best cfd broker australia
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our best CFD broker for Australian traders: it is licensed by ASIC (AFSL 414530), offers more than 1,350 CFDs by its own count, from FX and indices to shares, ETFs and crypto, and publishes its costs market by market.
- Capital.com is our second choice, through Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 513393), and the one to consider if you want guaranteed stop-losses, which Pepperstone does not offer.
- Retail clients at both get negative balance protection and ASIC leverage caps: 1:30 on major FX, 1:20 on major indices and gold, 1:5 on shares, 1:2 on crypto.
- Pepperstone's minimum deposit is $10, against $20 at Capital.com.
A good CFD broker for an Australian has to hold an ASIC licence for the company you sign with, publish what each market costs, and offer the markets and platforms you use. Pepperstone does all three best in our data. Below is how it compares with Capital.com and when the runner-up is the better choice.
Which broker is best for CFD trading in Australia?
Pepperstone. Its Australian company, Pepperstone Group Limited in Melbourne, publishes pricing for every CFD class it sells: Razor averages of 0.1 pips on EUR/USD and 0.12 on gold, index spreads such as AUS200 at 1.5 points with no commission, 0.07% per side on Australian share CFDs, and published crypto and perpetual CFD costs. It funds from $10 by PayID, BPAY, card, PayPal and other methods, all free, and offers six base currencies including AUD.
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who is the best cfd broker in australia?
On published terms, our order is Pepperstone, then Capital.com. Here is how they compare for an Australian retail account:
| Pepperstone | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian licence | ASIC AFSL 414530 (Pepperstone Group Limited) | ASIC AFSL 513393 (Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd) |
| Minimum deposit | $10 | 20 (USD, EUR or GBP) |
| EUR/USD cost | Razor 0.1 pips avg + commission; Standard 1.1 avg | No static figure published |
| Guaranteed stop-loss | Not offered | Offered, per its help centre |
| Retail leverage, major FX | 1:30 | 30:1 |
| Platforms | Web/app, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | Web, app, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
Which CFD trading platform is best suited for Australian traders?
Pepperstone's Razor account gives the widest choice: its own web platform and app, MT4, MT5, TradingView and cTrader. The Standard account drops MT4 and TradingView. Pick by how you work:
- cTrader if commission matters most: forex costs USD 6 per round turn there, against AUD 3.50 per side on MT5 in an AUD account.
- TradingView if you already chart there and want to trade from the chart.
- MT4 or MT5 for expert advisors and Pepperstone's Smart Trader Tools add-ons.
- The Pepperstone app for perpetual CFDs on the move; MT4 does not carry them.
When Capital.com is the better pick
Choose Capital.com if a guaranteed stop-loss is part of your risk plan, since Pepperstone states that stops cannot be guaranteed. Capital.com's help pages say it offers guaranteed stops and negative balance protection; confirm the guaranteed-stop charge for the Australian company before you rely on it.
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What is considered the best CFD trading platform in Australia right now?
There is no official ranking, and we do not invent one. 'Best right now' should mean the ASIC-licensed broker whose current published costs and product list fit your trading. On that test Pepperstone leads our data in October 2026: it added perpetual CFDs this year, trades 100+ US share CFDs 24 hours a day on weekdays, and keeps the $10 entry point.
Sources
Does Pepperstone offer spread betting in Australia?
No. Spread betting is a UK product; Australian accounts are Standard or Razor CFD accounts.
Is there a compensation scheme if an Australian CFD broker fails?
Pepperstone names none. It holds retail money in segregated accounts under the Corporations Act 2001 and says there is no guarantee all funds would be returned on liquidation.
Can I hold an AUD account at Pepperstone?
Yes. Its Australian base currencies are AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, SGD and HKD.
CFDs are complex products that use leverage, and you can lose money rapidly. Consider the PDS and Target Market Determination before opening an account. This comparison is based on published broker terms and is not personal financial advice.