Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BDSwiss 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.
BDSwiss and Alpari are both online brokers catering to forex traders, yet they differ significantly in their trust ratings and regulatory standards. BDSwiss, established in 2012, holds a Tier-1 license, marking it as a more reliable option with a Trust Score of 73 out of 99. In contrast, Alpari, founded in 1998, lacks a Tier-1 license and has a lower Trust Score of 68, indicating a slightly higher risk. Neither of these brokers is publicly traded or operates as a bank.
According to ForexBrokers.com, the Trust Score serves as an essential measure of safety, with scores above 70 deemed average or better. BDSwiss’s single Tier-1 license underscores its relative compliance and security in financial dealings. Conversely, Alpari’s absence of Tier-1 licenses might urge potential traders to consider this when assessing their investment options.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2012 | 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 | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers BDSwiss and Alpari, it's essential to consider their unique offerings and pricing structures. BDSwiss delivers commendable order execution statistics, but its spreads are generally higher than industry leaders. For instance, the Classic account spreads at 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD pair, which can be considered costly. Alternatively, BDSwiss's Raw account provides spreads as low as 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3 pips, and the VIP account offers a spread of 1.2 pips.
For Alpari, accessing precise average spread data is not feasible, which might be a downside for traders seeking transparency. However, both brokers are placed relatively well in the niche they serve. BDSwiss earns a solid four-star rating for its commissions and fees, ranking 30th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Alpari also receives a four-star rating in the same category, placing it at the 41st position.
In summary, while both BDSwiss and Alpari maintain a similar rating for commissions and fees, BDSwiss holds a slight edge with its better ranking and specified spread details, which may benefit traders looking for more structured pricing options. However, Alpari might present other features to balance this aspect for its users.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10-$5000 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 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 BDSwiss and Alpari, BDSwiss stands out with a wider selection of tradeable symbols and forex pairs, offering 1,081 symbols and 53 forex pairs compared to Alpari's 105 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Both platforms provide forex trading as either CFDs or spot contracts and include cryptocurrency derivatives. However, neither allows investors to purchase actual cryptocurrencies. While both brokers offer copy trading, only Alpari provides access to international exchanges, enabling the purchase of securities like Vodafone shares, though neither offers exchange-traded securities from U.S. exchanges.
For investors seeking a broader range of investments, BDSwiss may be the more attractive choice with its extensive offering. It is rated 4 stars for its range of investments and is ranked 34th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Alpari receives a 3-star rating and holds the 63rd position in the same category. This makes BDSwiss a potentially better option for those prioritizing a larger variety of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1081 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 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 BDSwiss and Alpari in terms of their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer a well-rounded suite of options. Each provides simulated trading through a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice without financial risk. They both feature proprietary platforms that are developed in-house, alongside widely recognized options such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). For those who prefer flexibility, both brokers also offer Windows-based desktop platforms and convenient web-based platforms that can be accessed from any browser. Traders looking to mimic successful strategies will appreciate the copy trading capabilities available from both BDSwiss and Alpari, although DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not supported by either.
For those interested in technical analysis, BDSwiss and Alpari share an equal offering of 15 drawing tools for charting and the ability to trade directly from a stock chart. Their watch lists are equally versatile, featuring 7 columns for customization to cater to diverse trading preferences. Both brokers have secured a 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, when assessed by ForexBrokers.com, BDSwiss stands out with a higher ranking at #24 compared to Alpari at #55, despite both offering comparable features. Whether you lean towards BDSwiss or Alpari, you will find a reliable suite of tools and platforms to enhance your trading experience.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
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.
Both BDSwiss and Alpari offer versatile mobile trading apps that cater to traders using iPhones and Android devices. Both platforms allow users to receive stock or forex price alerts and create watchlists with real-time quotes. While neither app supports syncing watchlist symbols with the client's online account, each offers a comprehensive suite of 30 technical studies for chart analysis, along with the ability to draw trendlines and view charts across multiple time frames. However, a key distinction lies in the capability of BDSwiss to auto-save drawings on charts, a feature not available with Alpari.
Despite both apps earning a solid four-star rating for mobile trading, differences emerge when considering rankings. BDSwiss outshines Alpari by securing the 24th spot out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Alpari is positioned at 56th in the same category. This ranking disparity suggests that while both platforms meet essential trading needs, the BDSwiss app may offer a slightly more refined user experience.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
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 comparing the market research offerings of BDSwiss and Alpari, you'll find distinct differences that cater to varied trader needs. BDSwiss shines with its daily market commentary feature, aiding traders in staying updated with regular market insights. While it lacks forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, it compensates with comprehensive tools from Autochartist and Trading Central, which support both technical and fundamental analysis. Additionally, BDSwiss provides an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news events, thus helping them anticipate market movements better. Earning a 4-star research rating and a respectable #24 rank among 63 brokers, BDSwiss emerges as a strong contender for those prioritizing research tools.
On the other hand, Alpari offers a different set of resources that may appeal to those focused on receiving forex news from top-tier sources. Despite the absence of daily market commentary, Alpari delivers news updates from Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, which can be invaluable for traders relying heavily on these insights. Alpari also features tools from Autochartist, though it lacks additional resources from Trading Central. Both brokers provide an economic calendar, enhancing their utility in tracking economic developments. Despite a lower research ranking at #57 and a 3-star rating, Alpari could be more suitable for traders prioritizing news from elite financial media outlets.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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.
When comparing the educational resources provided by BDSwiss and Alpari for beginners, BDSwiss emerges as a more comprehensive choice. Both brokers offer a substantial library with at least 10 educational pieces on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, BDSwiss surpasses Alpari in offering monthly online educational webinars, while Alpari does not provide this feature. Furthermore, BDSwiss supplies a searchable archive of past webinars, an option that Alpari lacks, adding significant value for those who want to revisit the material at their own pace.
In terms of video content, BDSwiss delivers a well-rounded selection for all skill levels, with at least 10 educational videos tailored for beginners and another 10 for advanced traders. On the other hand, Alpari meets the beginner video requirement but falls short in advanced content. Both brokers provide dictionaries with over 50 investment terms, aiding in familiarizing traders with industry jargon. Overall, BDSwiss scores 4 stars compared to Alpari's 3 stars for educational offerings and ranks higher, at 19th place among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Alpari sits at 48th. This illustrates BDSwiss's stronger commitment to nurturing beginner traders with accessible and varied educational resources.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that BDSwiss is better than Alpari. BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
The BDSwiss brand caters to over 1.6 million registered forex and CFD traders, and offers the full MetaTrader platform suite alongside its own proprietary mobile app. BDSwiss demonstrates good order execution statistics and provides access to over 1,000 tradable symbols – though its spreads are higher than industry leaders.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
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Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 68 |
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Both BDSwiss and Alpari do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing the online brokers BDSwiss and Alpari, both offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, while BDSwiss also supports ACH or SEPA transfers, which Alpari does not, and neither broker provides PayPal as a financial transaction method.
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 | BDSwiss | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Regulation | BDSwiss | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2012 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BDSwiss | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | 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) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1081 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 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 | BDSwiss | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | BDSwiss | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10-$5000 | $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 | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Research | BDSwiss | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BDSwiss | 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 | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | BDSwiss | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review |
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