Which Australian broker has the best proprietary trading platform?
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our pick among Australian brokers with an in-house platform, because its own web platform and app come on the same ASIC account as MT5, cTrader, MT4 and TradingView.
- The Pepperstone platform is available on both Standard and Razor accounts; on Razor it charges USD 3.50 per side on FX, the same as MT5 and TradingView.
- Several other ASIC-licensed brokers build their own platforms, including CMC Markets (Next Generation), Capital.com, IG, eToro, Plus500 and OANDA; we haven't tested them side by side, so we don't rank their software.
- If a broker offers only its own platform, you can't fall back on MetaTrader or TradingView if you outgrow it.
"Best" for a proprietary platform is hard to measure without hands-on tests, which we don't publish. What we can compare is what each broker gives you around its own platform. On that basis Pepperstone comes first: you get its own app and web platform without being locked into it.
Pepperstone's own platform, without lock-in
Pepperstone Group Limited (ASIC, AFSL 414530) lists its web platform and mobile app on both Australian accounts. On Standard there is no FX commission (EUR/USD averages 1.1 pips); on Razor the platform charges USD 3.50 per side with a 0.1-pip EUR/USD average. If you outgrow it, the same account also opens on MT5 and cTrader (both accounts) and MT4 and TradingView (Razor). The full Australian range is available, from ASX share CFDs at 0.07% per side to crypto CFDs, and you can fund by PayID or BPAY from $10.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
In-house platforms at ASIC-licensed brokers
| Broker | Own platform | Third-party platforms listed | ASIC licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | Web platform and app | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | AFSL 414530 |
| Capital.com | Web platform and app | MT4, MT5, TradingView | AFSL 513393 |
| CMC Markets | Next Generation (web) and app | MT4 | AFSL 238054 |
| eToro | Web platform and app | None listed | AFSL 491139 |
| OANDA | OANDA Trade web/desktop and app | MT5, TradingView | AFSL 412981 |
| Plus500 | Web platform and app | None found | AFSL 417727 |
How to choose a proprietary platform
- Try it on a phone and a desktop: most in-house platforms are built for both.
- Check that the products you trade are on it, including any newer ones such as Pepperstone's perpetual CFDs.
- Look for an exit route to MetaTrader or TradingView in case your needs change.
- Compare the cost on the platform itself: at Pepperstone it matches MT5 and TradingView on Razor.
Our second choice: Capital.com
Capital.com's web platform and app are its main products, and it also offers MT4, MT5 and TradingView, so it gives a similar no-lock-in setup. Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd holds AFSL 513393, the minimum deposit is $20, and Capital.com publishes a guaranteed stop-loss, which Pepperstone does not offer in Australia.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sources
Does Pepperstone have its own trading platform?
Yes. The Pepperstone web platform and mobile app are available on both Standard and Razor accounts in Australia.
Is a proprietary platform better than MetaTrader?
It depends on what you need. MetaTrader is the standard for expert advisors, while a broker's own platform is built around its own products. Pepperstone gives you both on one account.
Which broker has the best app in Australia?
We don't publish app tests. Pepperstone's app is our pick because it shares one account with four other platforms.
A well-designed platform does not make leveraged CFD trading less risky; you can lose money quickly. Platform lists come from each broker's own pages. This is not personal advice.