P
Pepperstone
4.1 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A globally regulated, multi-asset powerhouse built for serious forex and CFD traders.
- Min deposit
- $200
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, FCA, CySEC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 10/12/2026
Pepperstone vs EasyEquities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Pepperstone and EasyEquities serve very different trading audiences, one built for active forex and CFD traders, the other for low-cost stock investing beginners. Our independent research gives Pepperstone a 4.1/5 rating versus EasyEquities's 3.2/5, driven largely by stronger regulation and tighter trading costs.
E
EasyEquities
3.2 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A zero-minimum-deposit investing platform built for first-time stock and ETF buyers.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FSCA
Overall Winner
Pepperstone
Best for Beginners
EasyEquities
Lowest Fees
Pepperstone
Top Regulation
Pepperstone
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | P Pepperstone | E EasyEquities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 2010 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Regulation | ASIC, FCA, CySEC | FSCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $3.5/lot | $0.25/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, Proprietary Mobile | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, Commodities | Stocks, Etf, Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Pepperstone
$200
EasyEquities
$0
Spreads From
Pepperstone
0 pips
EasyEquities
0 pips
Commission
Pepperstone
$3.5/lot
EasyEquities
$0.25/lot
Deposit Fees
Pepperstone
None
EasyEquities
None
Withdrawal Fees
Pepperstone
None
EasyEquities
None
Pros & cons
P
Pepperstone
Pros
- Holds licences from three respected regulators, including ASIC and FCA
- Supports industry-leading platforms like MT4, MT5, and TradingView
- Offers leverage up to 1:500 for flexible position sizing
- Covers six distinct market categories for diversified trading
- Charges zero fees on deposits and withdrawals
- Higher overall independent rating at 4.1 out of 5
- Long operating track record since 2010
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $200 is higher than many beginner-focused platforms
- Commission of $3.5 per lot is steeper than EasyEquities's rate
- High leverage up to 1:500 increases risk for inexperienced traders
- No dedicated proprietary web platform for casual investors
E
EasyEquities
Pros
- No minimum deposit makes investing accessible to everyone
- Low commission rate of just $0.25 per lot
- Simple, beginner-friendly proprietary platforms
- No fees charged on deposits or withdrawals
- Straightforward account setup for new investors
- Focused asset selection reduces decision complexity for beginners
Cons
- Regulated by only a single authority, the FSCA
- Leverage capped at 1:1, limiting strategies for active traders
- No support for MT4, MT5, or TradingView platforms
- Narrower market range with only Stocks, ETFs, and Crypto
- Lower overall independent rating at 3.2 out of 5
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Pepperstone
Lowest fees Pepperstone
Best regulation Pepperstone
Better for beginners EasyEquities
Pepperstone is our overall winner in this matchup, scoring 4.1/5 against EasyEquities's 3.2/5 on our proprietary rating scale. Pepperstone's multi-tier-1 regulatory coverage (ASIC, FCA, CySEC), broader market access, and professional-grade platforms like MT4, MT5, and TradingView make it the stronger choice for most active traders. EasyEquities still earns a place at the table for absolute beginners thanks to its $0 minimum deposit, but it cannot match Pepperstone's depth, leverage, or regulatory robustness.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is one of the clearest differentiators in this comparison. Pepperstone is licensed by three respected regulators, including the ASIC in Australia, the FCA in the United Kingdom, and CySEC in Cyprus, giving traders multi-jurisdictional protection and oversight.
EasyEquities, by contrast, is regulated solely by the FSCA in South Africa. While the FSCA is a legitimate regulator, it does not carry the same global tier-1 weight as ASIC or FCA, which may matter to traders prioritizing fund segregation standards and dispute resolution frameworks common in Europe or Australia.
For traders who place safety and regulatory depth at the top of their checklist, Pepperstone is the clear winner in this category. EasyEquities remains compliant and credible within its home region, but its single-regulator structure is comparatively thinner.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, so headline pricing looks similar on paper. The real difference emerges in commission structure: Pepperstone charges $3.5 per lot, while EasyEquities charges a much lower $0.25 per lot.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome point of parity for cost-conscious traders on both sides.
However, raw commission numbers don't tell the whole story since the two brokers serve different markets. Pepperstone's pricing is tailored to high-volume forex and CFD trading, while EasyEquities's lower per-lot cost reflects its focus on long-term stock and ETF investing rather than frequent leveraged trades.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
EasyEquities has a distinct edge for beginners and cost-sensitive investors with its $0 minimum deposit, allowing virtually anyone to open an account and start investing immediately.
Pepperstone requires a $200 minimum deposit, which is still moderate by industry standards but represents a real barrier compared to EasyEquities's zero-dollar entry point.
If your priority is getting started with minimal upfront capital, EasyEquities is unquestionably the more accessible platform of the two.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Pepperstone offers a significantly more robust platform suite, supporting MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, and its own proprietary mobile app. This gives traders access to advanced charting, automated strategies, and custom indicators.
EasyEquities operates on a proprietary web platform and a proprietary mobile app only. These tools are designed to be simple and intuitive, which suits new investors but limits functionality for active traders wanting algorithmic tools or advanced order types.
Traders who rely on technical analysis, expert advisors, or multi-device syncing will find Pepperstone's platform ecosystem far more capable and future-proof.
Market Range & Leverage
Pepperstone supports six market categories: Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, and Commodities, with leverage up to 1:500. This breadth makes it suitable for diversified trading strategies across asset classes.
EasyEquities is narrower in scope, covering Stocks, ETFs, and Crypto, with leverage capped at 1:1, reflecting its cash-account, investment-first philosophy rather than leveraged speculation.
Traders seeking leveraged forex or CFD exposure will need Pepperstone, while long-term investors who prefer unleveraged equity and ETF positions may find EasyEquities's simplicity appealing.
Our Verdict
Weighing regulation, platform depth, market range, and overall rating, Pepperstone is the stronger all-around broker, earning our recommendation as the best overall pick in this comparison.
EasyEquities carves out a legitimate niche for beginners and small-capital investors who value a zero minimum deposit and straightforward stock investing experience.
Ultimately, your choice should hinge on your trading style: active, leveraged, multi-asset traders should lean Pepperstone, while first-time investors starting small may prefer EasyEquities.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Pepperstone wins overall
Pepperstone edges out EasyEquities overall based on our expert rating score.
P
Highest Rated
Pepperstone
4.1 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (4.1/5).
PepperstoneBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
EasyEquitiesLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
PepperstoneStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Pepperstone
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, Pepperstone outperforms EasyEquities overall, scoring 4.1 out of 5 compared to EasyEquities's 3.2 out of 5. Pepperstone's advantage comes primarily from stronger regulation, broader market access, and a more advanced platform suite. That said, EasyEquities remains a solid pick for beginners who prioritize a zero-dollar entry point over advanced trading features.
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, but their commission structures differ meaningfully. Pepperstone charges $3.5 per lot, which reflects its focus on active forex and CFD trading, while EasyEquities charges just $0.25 per lot, suited to its stock and ETF investing model. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, so overall cost comparisons should factor in your intended trading frequency and asset class.
Pepperstone requires a minimum deposit of $200 to open an account, while EasyEquities requires no minimum deposit at all. This makes EasyEquities noticeably more accessible for beginners or those wanting to test the platform with minimal upfront commitment.
Pepperstone offers broader regulatory coverage, holding licences from ASIC, FCA, and CySEC, three respected regulatory bodies spanning multiple jurisdictions. EasyEquities is regulated solely by the FSCA in South Africa. For traders prioritizing multi-jurisdictional oversight and fund protection standards, Pepperstone presents the stronger regulatory profile.
Pepperstone supports a wide range of platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and its own proprietary mobile app, catering to traders who want advanced charting and automation tools. EasyEquities offers only a proprietary web platform and proprietary mobile app, which are simpler but lack support for third-party trading software.
Yes, there is nothing stopping you from maintaining accounts with both brokers simultaneously. Many traders choose to diversify across platforms, using Pepperstone for leveraged forex and CFD trading while using EasyEquities for longer-term stock and ETF investing.
Pepperstone supports six market categories, including Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, and Commodities, giving traders substantial diversification options. EasyEquities covers only Stocks, ETFs, and Crypto, reflecting its narrower investment-focused approach rather than active multi-asset trading.
Pepperstone offers leverage up to 1:500, appealing to experienced traders looking to amplify position sizes on forex and CFD trades. EasyEquities caps leverage at 1:1, meaning all positions are fully cash-backed, which suits conservative, long-term investors but limits flexibility for active traders.
EasyEquities is generally the better starting point for complete beginners, thanks to its $0 minimum deposit, simplified proprietary platforms, and focus on straightforward stock and ETF investing. Pepperstone, while still usable by newer traders, is better suited to those who already have some familiarity with leveraged forex and CFD trading.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.