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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Trust rank #9 · Founded 1999
FXCM is a well-regarded forex broker that provides access to currency pairs on proprietary and third-party trading platforms, with market research, education, and risk management tools. It operates through regulated entities.
Read the FXCM review
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 reviewFXCM (United Kingdom, founded 1999) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView 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 225 countries; FXCM is available in 1 countries where Pepperstone is not, and Pepperstone in 4 where FXCM is not.
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.
| Criteria | FXCM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Trust rank | #9 | #10 |
| Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Australia |
| Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA | ASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA, SCB |
| Broker type | STP | ECN, STP |
| Platforms | MT4, Proprietary, TradingView | cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals |
| Countries accepted | 226 countries | 229 countries |
| Fee level | Low | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD Trading, Spot Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Professional Trading, Retail Trading | Copy 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.
Available at both (225): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, 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, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island and 185 more.
Only FXCM (1): Spain.
Only Pepperstone (4): Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
Pepperstone holds more regulatory licences: FXCM (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA) versus Pepperstone (ASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA, SCB). Tier-1 licences: FXCM 2, Pepperstone 3.
FXCM offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView; Pepperstone offers cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
FXCM is the older of the two, founded in 1999; Pepperstone was founded in 2010.
They overlap in 225 countries. FXCM is additionally available in 1 countries (Spain) and Pepperstone in 4 countries (Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan).
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.