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 ACY Securities to Alpari in terms of commissions and fees, ACY Securities stands out with diverse account options catering to varying trader needs. Offering both low-deposit and commission-based accounts, ACY Securities provides different pricing structures. Their Standard account, which has no commissions, averages 1.2 pips spread on EUR/USD with a minimal $50 deposit requirement. In contrast, their ProZero and Bespoke accounts offer tighter spreads starting at 0.25 pips but involve commissions, requiring higher minimum deposits of $200 and $10,000 respectively. Residents in Australia benefit from even lower effective spreads and commission rates.
Alpari's fee structure is less transparent, as average spread data isn't available, which makes direct pricing comparisons challenging. This lack of clarity can affect a trader's ability to accurately anticipate trading costs, whereas ACY Securities provides more detailed and accessible cost information. Given this discrepancy in transparency and options, it's easier for traders to align their financial goals with ACY Securities’ offerings.
From a ratings perspective, ACY Securities receives a commendable 4.5 stars out of 5 for its commissions and fees, ranking 21st out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Alpari, on the other hand, garners a slightly lower rating of 4 stars, positioning it at 41st in the same category. These ratings underline ACY Securities as a more favorable choice for those prioritizing competitive pricing and clarity in fee structures.
| 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 comparing ACY Securities and Alpari on investment options, ACY Securities stands out with a broader range, offering 2200 tradeable symbols compared to Alpari's 105. For forex enthusiasts, ACY Securities provides access to 66 forex pairs, surpassing Alpari's 46. Both brokers enable forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts and support copy trading, allowing investors to mimic the trades of successful traders. Cryptocurrency derivatives are available at both brokers, providing exposure to digital coins without owning the actual asset.
However, while both brokers do not offer direct trading of U.S. exchange-listed securities, only Alpari allows trading of international stocks like Vodafone. Due to its extensive offerings, ACY Securities receives a higher investment range rating of four stars and ranks 30th out of 63 on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Alpari holds three stars and ranks last, indicating ACY Securities’ superiority in offering more investment choices.
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of ACY Securities and Alpari, both brokers show similarities. Each offers a range of options including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), as well as proprietary platforms developed in-house. Users can access trading via Windows-based desktop applications and web-based platforms, ensuring flexibility. Both brokers also provide virtual demo accounts for simulated trading, and they offer copy trading for those looking to follow successful strategies. While neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, they both enable users to trade directly from stock charts and provide a suite of 15 drawing tools for chart analysis.
Despite these similarities, there are subtle differences in the user experience and ranking. ACY Securities is rated higher for trading platforms and tools by ForexBrokers.com, ranking 41 out of 63 brokers, compared to Alpari’s rank of 55. Both share a four-star rating out of five for their platform offerings and support seven columns in watchlists for tracking various market metrics. These features suggest that both brokers are well-equipped to meet the needs of traders, though ACY Securities may appeal to those placing a premium on overall platform ranking.
| 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 choosing between ACY Securities and Alpari for mobile trading, both platforms provide apps for Android and iPhone users, allowing seamless access to trading on-the-go. Essential features like stock and forex price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes are offered by both brokers. Despite these similarities, one of the few differences lies in the ability of ACY Securities' app to auto-save drawings on charts, a feature absent in Alpari's app. This can be a notable advantage for traders who frequently utilize charting tools.
In terms of charting capabilities, both apps are evenly matched, offering 30 technical studies and allowing users to view multiple time frames like daily and intraday. Moreover, they both support drawing trendlines on charts, enhancing technical analysis for users. While neither platform currently offers watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online account, ACY Securities edges slightly ahead with a higher ranking by ForexBrokers.com, being 16 places above Alpari. Both apps have received a solid 4-star rating, reflecting generally positive user experiences.
| 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.
When weighing ACY Securities against Alpari for their market research offerings, a few key differences stand out. ACY Securities excels with its provision of daily market commentary and a comprehensive economic calendar, allowing traders to stay updated on current and upcoming global events. On the other hand, Alpari does not offer daily market commentary but provides exclusive forex news from esteemed sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, catering to traders seeking in-depth news insights.
In terms of research tools, Alpari has an advantage with its use of Autochartist tools, enhancing traders' technical and fundamental analysis capabilities. Neither broker offers tools from Trading Central or sentiment-based trading tools. Both ACY Securities and Alpari lack additional research offerings from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Looking at the ratings, ACY Securities achieves a slightly higher research rating of 3.5 stars compared to Alpari's 3 stars, and ranks higher at #45 over Alpari's #57 in the research category according to ForexBrokers.com.
| 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 venturing into the world of forex and CFDs with a suite of educational resources. ACY Securities offers an extensive array of learning materials including webinars, accessible at least once a month, and a searchable archive of recorded webinars for ever-ready learning. Their resources also encompass over ten beginner-friendly videos tailored to new traders, helping them grasp the essentials of trading. However, ACY Securities doesn't provide a comprehensive dictionary of investing terms, though it stands as a strong contender with a 3.5-star rating for education, ranking 43rd out of 63 brokers.
On the flip side, Alpari proves to be a resourceful option with its collection of educational content including more than ten introductory videos for beginners. Despite the lack of live or archived webinars, Alpari compensates with a well-designed investor dictionary clarifying over 50 investing terms, which can be a handy tool for novices. While it holds a slightly lower education rating of 3 stars and ranks 48th among education resources, Alpari’s structured content continues to support learners in building a strong trading foundation.
| 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 63 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 #58.
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 |
|
|
| Trust Score | 75 | 68 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 75 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ACY Securities Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ACY Securities | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 75 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ACY Securities Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill