Pepperstone vs Plus500 (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

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

Plus500

Trust rank #3 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 2008

Plus500 is a regulated forex and CFD broker offering broad access to currency pairs and other markets on a proprietary web and mobile platform. It provides built-in charting, order types, and risk…

Read the Plus500 review

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. Plus500 (Israel, founded 2008) holds 11 regulatory licences (ASIC, CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA…), 6 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 229 countries; Pepperstone is available in 0 countries where Plus500 is not, and Plus500 in 2 where Pepperstone is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • Pepperstone leads on platform choice.
  • Plus500 leads on trust rank, track record, regulatory coverage, 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.

Pepperstone vs Plus500: side-by-side data

CriteriaPepperstonePlus500
Editorial ratingNot verified10 / 10
Trust rank#10#3
Founded20102008
HeadquartersAustraliaIsrael
RegulatorsASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA, SCBASIC, CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FMA, FSA Seychelles, FSCA, ISA, MAS, NFA
Broker typeECN, STPMarket Maker
PlatformscTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingViewProprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted229 countries231 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail TradingProfessional 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

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)

Plus500

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation and segregated client funds
  • Commission-free FX trading with competitive spreads
  • Negative balance protection and advanced risk tools
  • Intuitive WebTrader and mobile apps
  • Broad FX pair selection

Cons

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

Plus500

  • Market-maker execution (no ECN/STP/DMA)
  • Proprietary platform only (no MetaTrader/cTrader)
  • No algorithmic/API trading support
  • No commission-based raw-spread accounts
  • Inactivity fee after inactivity

Key features

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

Plus500

  • Multi asset CFD trading Forex Indices Commodities Shares ETFs Options and Crypto
  • Proprietary WebTrader platform on web and mobile advanced charting alerts and sentiment
  • Top tier regulation segregated client funds and FTSE 250 listed parent company
  • Risk management Guaranteed Stop Orders Trailing Stops and Negative Balance Protection
  • Commission free spread only pricing with overnight funding and conversion fees
  • Free unlimited demo account and 24 7 multilingual support

Country availability: Pepperstone vs Plus500

Available at both (229): 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, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China and 189 more.

Only Plus500 (2): Spain, United States of America.

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

Pepperstone vs Plus500: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Pepperstone or Plus500?

Plus500 holds more regulatory licences: Pepperstone (ASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA, SCB) versus Plus500 (ASIC, CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FMA, FSA Seychelles, FSCA, ISA, MAS, NFA). Tier-1 licences: Pepperstone 3, Plus500 6.

Which trading platforms do Pepperstone and Plus500 offer?

Pepperstone offers cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView; Plus500 offers Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, Pepperstone or Plus500?

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

Which is older, Pepperstone or Plus500?

Plus500 is the older of the two, founded in 2008; Pepperstone was founded in 2010.

Are Pepperstone and Plus500 available in the same countries?

They overlap in 229 countries. Pepperstone is additionally available in 0 countries () and Plus500 in 2 countries (Spain, United States of America).

Keep comparing

Pepperstone

Plus500

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.