Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets 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.
When comparing online brokers, CMC Markets and Alpari present some clear distinctions in their regulatory standings. CMC Markets, founded in 1989, is publicly traded and boasts a perfect Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating a high level of trust and safety. This broker holds five Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license. In contrast, Alpari, which was established in 1998, does not share the same public trading status and holds neither Tier-1 nor Tier-2 licenses. It has a Trust Score of 68, placing it in the high-risk category.
Neither CMC Markets nor Alpari operate as banks; however, the regulatory credentials highlight CMC Markets as a more secure and regulated choice for traders. Investors prioritizing trust and safety may lean towards CMC Markets due to its high regulatory compliance and the added transparency of being publicly traded on a stock exchange. Alpari, while a viable option, may appeal less to those concerned about the absence of high-level regulatory licensing and the securities provided by a higher Trust Score.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
CMC Markets stands out as a leader in terms of commissions and fees, earning the top spot in our 2025 Annual Awards for this category. With a star rating of 5 out of 5 and ranked #1 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets offers consistently low spreads, especially for the EUR/USD pair, where the typical spread is only 0.61 pips. The broker's new Price Plus Scheme provides active traders with additional savings opportunities through Trading Points, granting a 20% spread discount at its most beneficial tier. Moreover, CMC Markets has implemented FX Active, a commission-based pricing model with minimal spreads and competitive all-in costs, further enhancing its appeal for forex traders.
On the other hand, Alpari, with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #41 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees, offers a different proposition. Unfortunately, detailed average spread data for Alpari is not available, which may pose a challenge for traders focused on evaluating trading costs. While Alpari remains a reputable broker, the lack of specific pricing data and a lower overall ranking indicates that it may not match the cost-effectiveness offered by top-tier brokers like CMC Markets.
Ultimately, traders looking to optimize their trading costs may find CMC Markets more appealing due to its transparent pricing and top-tier ranking. With innovative programs like FX Active and the extensive support for active traders, CMC Markets cements its position as a preferred choice for those seeking low commissions and fees. In contrast, Alpari might still be suitable for traders with different priorities, despite its comparatively lower ranking and lack of specific pricing details.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets and Alpari both offer forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, providing flexibility for forex enthusiasts. However, when it comes to the variety of investments available, CMC Markets clearly takes the lead with an impressive array of 11,925 tradeable symbols compared to Alpari's 105. When focusing on forex pairs alone, CMC Markets offers 156, surpassing Alpari's 46 pairs. Additionally, CMC Markets provides the opportunity to invest directly in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, letting clients buy shares like Apple and Vodafone. On the other hand, Alpari only offers access to international markets but lacks the ability to trade U.S. exchange-listed securities.
Both platforms support copy trading, allowing users to mimic the trading strategies of experienced investors. They also provide options for cryptocurrency derivatives but not for acquiring the actual cryptocurrencies. Based on their range of investments, CMC Markets earns a top-tier rating of 5 stars, ranking #9 out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. Alpari, with a more limited investment range, garners a 3-star rating and is ranked #63. These distinctions highlight CMC Markets as a more comprehensive platform for those seeking a broader spectrum of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 CMC Markets and Alpari, both brokers offer comprehensive options for traders. They each provide virtual demo accounts, allowing users to engage in simulated trading to practice their strategies without financial risk. Both brokers have developed their proprietary platforms, catering to traders looking for unique features and interfaces. Whether you prefer Windows-based desktop applications or browser-based trading, both CMC Markets and Alpari have you covered. Additionally, they offer support for well-known platforms MetaTrader 4 and MT5, as well as copy trading functionality. While neither broker provides DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, their platform offerings remain versatile.
In terms of charting tools, there's a noted difference in the number of drawing tools each broker offers, with CMC Markets providing 40 compared to Alpari’s 15. Both allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, ensuring seamless interaction. When it comes to watch lists, CMC Markets offers more customization with 11 columns allowing for detailed tracking compared to the 7 columns offered by Alpari. Reflecting this robust suite of tools and features, CMC Markets receives a higher rating of 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Alpari is rated 4 stars and holds the 55th position, highlighting CMC Markets as a leader in trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
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) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and Alpari, both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of traders. They also support stock and forex price alerts, which keeps users informed of market moves. However, a key difference lies in the synchronization of watchlists; CMC Markets offers seamless syncing between the mobile app and the client’s online account, whereas Alpari lacks this feature. CMC Markets also stands out with the ability to auto-save drawings on stock or forex charts, enhancing the user experience by preserving valuable chart analysis.
For traders seeking technical insights, Alpari boasts a slight edge with 30 technical studies compared to CMC Markets’ 29. Both brokers allow trendline drawing and viewing of multiple time frames on charts in their mobile apps. Additionally, each broker supports watchlists with real-time quotes. In terms of rankings, CMC Markets is highly regarded, earning a 5-star rating and securing the 5th spot out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Alpari, with its 4-star rating, is positioned at 56th, highlighting CMC Markets as a favorite for users prioritizing advanced app capabilities and user-friendly features.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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 evaluating the research offerings of online brokers, CMC Markets stands out compared to Alpari. CMC Markets provides daily market commentary, which Alpari does not. Both brokers offer forex news from renowned sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, and they each utilize Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis tools. However, CMC Markets further enhances its research capabilities with a sentiment-based trading tool that indicates the ratio of long or short positions across various financial instruments, a feature not available with Alpari.
Both CMC Markets and Alpari offer an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global events. However, neither broker provides market research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. For research, CMC Markets earns an impressive 5-star rating, ranking sixth out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Alpari trails with a 3-star rating and a rank of 57. These differences highlight CMC Markets as a more comprehensive choice for traders seeking in-depth market analysis.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, CMC Markets and Alpari both offer a wealth of materials to help new traders get started with confidence. Both platforms provide a minimum of ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, while both brokers refrain from offering monthly live educational webinars, CMC Markets stands out by offering a searchable archive of previously recorded sessions, ensuring that learners can access valuable material on their schedule. Moreover, both platforms cater to different expertise levels, delivering at least ten beginner-friendly educational videos.
CMC Markets goes a step further by providing content for advanced learners, offering at least ten videos for experienced traders, whereas Alpari does not meet this advanced education criterion. Both brokers have robust investor dictionaries with definitions of over fifty investing terms, which is vital for building foundational knowledge. CMC Markets' commitment to education is reflected in its 5-star rating and a commendable 10th place ranking out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Alpari holds a 3-star rating and ranks 48th in the same educational category, highlighting CMC Markets as the more comprehensive choice for those starting their trading journey.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 CMC Markets is better than Alpari. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 |
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Both CMC Markets and Alpari do not provide the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and Alpari, CMC Markets provides greater flexibility with payment options by supporting ACH, SEPA, and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, whereas Alpari does not support these methods but offers Skrill instead; both brokers accept Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers.
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 | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | 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 | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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 | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 | CMC Markets | 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 | CMC Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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