Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ACY Securities vs Alpari, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
ACY Securities and Alpari, both established players in the online brokerage world, offer distinctive features and regulatory standings. Founded in 2011, ACY Securities is a private, non-bank entity with an edge in regulation by holding one Tier-1 license, regarded as highly trusted by industry standards. Its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 75 categorizes it as an average-risk broker, providing a balance of trust and performance for cautious investors.
Alpari, founded earlier in 1998, also operates as a private and non-banking broker but lacks Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses. It holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 68, placing it in the high-risk category. This makes ACY Securities generally more secure in terms of regulatory trust compared to Alpari. Investors prioritizing regulatory safeguards may find ACY Securities' standing preferable, given its Tier-1 regulatory status and higher Trust Score.
| Feature |
ACY Securities
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2011 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of ACY Securities and Alpari, ACY Securities emerges as a versatile choice accommodating both beginners and more experienced traders. It offers three account types, each with unique deposit requirements and fee structures, enabling traders to select options that best suit their financial capabilities and trading goals. Particularly for Australians, the all-in costs can be more favorable, with slightly better-than-average effective spreads on the ProZero account. In terms of commissions and fees, ACY Securities are rated highly, receiving 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranking 21st out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
ACY Securities' Standard account requires a modest $50 deposit and operates with average spreads of 1.2 pips on popular currency pairs such as EUR/USD. For those seeking tighter spreads, the ProZero account offers lower average spreads of 0.25 pips in exchange for a $200 minimum deposit, with a commission ranging from $6 per round turn down to $3 for Australian residents. The premium Bespoke account demands a higher $10,000 deposit and offers commission rates as low as $5 per round turn. Additionally, ACY Securities provides an active trader program that rewards high-volume traders with reduced costs, potentially saving 0.5 pips per lot for monthly volumes exceeding 50 standard lots.
In contrast, Alpari's commission and fee structure lacks publicly available average spread data, making direct comparisons more challenging. Despite this, Alpari has garnered a solid reputation, earning a 4-star rating for commissions and fees and holding the 41st position in ForexBrokers.com's ranking of 62 brokers. Both brokers present competitive packages, but ACY Securities' comprehensive offerings and flexibility give it a slight edge, especially in terms of overall cost savings for high-volume traders.
| Feature |
ACY Securities
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.85 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investments, ACY Securities and Alpari cater to traders looking for diverse opportunities, albeit with different scopes. ACY Securities stands out with its offering of 2200 tradeable symbols, including 66 forex pairs. In comparison, Alpari offers a more limited selection with 105 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs available to their clients. Both brokers provide forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, and also offer copy trading and cryptocurrency derivative options, although neither allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies or exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges.
Furthermore, Alpari gives its traders the ability to invest in exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, unlike ACY Securities. Despite these offerings, ACY Securities outshines Alpari in the range of investments, earning a 4-star rating and ranking 30th out of 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. Alpari, on the other hand, receives a 3-star rating for its range of investments and is placed at the bottom of the list, ranking 62nd. This comparison underscores ACY Securities' more extensive investment options and higher industry ranking, making it a potentially more attractive choice for investors seeking broader trading possibilities.
| Feature |
ACY Securities
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2200 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Both ACY Securities and Alpari provide comprehensive trading platforms and tools designed to cater to traders of various experience levels. Each broker offers a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice and develop strategies without financial risk. With proprietary platforms developed in-house, traders have access to unique features and interface designs that aim to enhance the user experience. Additionally, both brokers support popular trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which offers great versatility for executing trades and analyzing markets. The availability of Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based browser options further enhances accessibility for traders who prefer different mediums for their trading activities. Traders interested in copy trading can also explore options offered by both brokers.
When it comes to charting tools, ACY Securities and Alpari provide similar offerings, featuring 15 drawing tools each and the capability to execute trades directly from stock charts. Watchlists are also efficiently organized, with seven fields available for customizing views. Despite being rated similarly with 4-star ratings for their trading platforms and tools, ACY Securities holds a higher ranking at #41 compared to Alpari's #55 out of 62 brokers rated by ForexBrokers.com. While neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, their platforms and tools receive praise for solid performance and user satisfaction.
| Feature |
ACY Securities
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of ACY Securities and Alpari, both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps along with price alerts for stocks and forex. They provide users with 30 technical studies for charting, the capability to draw trendlines, and access to multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday views. However, there are some differences in features; for instance, ACY Securities auto saves drawings on charts, whereas Alpari does not. Both brokers allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, although neither offers syncing of watchlist symbols between the mobile app and online accounts.
In terms of user ratings, both brokers receive four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps. However, their rankings differ, with ACY Securities placed at #40 and Alpari at #56 out of 62 brokers in the category on ForexBrokers.com. These standings suggest that while both brokers offer commendable features in their mobile apps, ACY Securities may have a slight edge in terms of user experience and functionality according to industry evaluations.
| Feature |
ACY Securities
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
In comparing ACY Securities and Alpari for market research features, several key differences become apparent. ACY Securities provides daily market commentary, which can be beneficial for traders looking to stay updated with the latest trends and insights. Alpari, on the other hand, does not offer this service but compensates by delivering forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, equipping its users with high-quality information. Both brokers provide an economic calendar, helping traders track important global financial events efficiently. However, neither platform offers technical analysis tools from Trading Central or sentiment-based trading tools, limiting their resources in these areas.
In terms of research amenities, Alpari stands out by offering technical analysis tools from Autochartist, enhancing its technical research capabilities, while ACY Securities lacks this feature. Neither broker includes market research from TipRanks or utilizes resources from Acuity Trading. Despite these limitations, ACY Securities achieves a slightly higher research rating at 3.5 stars compared to Alpari's 3 stars, according to ForexBrokers.com. Furthermore, ACY is ranked #44 out of 62 brokers in the Research category, ahead of Alpari, which holds the #57 position. This indicates that while both platforms have room for improvement, ACY Securities provides a marginally better research experience overall.
| Feature |
ACY Securities
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
ACY Securities and Alpari both cater to beginners interested in forex and CFD trading, offering a wealth of educational resources to get you started. ACY Securities provides a comprehensive learning experience with over ten educational materials that include articles, videos, and archived webinars. In addition, they offer monthly live webinars to keep clients updated and engaged, with a searchable archive for those who miss the initial broadcasts. Alpari also offers more than ten educational pieces, with a focus on beginner-friendly trading videos. However, they do not provide monthly webinars or a searchable archive, which might limit continuous learning opportunities for their users.
While both brokers prioritize beginner education with dedicated videos, they fall short in advanced video content aimed at seasoned traders. However, Alpari extends its offerings with an investor dictionary containing over 50 definitions, providing valuable insights into industry terminology. Despite these differences, ACY Securities holds a slightly higher educational rating of 3.5 stars compared to Alpari's 3 stars. This is reflected in their rankings, where ACY Securities stands at #43 and Alpari at #48 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com in the Education category. These rankings highlight ACY Securities as a slightly more resourceful option for beginners seeking a blend of live and on-demand learning opportunities.
| Feature |
ACY Securities
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ACY Securities is better than Alpari. ACY Securities finished with an overall rank of #41, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
ACY Securities is a MetaTrader-only broker with a reasonable range of markets and a balanced account offering. The broker’s research and educational content, however, could be greatly improved upon.
| Feature |
ACY Securities
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 75 | 68 |
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Both ACY Securities and Alpari do not provide the option to purchase actual cryptocurrency for delivery, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
ACY Securities and Alpari both provide options for Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire transactions, with ACY Securities supporting ACH/SEPA transfers and Alpari lacking PayPal as a deposit or withdrawal method, which neither offers.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 75 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ACY Securities Review |
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| Regulation | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 75 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2011 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2200 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.85 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | ACY Securities Review |
| Overall | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 75 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ACY Securities Review |
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