stop loss take profit and negative balance protection
  • Two factor authentication and KYC AML security controls

Pepperstone

  • Agency model no dealing desk market execution
  • Razor raw spreads and Standard pricing
  • MT4 MT5 cTrader and TradingView platforms
  • Advanced tools Autochartist Smart Trader Tools cTrader Automate and VPS
  • Tier 1 regulation and segregated client funds ASIC FCA CySEC DFSA BaFin
  • Wide range of CFDs forex indices commodities shares and crypto where permitted

Country availability: eToro vs Pepperstone

Available at both (214): Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros and 174 more.

Only eToro (3): Belgium, Spain, United States of America.

Only Pepperstone (15): Afghanistan, American Samoa, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Ethiopia, Guam, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Nicaragua, Somalia, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

eToro vs Pepperstone: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, eToro or Pepperstone?

Pepperstone holds more regulatory licences: eToro (ASIC, CySEC, FCA) versus Pepperstone (ASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA, SCB). Tier-1 licences: eToro 2, Pepperstone 3.

Which trading platforms do eToro and Pepperstone offer?

eToro offers Proprietary; Pepperstone offers cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView.

Which has lower fees, eToro or Pepperstone?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, eToro or Pepperstone?

eToro is the older of the two, founded in 2007; Pepperstone was founded in 2010.

Are eToro and Pepperstone available in the same countries?

They overlap in 214 countries. eToro is additionally available in 3 countries (Belgium, Spain, United States of America) and Pepperstone in 15 countries (Afghanistan, American Samoa, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Ethiopia and 9 more).

Keep comparing

eToro

Pepperstone

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.