Quick verdict
- IG — broadest market range, long history, strong proprietary platform.
- Pepperstone — raw spreads and the widest choice of third-party platforms.
Side-by-side
| IG | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|
| UK regulation | FCA, FRN 195355 / 114059 | FCA, FRN 684312 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2010 |
| EUR/USD | From 0.6, no commission | Razor from 0.0 + commission; Standard ~0.75 |
| Minimum deposit | £0 bank transfer | None |
| Platforms | IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, Pepperstone platform |
| Spread betting | Yes | Yes |
| Share dealing | Yes (separate entity) | No |
| Retail loss rate | 70% | 72.9% |
Who should choose which?
- Multi-asset trader or investor: IG
- Active forex trader: Pepperstone
- cTrader/MT5 user: Pepperstone
- ProRealTime user: IG
Prefer MT4 with a raw-spread account and a group with more than 30 years' history? See our top pick, Hantec Markets.
Frequently asked questions
Is IG or Pepperstone better for spread betting?
Both offer it. IG has the larger market range; Pepperstone lets you spread bet on MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
Which has lower forex costs?
For active traders, Pepperstone's Razor account is usually cheaper than IG's commission-free spreads.
CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products. You should consider whether you understand how they work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.