Pepperstone vs Swissquote (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

Swissquote

Trust rank #5 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 1996

Swissquote provides forex and multi-asset trading through proprietary and third-party platforms, with research, education, and customer support. It is well-regarded for a broad product range, clear pricing, and tools suitable for different…

Read the Swissquote 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. Swissquote (Switzerland, founded 1996) holds 4 regulatory licences (CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA), 3 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 229 countries; Pepperstone is available in 0 countries where Swissquote is not, and Swissquote in 2 where Pepperstone is not.

Verdict at a glance

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

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 Swissquote: side-by-side data

CriteriaPepperstoneSwissquote
Editorial ratingNot verified10 / 10
Trust rank#10#5
Founded20101996
HeadquartersAustraliaSwitzerland
RegulatorsASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA, SCBCSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA
Broker typeECN, STPSTP
PlatformscTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingViewMT4, MT5, Proprietary
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)

Swissquote

  • FINMA-regulated Swiss bank; publicly listed (SIX)
  • Segregated client funds with Swiss deposit protection up to CHF 100,000
  • NDD/STP execution with multi-bank liquidity
  • MT4/MT5 and Advanced Trader; FIX API access
  • 80+ FX pairs plus CFDs and crypto

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

Swissquote

  • Higher spreads than many ECN brokers
  • High minimum deposit for tighter pricing tiers
  • No cTrader platform support
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Negative balance protection varies by entity

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

Swissquote

  • Swiss bank regulation FINMA and FCA oversight
  • Advanced Trader MT4 and MT5 platforms
  • Wide range of forex and CFD instruments
  • Deep liquidity and competitive spreads
  • Research and trading tools Trading Central and Autochartist
  • Secure client fund segregation and deposit protection

Country availability: Pepperstone vs Swissquote

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 Swissquote (2): Belgium, Spain.

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

Pepperstone vs Swissquote: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Pepperstone or Swissquote?

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

Which trading platforms do Pepperstone and Swissquote offer?

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

Which has lower fees, Pepperstone or Swissquote?

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 Swissquote?

Swissquote is the older of the two, founded in 1996; Pepperstone was founded in 2010.

Are Pepperstone and Swissquote available in the same countries?

They overlap in 229 countries. Pepperstone is additionally available in 0 countries () and Swissquote in 2 countries (Belgium, Spain).

Keep comparing

Pepperstone

Swissquote

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.