Updated October 17, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CFI vs Pepperstone
Where CFI and Pepperstone differ
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, MetalsCovers more |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66% | 74.1% |
| Platforms | MT5, TradingView, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App | TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, Pepperstone platform |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0.020 |
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, FCA | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit fees | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- CFI scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.2.
- Minimum deposit is lower at CFI: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only Pepperstone offers Metals.
- Platforms: only CFI offers MT5, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App.
- Platforms: only Pepperstone offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
Our verdict on each
CFI
CFI suits traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex on a commission-free model commission free, with a minimum deposit of $0 and a Cyprus entity licensed by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA. Note that 66% of retail accounts lose money, and protection under the EU scheme is limited.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone is a CFD broker with several platforms and a demo account. It suits active traders, though leveraged CFDs carry a high risk of quick losses.
Score breakdown
| Area | CFI | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 8.9 |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.5 |
| Trust | 9.4 | Not confirmed |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | CFI | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Pick CFI if, pick Pepperstone if
Pick CFI if cost and minimum deposit matter most.
Pick Pepperstone if markets matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | CFI | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Sources behind this comparison
CFI
- media.cfifinancial.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- dailyforex.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forex.wikibit.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investinglive.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Pepperstone
- pepperstone.com: 6 facts, checked October 17, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | CFI | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 43 of 471 | 22 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CFI | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1998 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CFI | Pepperstone | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $10below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0.020above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66%lowest quarter | 74.1%above the median | 72.21% |
Median across 136 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CFI
Pros
- No minimum deposit, at $0, and No deposit fees, so funding does not cost a fee and the account can open at any size.
- Regulated on both sides of Europe: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA, with the Cyprus entity named as Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex rather than forcing separate apps per asset class.
Cons
- Protection caps out at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 on the Cyprus entity, so balances above that sit outside the scheme.
- 66% of retail accounts lose money, which is the risk that matters most for anyone sizing a position.
- Leverage sits alongside shares and ETFs in stocks, etfs and forex, so a single account mixes instruments with very different risk levels.
Pepperstone
Pros
- Several platforms, including MetaTrader, cTrader and TradingView.
- Two pricing styles, one all in and one commission based.
- A demo account with virtual funds before going live.
Cons
- Leverage can cause fast losses, and a high share of retail accounts lose money.
- Overnight positions can pay or earn interest, with larger midweek rollovers.
- Withdrawals must go to an account or card in your own name.
Who each suits
CFI
Who it suits
- People who want stocks, etfs and forex held in one place instead of several broker accounts.
- Traders who prefer the commission-free model commission free and a minimum deposit of $0 over a larger entry threshold.
- Savers who want a Cyprus or UK regulated option, given Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA and the Cyprus licence 179/12.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a wider asset list, since stocks, etfs and forex runs to futures as well and CFI's list is stocks, etfs and forex.
- EU traders who want a rival with a low entry point, such as XTB at €0.
- Traders put off by losses in the retail book, where 66% lose money and the median here is 70.15%.
Pepperstone
Who it suits
- Traders who want a choice of MetaTrader, cTrader and TradingView.
- Frequent FX, gold or index CFD traders.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who cannot accept fast losses from leverage.
- Long term investors who want to own shares outright.
Questions about each
CFI
What is the minimum deposit to open a CFI account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened at any size and a first deposit does not have to clear a threshold. For comparison, Vantage lists $5 and XTB €0. The median minimum across the brands ranked is €4.64, and the highest reaches €26,308.87. CFI places 1 of 213 on that measure.
Does CFI charge commission on trades?+
CFI trades on a commission-free model, commission free, so positions are opened without a per-trade commission charge. The cost of a trade therefore sits in the spread and the market rather than in a commission line. Commission-free models are common in the field, appearing for 69.8% of the brands compared. Low-fee models sit alongside them at 40.5%.
Pepperstone
Does Pepperstone charge fees on deposits or withdrawals?+
The company charges no internal funding or withdrawal fees, though your bank or payment provider may apply its own charges. Deposits can be made by debit or credit card, digital wallet, or domestic and international bank transfer. Withdrawals must go to an account or card in the same name.
Can I practise on a demo account first?+
Yes. A demo account uses virtual funds in a live market environment and runs on the same platforms as live accounts. You can test strategies, try order types and explore charts and indicators without risking capital. Demo accounts cannot be reactivated once closed, so keep notes on what you tested.
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