Pepperstone vs Ultima Markets — which broker is better in 2026?
We compared Pepperstone and Ultima Markets across five core criteria:
regulation, minimum deposit, spreads, platform choice, and
overall user rating. Pepperstone wins on more criteria (4 categories vs 0),
making it the stronger default for most traders. Both brokers remain reputable, independently tier-1 regulated options.
Pepperstone
Ultima Markets
Winner
Rating
⭐ 4.7 / 5
⭐ 4.1 / 5
Pepperstone
Regulators
FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, BaFin, SCB, CMA Kenya
CySEC, FSC Mauritius
Pepperstone
Min. deposit
$0 (no minimum)
$50
Pepperstone
Spreads from
0.0 pips (Razor)
0.0 pips (Raw)
Tie
Max. leverage
Up to 1:30 (EU/UK retail) / 1:500 (offshore)
1:500
—
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade
MT4, MT5
Pepperstone
Founded
2010
2016
—
HQ
Melbourne, Australia
Port Louis, Mauritius
—
Pros & cons compared
Pepperstone pros
✓ Seven tier-1 regulators including FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA
✓ No minimum deposit — start with any amount
✓ Razor account spreads from 0.0 pips with $3.50/lot commission
✓ Native TradingView platform integration for chart-first traders
✓ 1,200+ instruments incl. shares CFDs from 16 global exchanges
Cons
✗ Limited crypto offering vs. Exness or Bybit
✗ EU leverage 1:30 (ESMA)
✗ No proprietary platform — relies on third-party
Ultima Markets pros
✓ CySEC + FSC Mauritius regulation
✓ Raw spreads from 0.0 pips
✓ Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) membership on the EU entity
✓ Full MT4 and MT5 support
Cons
✗ Offshore entity used for the higher 1:500 leverage
✗ Younger brand with limited public track record
✗ Modest proprietary tooling beyond MetaTrader
Which one should you choose?
Choose Pepperstone if you want…
Serious retail traders who want tier-1 regulation, tight spreads, and platform choice (MT4/5/cTrader/TradingView).
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Pepperstone. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Choose Ultima Markets if you want…
Traders who want CySEC-backed raw-spread accounts with global reach and high offshore leverage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better — Pepperstone or Ultima Markets?
Based on five comparison criteria (regulation, deposit, spreads, platforms, overall rating), Pepperstone wins 4 categories. That makes it the stronger default choice — though both brokers remain reputable, independently tier-1 regulated options.
Is Pepperstone more regulated than Ultima Markets?
Pepperstone holds licenses from: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, BaFin, SCB, CMA Kenya.
Ultima Markets holds licenses from: CySEC, FSC Mauritius.
Pepperstone has more regulatory licenses, giving it broader geographic coverage.
What are the spreads at Pepperstone vs Ultima Markets?
Pepperstone spreads start from 0.0 pips (Razor).
Ultima Markets spreads start from 0.0 pips (Raw). Actual spreads vary by account type and market conditions.
Which has a lower minimum deposit, Pepperstone or Ultima Markets?
Pepperstone: $0 (no minimum). Ultima Markets: $50. Pepperstone has the lower entry barrier.