Pepperstone vs Capital.com in Australia
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our first choice in Australia and Capital.com our second: Pepperstone publishes average spreads and offers cTrader, while Capital.com offers guaranteed stop-losses.
- Pepperstone Group Limited holds AFSL 414530; Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd holds AFSL 513393.
- Minimum deposit is $10 at Pepperstone and 20 (USD, EUR or GBP) at Capital.com.
- Retail leverage is the same at both under ASIC rules: 1:30 on major FX, 1:20 on major indices and gold, 1:2 on crypto.
Both brokers are licensed in Australia and both run MT4, MT5 and TradingView. Pepperstone is the pick for traders who price every trade; Capital.com for those who want guaranteed stops on their own platform.
Why Pepperstone is our first choice
Pepperstone publishes the numbers an Australian trader needs to estimate costs: Razor averages 0.1 pips on EUR/USD plus USD 3.50 per side on MT5 or USD 3.00 on cTrader, and Standard averages 1.1 pips with no commission. Capital.com shows live spreads on its forex page but no fixed EUR/USD figure in our data, so its cost can't be set against Pepperstone's on paper. Pepperstone also adds cTrader, which Capital.com doesn't list, and fee-free funding by PayID, BPAY, cards and PayPal from $10.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How they compare
| Pepperstone | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|
| ASIC entity | Pepperstone Group Limited, AFSL 414530 | Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd, AFSL 513393 |
| Minimum deposit | $10 | 20 USD/EUR/GBP |
| EUR/USD | Razor 0.1 avg + commission; Standard 1.1 avg | Live spreads only; no static figure published |
| Platforms | Own app, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | Web, app, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| Guaranteed stop-loss | No | Yes |
| Negative-balance protection | Yes (retail) | Yes (retail) |
| Retail leverage | 1:30 major FX; 1:20 indices and gold; 1:5 shares; 1:2 crypto | 30:1 major FX; 20:1 major indices and gold; 5:1 shares; 2:1 crypto |
When Capital.com is the better pick
If you want a hard cap on what a trade can lose, Capital.com offers guaranteed stop-losses; Pepperstone doesn't, and its stops can slip in gaps. Capital.com also allows hedging mode and EAs. It says it typically handles withdrawals within 24 hours, with up to 5 business days for money to reach a card or bank, while Pepperstone lists 1–2 business days for most methods.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What to check before opening either
- Confirm the Australian entity and AFSL on the application form.
- Decide whether guaranteed stops matter more to you than published average pricing.
- Read each Target Market Determination and PDS.
- Test a small deposit and withdrawal.
Sources
Is Capital.com regulated in Australia?
Yes, through Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd under AFSL 513393.
Does Capital.com offer cTrader?
Not in its published platform list, which covers its web platform, app, MT4, MT5 and TradingView.
Which broker offers guaranteed stops?
Capital.com does; Pepperstone doesn't offer guaranteed stop-losses in Australia.
Leveraged CFDs are complex and high risk: losses can build fast. This comparison uses broker-published terms and is not investment advice. Check current terms and the Target Market Determination before you trade.