Pepperstone app vs IG app: which is better?
Verdict
- For a Hong Kong trader we rate Pepperstone's app the better choice: it publishes average spreads (0.1 pips on EUR/USD for Razor, 1.1 on Standard) and links to MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView on one account.
- IG's app is stronger on risk tools: it offers guaranteed stops, free to place with a premium only if triggered, and adds ProRealTime and L2 Dealer.
- Neither holds an SFC licence. Pepperstone serves Hong Kong through its Bahamas entity (SIA-F217); IG's Hong Kong address redirects to its China site, with no SFC licence shown.
- IG quotes EUR/USD 'from 0.6 points', a minimum, so its figure can't be set directly against Pepperstone's averages.
IG and Pepperstone both run polished apps with deep market lists, so the choice comes down to pricing transparency, platform range and, for Hong Kong residents, which firm will actually serve you. On those terms we favour Pepperstone; on guaranteed stops, IG is ahead.
Our verdict for Hong Kong: Pepperstone
Pepperstone's case rests on three published facts. It gives averages, not just minimums, for its main markets. Its Razor account opens on the Pepperstone app, MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, with cTrader at $3.00 per side on FX. And its international site, run by Pepperstone Markets Limited, clearly serves Hong Kong, with HKD accounts and a $10 minimum. IG's Hong Kong web address forwards to its China site, so we can't confirm from IG's pages which IG company would take a Hong Kong client.
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Head to head
| Pepperstone | IG | |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Razor 0.1 pips avg + $3.50/side; Standard 1.1 pips avg | From 0.6 points, no commission (UK) |
| Platforms | Own app and web, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | Own app and web, MT4, MT5, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView, APIs |
| Guaranteed stops | No | Yes, premium charged only if triggered |
| Minimum deposit | $10 | Conflicting figures on IG's own site |
| Hong Kong entity | Pepperstone Markets Ltd, SCB Bahamas; no SFC licence | None shown; ig.com/hk redirects to ig.com/cn; no SFC licence |
Where IG's app is stronger
- Guaranteed stops: IG lets you place them free and charges a premium only if one is triggered. Pepperstone offers none.
- Charting extras: ProRealTime and L2 Dealer have no equivalent at Pepperstone.
- Negative balance protection: IG offers it in the UK and Europe; Pepperstone's Bahamas terms give it to retail clients too.
Why the spreads aren't like for like
IG's 0.6 points is a 'from' figure: the narrowest spread at the best moment, on a commission-free account. Pepperstone's 1.1 pips is the Standard account's average across the day. An average will always look wider than a minimum. To compare fairly, open EUR/USD in both apps at the same moment and note the live spread.
Can you use IG from Hong Kong?
IG's pages we checked list licences in the UK, EU, Australia, Singapore, the DIFC and elsewhere, but none in Hong Kong, and ig.com/hk sends you to IG's China site. Before applying, ask IG which company would hold your account. Pepperstone, for its part, holds no SFC licence either: the SFC register shows no entry, and its Hong Kong clients deal with the Bahamas entity, which names no compensation scheme.
Sources
Figures as published by each broker or regulator on its own site.
Does Pepperstone offer guaranteed stops like IG?
No. Pepperstone's stops are not guaranteed. IG offers guaranteed stops, charging a premium only if one is triggered.
Is IG licensed in Hong Kong?
IG's site shows no SFC licence, and its Hong Kong address redirects to its China site. Pepperstone has no SFC licence either.
Which app has more platforms linked to it?
IG lists ProRealTime, L2 Dealer and APIs as well as MT4, MT5 and TradingView. Pepperstone offers cTrader, which IG does not list, plus MT4, MT5 and TradingView.
Leveraged CFD trading carries a high risk of rapid losses and is not right for every investor. This article is information only, not a recommendation to trade and not investment advice. Verify costs and eligibility directly with the broker.