Plain Investor
Head to head · scores as of September 2026

eToro vs Pepperstone: Which Broker Suits You?

eToro scores 3.6 and Pepperstone 3.6 out of 5 on our published methodology. eToro leads on Asset Range; Pepperstone leads on Costs & Fees, and they tie on Platform & Tools, Regulation & Trust and Account Access & Support. Both accept clients in the UK, the EU and other countries.

Level on overall score

eToro

3.6/5

Best for: Social & copy trading

Read the full eToro review →

Level on overall score

Pepperstone

3.6/5

Best for: Forex & CFD trading

Read the full Pepperstone review →

Score by score

eToroPepperstone
3
Costs & Fees
4
4
Platform & Tools
4
4
Regulation & Trust
4
3
Asset Range
2
4
Account Access & Support
4
4
Ease of use for a beginner
2

Each category is scored 1–5 using our published methodology. The overall score is the plain average of the first five; ease of use is shown separately.

Key facts side by side

eToroPepperstone
What you ownMixedCFDs only
Available assetsStocks, ETFs and crypto, plus a large CFD rangeForex and CFDs across major asset classes
Regulated byFCA, CySEC, ASIC; SEC-registered US entityFCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA and others
Stands out forCopyTrader, the most developed social investing productRaw spreads with a choice of MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView
Watch out forHeavy CFD component outside the US, plus currency conversion fees and small per-trade stock commissionsDerivatives only — there is nothing here to buy and hold
Accepts clients inThe US, the UK, the EU and other countriesThe UK, the EU and other countries

Is eToro cheaper than Pepperstone?

On our Costs & Fees score, Pepperstone rates 4/5 against eToro’s 3/5, so it is generally the cheaper of the two for the costs we assess: commissions, spreads, currency conversion and account fees. Fees differ by country and account type and change often, so check both brokers’ current price lists before you choose.

Which is safer, eToro or Pepperstone?

eToro is regulated by FCA, CySEC, ASIC; SEC-registered US entity; Pepperstone by FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA and others. Both score 4/5 on our Regulation & Trust measure. Which company holds your account, and which investor compensation scheme covers it, depends on where you live. Compensation schemes cover a broker failing, never investment losses.

Which is better for beginners?

On ease of use for a beginner, which sits outside the overall score, eToro scores 4/5 and Pepperstone 2/5. eToro is the gentler place to start. Beginners should know that CFDs are leveraged derivatives rather than ownership, and that most retail accounts trading them lose money.

Who each one tends to suit

eToro

Tends to suit
Social & copy trading
Stands out for
CopyTrader, the most developed social investing product
Watch out for
Heavy CFD component outside the US, plus currency conversion fees and small per-trade stock commissions

Pepperstone

Tends to suit
Forex & CFD trading
Stands out for
Raw spreads with a choice of MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView
Watch out for
Derivatives only — there is nothing here to buy and hold

More head-to-heads

Scores and facts come from our own reviews as of September 2026 and follow one published methodology. Plain Investor has no commercial relationship with either broker. This is general education, not personal financial advice. Fees, features and regulation change, so confirm current terms with each broker before opening an account.