Interactive Brokers vs Pepperstone 2026: which is better?
We compared Interactive Brokers and Pepperstone on licences, deposits, platforms and accounts. The better choice depends on what you need; these are the main differences.
Key differences
- Interactive Brokers holds 10 licences from strong regulators, against 4 for Pepperstone.
- Pepperstone offers a swap-free Islamic account; Interactive Brokers does not.
- Pepperstone offers copy trading; Interactive Brokers does not.
- Pepperstone offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, which Interactive Brokers does not.
Comparison table
| Comparison table |
Interactive Brokers
Broker
|
Pepperstone
Broker
|
|---|---|---|
| Licences | FCA, ASIC, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS Best | FCA, ASIC, DFSA, BaFin, CySEC, CMA, CMA (KE), SCB |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:30 | 1:400 |
| Trading platforms | Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, Web Trader, Mobile App, TradingView | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Web Trader, Mobile App |
| Markets | Forex, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities and Gold, Indices, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | Forex, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities and Gold, Indices, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) |
| Islamic account | — | ✓ Yes |
| Demo account | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Copy trading | — | ✓ Yes |
| Founded | 1977 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Greenwich, United States | Melbourne, Australia |
| Read the review | Read the review |
Data is for information only and may change; always check the official website before opening an account.
Add a third broker to the comparison
Choose Interactive Brokers if you
- want more licences from strong regulators
Choose Pepperstone if you
- need a swap-free Islamic account
- want to copy other traders
- use MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Interactive Brokers or Pepperstone?
We compared Interactive Brokers and Pepperstone on licences, deposits, platforms and accounts. The better choice depends on what you need; these are the main differences. Interactive Brokers holds 10 licences from strong regulators, against 4 for Pepperstone. Pepperstone offers a swap-free Islamic account; Interactive Brokers does not. The best choice depends on your country and trading style, so check which licence your account will be opened under.
Are Interactive Brokers and Pepperstone regulated?
Interactive Brokers licences: FCA, ASIC, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS. Pepperstone licences: FCA, CySEC, ASIC, DFSA, SCB, CMA, CMA (KE), BaFin.
What is the minimum deposit at Interactive Brokers and Pepperstone?
Interactive Brokers: $0. Pepperstone: $0.
Do Interactive Brokers and Pepperstone offer an Islamic account?
Interactive Brokers: No. Pepperstone: Yes.