Pepperstone vs ThinkMarkets (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

ThinkMarkets

Trust rank #20 · Founded 2010

ThinkMarkets is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad market access via MetaTrader and its proprietary ThinkTrader platform. It provides research, education, and risk management tools to support analysis and platform…

Read the ThinkMarkets 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. ThinkMarkets (Australia, founded 2010) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 199 countries; Pepperstone is available in 30 countries where ThinkMarkets is not, and ThinkMarkets in 0 where Pepperstone is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • Pepperstone leads on trust rank, regulatory coverage, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on track record, 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 ThinkMarkets: side-by-side data

CriteriaPepperstoneThinkMarkets
Trust rank#10#20
Founded20102010
HeadquartersAustraliaAustralia
RegulatorsASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA, SCBASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Broker typeECN, STPECN, STP
PlatformscTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingViewMT4, MT5, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted229 countries199 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot 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

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)

ThinkMarkets

  • FCA & ASIC regulation
  • MT4/MT5 and ThinkTrader platforms
  • Raw-spread ThinkZero; commission-free Standard
  • Negative balance protection; segregated funds
  • Hedging, scalping, EAs allowed; high leverage options

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

ThinkMarkets

  • - Offshore entity for many clients with weaker investor protections
  • - No guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLO)
  • - Not available to U.S. residents
  • - No cTrader platform support
  • - CFDs only (no physical shares/ETFs)

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

ThinkMarkets

  • Multi Asset CFD Trading Forex Indices Commodities Shares
  • MT4 MT5 and ThinkTrader Platforms
  • Multi Jurisdiction Regulation ASIC FCA FSCA FSA and Segregated Client Funds
  • Negative Balance Protection
  • Standard and ThinkZero Raw Spread Accounts
  • VPS Hosting and Algorithmic EA Support

Country availability: Pepperstone vs ThinkMarkets

Available at both (199): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros and 159 more.

Only Pepperstone (30): Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and 5 more.

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

Pepperstone vs ThinkMarkets: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Pepperstone or ThinkMarkets?

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

Which trading platforms do Pepperstone and ThinkMarkets offer?

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

Which has lower fees, Pepperstone or ThinkMarkets?

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 ThinkMarkets?

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

Are Pepperstone and ThinkMarkets available in the same countries?

They overlap in 199 countries. Pepperstone is additionally available in 30 countries (Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus and 24 more) and ThinkMarkets in 0 countries ().

Keep comparing

Pepperstone

ThinkMarkets

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.