Pepperstone vs HF Markets: Which One is Best?

2. Better Trading Platform – Pepperstone

Pepperstone doesn’t just stick with one platform and call it a day. You get MT4, MT5, cTrader, and even TradingView in the mix. In practice that means you can trade the way you like, whether you are running algorithms, digging into charts, or just want to see what the community is talking about.

On top of that, they have added some neat extras to MetaTrader e.g Smart Trader Tools. This toolkit offers tools like the Mini Terminal and Smart Lines that make risk management and execution sharper.

Add in cTrader’s Level II pricing and TradingView’s massive social network, and Pepperstone clearly caters to traders who want choice and advanced functionality.

HF Markets mainly offers MT4 and MT5 which are reliable, familiar, and give you everything a you’d expect from customisable charts and dozens of timeframes, to hundreds of indicators, and full support for Expert Advisors.

It’s nothing out of the ordinary so you’re basically getting MetaTrader straight out of the box. Pepperstone, by comparison, takes the same platforms and layers on extra tools and integrations that make the experience better and more professional.

For copy trading, HF has its own HFM Copy platform, which does the job well if you just want a straightforward way to mirror top traders. I do have to mention that it doesn’t offer the same breadth or integration you’ll find with Pepperstone’s mix of cTrader Copy and Pelican-powered CopyTrading.

Verdict

Pepperstone wins here with a wider selection of platforms and advanced integrations like the powerful Smart Trader Tools for MT4/MT5.

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*Your capital is at risk ‘75.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

3. Superior Accounts and Features – Pepperstone

Pepperstone has the Standard (commission-free) account if you prefer simplicity but don’t mind wider spreads. The Razor Account is the broker’s Raw account offering tight spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3.50 commission per lot. It’s actually one of the most competitive raw accounts I’ve come across in the forex and CFD trading industry.

Both accounts come without admin fees, fund at market rates overnight, and include all the key risk management tools like stop-losses, trailing stops, and custom alerts. If you’re trading size, their Active Trader Program adds daily rebates and perks that cut costs even further.

HF Markets, by contrast, casts a wider net with more account types. The Cent Account is built for beginners offering micro exposure with 1,000-unit “cent lots,” so you can start with margins as low as $0.10.

For raw pricing, the Zero Account mirrors Pepperstone’s Razor account with ultra-tight spreads plus a $3 commission per lot, with leverage up to 1:400.

If you’d rather skip commissions altogether, the Pro Account is the middle ground. Spreads are slightly wider, but you pay nothing on top, and the account is swap-free by default. I actually find this setup well suited to traders who want simplicity or who run strategies where overnight funding costs can eat into margins. It’s a good balance between cost control and flexibility.

Verdict

Pepperstone has simpler account options with transparent pricing, advanced risk-management tools, and exclusive perks like its Active Trader Program.

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*Your capital is at risk ‘75.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

4. Best Trading Experience and Ease – Pepperstone

In my latency tests, Pepperstone averaged 77ms on limit orders and 100ms on market orders, which is not only faster than HF Markets but also among the quickest globally.

That speed shows up in a real trading scenario with fewer requotes, tighter fills, and less slippage when markets spike. If you scalp or rely on algo systems, this can be the difference between catching the move cleanly or getting slipped out of profit. Even for swing traders, execution this sharp means your entries and exits land closer to the price you planned.

But beyond speed, Pepperstone’s platforms are still better than HF Markets’. Execution is fast, smooth and responsive, charts update instantly, and tools load without hesitation when you switch timeframes or indicators.

And of course, the Smart Trader Tools kit I mentioned adds greater functionality, giving MetaTrader a professional upgrade that HF just doesn’t match.

Verdict

I’m not trying to put HF Markets down by any means but Pepperstone’s combination of lightning-fast execution with stable platforms yields a better trading experience.

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*Your capital is at risk ‘75.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

5. Stronger Trust and Regulation – Pepperstone

Trust is everything in forex, and regulation is where that trust is earned. Pepperstone plays at the top of the ladder here with licences from ASIC (Australia), the FCA (UK), BaFin (Germany), and CySEC (Cyprus).

These are heavyweight regulators that enforce rules like client funds segregation, negative balance protection, and leverage caps, and brokers to ensure brokers operate with transparency.

Add in Dubai’s DFSA, which has been raising its global profile, and Pepperstone they’ve built an impenetrable fortress around client protection.

HF Markets does have some strict oversight with licences from the FCA, CySEC, and DFSA. However, the rest of their framework leans on lighter regulators in Seychelles and South Africa. The regulators over there don’t carry the same enforcement power or investor protections as ASIC and the other Tier-1 regulators.

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Verdict

Pepperstone’s strict oversight and multi-layered regulatory framework give it a clear trust and safety advantage over HF Markets.

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*Your capital is at risk ‘75.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

6. Top Product Range And CFD Markets – Pepperstone

Pepperstone offers one of the most diverse selection of CFD products of any broker I’ve come across. You can trade over 1,200+ CFDs spanning forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, ETFs, and even futures. They particularly stand out with 93 forex pairs from majors and minors to exotics, and Share CFDs with over 1,100+ global stocks.

HF Markets puts forward a well-rounded product lineup, but when you stack it against Pepperstone, the depth just isn’t the same. You only get 38 forex pairs, 23 indices, and a handful of commodities, Crypto, and share CFDs. ETFs and a few bonds and treasuries are also available, but only through MT5.

HF does, however, offer direct investment products and DMA access, which Pepperstone doesn’t. You could use this to your advantage if you like to combine CFDs with traditional investments.

Verdict

Pepperstone’s sheer depth and market coverage make it the better choice if you want access to the widest range of opportunities from a single broker.

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*Your capital is at risk ‘75.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

7. Superior Educational Resources – Pepperstone

Pepperstone’s education hub is one I can actually get lost in and I mean that in a good way. The trading guides cover just about everything I’d want to dig into, from the basics of CFD, forex, and commodity trading to more advanced areas like scalping, day trading, and copy trading.

I like that they also get into specific markets, with dedicated guides for gold and oil trading, plus a section on upcoming IPOs that keeps me ahead of new opportunities. And thanks to the regular webinars you can watch real market analysis and see how to apply it on their platforms right away.

HF Markets takes a slightly different route with trader education, but one I still respect. They combine online trading courses and educational videos for self-paced learning, then layer on trading classes, events, and webinars. The addition of podcasts is a nice touch for learning on the move, allowing you to pick up tips while commuting or at the gym.

Verdict

Pepperstone gives you the kind of education content that actually levels up your trading. HF lays a decent foundation, but it falls short of delivering real long-term trader development.

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*Your capital is at risk ‘75.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

8. Superior Customer Service – Pepperstone

Pepperstone runs 24/7 customer service which is rare among CFD brokers. Their support team answers fast (usually within a minute) on chat or the phone, and emails come back in under an hour. I also appreciate the availability of WhatsApp which allows me to get assistance almost as casually as texting a mate.

Responses aren’t scripted either; the staff know the platforms and can walk you through solutions without bouncing you around.

With HF Markets support is multilingual and generally helpful, but response times can lag, sometimes five to ten minutes, on live chat during busy hours.

They operate on a 24/6 schedule, which leaves you uncovered on Sundays. That might not matter if you only trade forex during the week, but if you’re active in crypto or monitoring weekend events, you’re on your own if a problem arises.

Verdict

Pepperstone wins thanks to its round-the-clock availability, faster responses, and extra WhatsApp support that make it easier to get help whenever you need it.

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*Your capital is at risk ‘75.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

9. Better Funding Options – Pepperstone

Funding is one of those areas where Pepperstone just makes life easier. Both brokers cover the basics pretty well, letting you deposit via card, bank transfer, popular e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, and even crypto.

But Pepperstone goes a step further with options that actually fit how traders move money day-to-day.

If you’re in Australia, for example, you can top up instantly using POLi or bPay, which I’ve found incredibly convenient compared to waiting on wire transfers. Pepperstone also supports PayPal, giving traders a fast, secure, and globally recognized channel that’s noticeably absent at HF Markets.

The funding process is generally smooth with both, and while HF’s processing times can be a touch longer than Pepperstone’s, it’s still fast. Additionally there are no internal fees, though third-party costs may apply so ensure you check with your bank or payment providers.

Verdict

Both brokers make account funding fast and easy, but Pepperstone’s broader range of payment methods means they offer more flexibility and convenience.

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*Your capital is at risk ‘75.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

10. Lower Minimum Deposit – A Tie

Pepperstone and HF Markets remove the entry barrier completely with a zero-dollar minimum deposit. That makes them instantly accessible for a first-time trader wanting to dip your toe in and experienced traders testing a new broker without committing capital upfront.

I do recommend starting with around $200 though. I usually find it enough to actually feel the rhythm of the market without running out of margin too quickly.

So, yes, the two brokers are evenly matched. Each makes it easy to step in at no cost, then nudges you toward a more realistic starting balance.

Verdict

Both Pepperstone and HF Markets provide the same low barrier to entry without compromising on account features or trading conditions, so it’s a tie.

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So Is HF Markets or Pepperstone The Best Broker?

After looking at both brokers side by side, every major category tilts in Pepperstone’s favor. HF Markets is no slouch and offers an accessible entry point for many traders, but once you drill down into the details, Pepperstone has the upper hand.

Pepperstone: Best For Beginner Traders

Pepperstone is better for beginner traders, offering extensive educational resources and a $0 minimum deposit.

Pepperstone: Best For Experienced Traders

For seasoned traders, Pepperstone feels like home turf. The platforms are advanced, the product range is broad, and everything is built for people who already know their way around the markets.