How to choose the best trading platform for you

Here’s a guide to help you cut through the noise and find a platform that takes you directly to the markets.

Why user-friendliness is important to a great platform

A user-friendly platform can make placing a trade feel effortless. Look for a platform with clear navigation, quick access to the tools that you’ll use regularly, and seamless mobile compatibility so you can trade comfortably on-the-go.

Pepperstone offers an interface that’s packed with powerful features that experienced traders love. The goal? A platform that lets you focus on trading with ease and confidence, not struggling with settings.

Key features to consider in a trading platform

Access to assets: What can you trade?

A great platform gives you choice. Look for one where you can trade across a wide range of assets, from forex and indices to commodities and crypto. This kind of variety helps you diversify, so you can spread your exposure across different assets and reduce the impact of any single market movement. The broader your asset selection, the more flexibility you gain to adapt to trends and global events, ensuring your portfolio stays resilient in changing market conditions. Pepperstone’s wide range of available markets, for instance, covers everything from traditional forex pairs to exciting new markets – all in one place.

Transparent fees and costs

Nobody likes surprise fees, especially when it’s your trading money! Look for a platform with clear, upfront pricing for spreads, commission, and any other account fees. With Pepperstone’s Razor and Standard accounts, you know exactly what fees you’re liable for before you place your trade – and you can find out more on our charges and fees page.

Execution speed: Does it keep up?

Fast execution means you’re more likely to get the price you want, especially during high-volatility moments. Pepperstone’s low-latency servers are close to financial hubs, helping to make sure trades are executed quickly and reliably. If you’re trading around big news events, every second counts.

Demo accounts for practice

Testing out strategies on a demo account is a stress-free way to build confidence and test your trading strategies. Pepperstone’s demo account mirrors a live account, enabling you to practise in real-time market conditions without risking a penny. Whether you’re new to trading or just trying a fresh strategy, this kind of hands-on experience is invaluable. Practicing on a demo lets you make mistakes and learn – no consequences, just the ability to gain valuable experience.

Advanced charting tools and technical indicators

If you’re serious about technical analysis, Pepperstone’s suite of platforms offers everything you need for precision trading. Advanced charting tools and features like Autochartist (available on MT4, MT5 and cTrader) help identify patterns effortlessly, saving you hours of manual analysis. With automated trading capabilities, you can seamlessly enter and exit markets without manual intervention.

The platforms that power your trading: MT4, MT5, and more

At Pepperstone, we know that every trader has unique needs. That’s why we offer a suite of platforms – including MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and our own webtrader platform and app – designed to fit your trading style and goals. Here’s how they stack up:

Pepperstone’s in-house platform and app: by traders, for traders

For those who value precision and flexibility, Pepperstone’s webtrader platform and mobile app deliver a modern, all-in-one solution that adapts to traders’ needs. Our powerful tools and dynamic features are built with experienced traders in mind, giving you the edge in fast-moving markets.

Our webtrader platform and mobile app can empower you with:

• A seamless and user-friendly interface for trading anytime, anywhere
• Multiple charting options, tech analysis and comprehensive insights, with ‘quick switch’ between charts
• A ready-to-use demo account with every live trading account
• Customised watchlists, with the ability to follow public watchlists
• Live streaming prices which you can tap on to trade or amend your position
• Risk-management features to inform your trading and help protect your capital

Choose Pepperstone’s platform for a clean, intuitive solution that gets you to the markets with the tools you need – and without the ones you don’t.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) - The world’s most popular forex platform

MT4 offers robust charting tools, interactive charts, automated trading systems (Expert Advisors), custom indicators, algorithmic trading, pattern-recognition software and more. Its streamlined and intuitive interface is highly customisable, enabling you to cut through the noise and focus on executing your strategies.

MT4 combines simplicity and power with features like:

• Advanced charting tools and interactive charts
• Automated trading with Expert Advisors (EAs)
• Custom indicators and pattern-recognition software
• Algorithmic trading capabilities

Perfect for traders seeking an intuitive, no-fuss platform that doesn’t compromise on tools.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) - Greater depth for advanced traders

MT5 builds on the strength of MT4, with additional asset types, features and flexibility. Access a greater variety of chart types and timeframes, an advanced economic calendar, and the ability to optimise your algorithms by testing your strategies across multiple currency pairs simultaneously.

MT5 adds even more flexibility and features to those of MT4, including:

• A wider range of assets, including stocks, commodities, and futures
• More order types including buy stop limit and sell stop limit
• Advanced charting with 38 built-in indicators and 21 timeframes
• Algorithmic trading enhancements such as a multi-currency strategy tester and faster testing and optimisation.
• Ideal for traders who want all the advanced features of MetaTrader, for multi-asset trading and strategy optimisation.

cTrader: Speed and flexibility for active traders

cTrader is for traders who want a fast, streamlined experience and a clean and intuitive interface. Develop trading robots and custom indicators to automate your trading strategies and view the full range of executable prices from liquidity providers with Level 2 pricing.

cTrader focuses on speed and an intuitive user experience, offering:

• Level 2 pricing for deeper market insights
• Tools to develop custom trading robots and indicators
• Social trading integration to copy experienced traders directly
• A clean, customisable interface

Great for traders prioritising speed, social trading, and a sleek design.

Advanced trading features for your toolkit

Smart Trader Tools: Supercharge your strategy on MT4 and MT5

Pepperstone’s Smart Trader Tools is a suite of 28 powerful add-ons for MT4 and MT5. With useful tools like Alarm Manager for setting alerts, Sentiment Trader for tracking market sentiment, and Session Map for staying on top of market hours, you have more of everything you need to make informed, strategic trades.

VPS for automated trading: Stay connected 24/7

If automated trading is your style, Pepperstone’s VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting is here to make sure your strategies keep running, even when you’re offline. This works perfectly for MT4 and MT5, as it keeps your Expert Advisors active around the clock with low latency. It’s especially useful for traders who rely on automation or need a secure, always-on environment.

Pepperstone has you covered with MT4, MT5, and cTrader platforms, plus handy Smart Trader Tools and VPS hosting. Whether you're new and want something simple, need advanced analytics, or value lightning-fast trades, there's something for every kind of trader.

Quick checklist to find your ideal platform

• User-friendly interface: A platform that’s easy to navigate and has mobile access so you can trade on the go.
• Diverse asset choices: Trade across forex, indices, commodities, crypto, and more, giving you plenty of ways to diversify.
• Transparent fees: No surprises here—clear info on spreads, commissions, and fees so you know exactly what you’re paying.
• Fast execution: Quick trades with low-latency servers, perfect for when the market’s moving fast.
• Demo accounts for practice: Test out strategies and build your confidence without any pressure or risk
• Advanced charting tools: Look for customisable indicators and charts to support your technical analysis and decision-making.

Simple steps to get started with Pepperstone

1. Sign up and verify your account
   Register with Pepperstone, filling out a few personal details. For security, you’ll need to verify your ID document and address. The process normally only takes a few minutes.
2. Choose the platform that suits you best.
   Mobile trading is likely to be more convenient if you’re on the go. Web-based trading means you don’t need to download a platform, and downloaded desktop platforms often have even more functionality and tools.
3. Add some funds.
   We accept a number of different payment methods and the minimum deposit is just $10.
4. Find your market and trade
   Identify an opportunity based on your chosen research or analysis methods, and place your first trade with confidence!

FAQs - Common questions about trading platforms

Do the platforms support automated trading?

Yes, if you’re a fan of automation, Pepperstone’s MT4 and MT5 and cTrader have you covered. You can use Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader to automatically trade based on the criteria you set up. Plus, with VPS hosting, you can keep your strategies running 24/7 without worrying about interruptions.

Can I trade on the go with Pepperstone?

Yes you can! Pepperstone’s platforms are available on mobile, so you can keep an eye on your trades from anywhere. You’ll have access to most of the features you get on desktop, like charting tools and real-time trade management, making it easy to stay connected to the markets wherever you are.

What types of accounts does Pepperstone offer?

Pepperstone has options for everyone. If you’re just getting started, the Standard Account keeps things simple with no commission, while the Razor Account is perfect if you’re a high-frequency trader looking for more control over your fees.

Does Pepperstone provide any resources to help me learn?

Yes, we do. Whether you’re new to trading or just want to improve, Pepperstone offers guides, webinars, and market analysis that cover many different aspects of trading. Our ‘learn to trade’ hub is designed to help you build your skills.

What can I trade on Pepperstone’s platform?

With Pepperstone, you can explore a wide range of markets—forex, indices, shares, commodities, and even cryptocurrencies. Find out more on ours markets pages.