Updated October 17, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Pepperstone vs XTB
Pepperstone
XTB
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | PepperstoneReviewVisitVisit | XTBReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | €0 |
| Stock trade fee | $0.020 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, MetalsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 79.6% | 77% |
| Platforms | TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, Pepperstone platform | XStation 5, XStation Mobile |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €10 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), FCA, KNF |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free deposits; free withdrawals above 100 EUR/USD |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:30 |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- XTB scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Markets: only Pepperstone offers Metals.
- Platforms: only Pepperstone offers TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only XTB offers XStation 5, XStation Mobile.
- Support channels: only Pepperstone offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only XTB offers Chat, Phone.
Our verdict on each
Pepperstone
Pepperstone is a contracts for difference broker. It can suit experienced readers, but for most household savers the product carries a high risk of losing money.
XTB
XTB suits beginners who want an account for shares, forex, CFDs and crypto without a monthly charge, and the cost side is thin: the account fee is €0 and the stock trade fee is €0. The catch is the inactivity fee of €10 and a currency conversion fee of 0.5%.
Score breakdown
| Area | Pepperstone | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9 | 9.2HigherAccount fee of €0 and stock trade fee of €0 lead, with an inactivity fee of €10 the offset. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 9.2 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.5 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Pepperstone | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 27 of 654 | 3 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 17 of 358 | 2 of 358 |
| Trading platforms | 12 of 24 | 2 of 24 |
| Forex brokers | 8 of 147 | 2 of 147 |
Pick Pepperstone if, pick XTB if
Pick Pepperstone if offer and markets matter most.
Pick XTB if cost matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | Pepperstone | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) MiCA CASP 259400HM2TR4U3LF5D43 |
| Poland | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Pepperstone | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | XTB Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Cyprus |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2002 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | Pepperstone | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Coins listed | Not confirmed | 45 |
| Fiat deposit methods | Not confirmed | Bank |
| Maker fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Withdrawal fee | Not confirmed | Free above 100 USD/EUR |
| Derivatives | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Exchange type | Not confirmed | Cex |
Savings
| Fact | Pepperstone | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | Not confirmed | 4% |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Variable |
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Access terms | Not confirmed | Interest on uninvested funds, calculated daily and paid monthly within five days of month end, no minimum or maximum balance, withdraw any amount to your bank account |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Account kind | Not confirmed | Easy access |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Pepperstone | XTB | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0at the median | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €10above the median | €2.45 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 79.6%highest quarter | 77%highest quarter | 72.21% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.4% |
Median across 77 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Pepperstone
Pros
- Two pricing styles, all in or commission based.
- The company itself adds nothing when money goes in or out.
- A practice account with virtual money before risking savings.
Cons
- Most retail clients lose money on these contracts, and borrowed exposure makes losses bigger.
- Positions held overnight pick up a funding adjustment that can cost you or credit you.
- Payouts can only go to a bank account or card under your own name.
XTB
Pros
- The account fee is €0 and the stock trade fee is €0, which places XTB at 1 of 166 brands on the share dealing charge.
- The minimum deposit is €0, putting XTB at 1 of 218 brands on the amount needed to start.
- Deposit protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000 and investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, both stated with figures rather than vague wording.
Cons
- The inactivity fee is €10, and at 39 of 56 brands on that measure XTB sits well outside the free group.
- A currency conversion fee of 0.5% applies even though the stock trade fee is €0, which bites on any US share held in a euro or sterling account.
- Retail leverage runs to 1:30 and 77% of retail accounts lose money, so free dealing does not mean free from risk.
Who each suits
Pepperstone
Who it suits
- Readers who already understand leverage and overnight charges.
- Readers comfortable with short term price swings.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone saving for a home, retirement or an emergency fund.
- Readers wanting a simple way to grow savings.
XTB
Who it suits
- Beginners new to investing, since the audience XTB is built for is beginners and the minimum deposit is €0.
- UK and EU customers who want stocks, etfs and forex behind a single login and who read FSCS up to GBP 85,000 before funding.
- People who want the same platform on desktop and phone, with xStation 5 and xStation Mobile both carrying the account.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not bunq, which asks for a minimum deposit of €10 where XTB opens at €0.
- Not CFI if the opening amount is your only guide, since its minimum deposit is also $0 and the real difference is markets and protection.
- Not Fiesta Credito MX, listed under CONDUSEF for credit rather than for trading stocks, etfs and forex.
Questions about each
Pepperstone
Is Pepperstone suitable for saving money?+
Not in the usual sense. Its products are leveraged contracts for difference aimed at active traders, not savings accounts or deposits. Most retail clients lose money with this provider, so money you need for bills, rent or a home deposit should stay in simpler, unleveraged products.
Will I pay a fee to add or remove money?+
Pepperstone adds nothing of its own when money moves in or out. Your bank or card provider may still charge separately, so check before moving funds. You can pay in and take money out by card, digital wallet or bank transfer.
XTB
What does it cost to hold an XTB account?+
The account fee is €0 and the monthly fee is £0, so there is no standing charge for keeping the account open. The recurring cost to watch is the inactivity fee of €10, which applies when an account is left unused. If you hold uninvested funds you also earn interest, calculated daily and paid monthly, with no minimum or maximum balance.
How much does it cost to buy shares on XTB?+
The stock trade fee is €0 and the account runs on a commission free and low fees model, so a share trade carries no commission. The charges that remain are the currency conversion fee of 0.5% when the trade currency and your account currency differ, and any spread built into the price. For an account holding US shares, that conversion fee is what turns a trade with a stock trade fee of €0 into a cost.
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