Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro 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 eToro and Alpari, the year of establishment and regulatory credentials are key considerations for traders. eToro, founded in 2007 and publicly traded, boasts a high level of trust with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96. The company is widely recognized for its regulatory compliance, holding three Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. These credentials highlight eToro's commitment to providing a secure trading environment, making it a favored choice among investors seeking reliability.
Conversely, Alpari, established in 1998, is not publicly traded and its regulatory status reflects more risk, earning a Trust Score of 68 from ForexBrokers.com. Lacking both Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses, Alpari poses a higher risk compared to eToro. While both brokers are not classified as banks, eToro's strong regulatory framework and higher Trust Score position it as a more secure option for those looking for a trusted online broker.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, eToro stands as a slightly higher option for spreads. As a market-maker broker, eToro lists a typical variable spread of 1 pip on the EUR/USD, which tends to be above the industry average. Retail traders often choose eToro not primarily for its spreads but for its unique social copy trading platform. For those interested in more exclusive benefits, eToro offers a VIP Club with membership tiers ranging from Silver to Diamond, contingent on maintaining account balances between $5,000 and $250,000. These VIP tiers offer advantages like access to Trading Central, reduced withdrawal and deposit fees, and the services of a dedicated account manager.
In contrast, Alpari does not provide average spread data, making direct comparison based on spreads more challenging. Both platforms offer different sets of advantages with Alpari focusing less on social trading and more on traditional trading offerings. When considering their ratings, eToro earns a 4.5-star ranking for its commissions and fees, placing it at number 22 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Alpari, though slightly lower in rankings, still holds a 4-star rating, coming in at number 41 in the same category.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
eToro and Alpari both provide forex trading as a CFD or spot contract. However, when it comes to the variety of tradeable symbols, eToro clearly leads with a whopping 5,461 options compared to Alpari's more modest offering of 105. In terms of forex pairs, eToro has a slight edge, providing 55 pairs as opposed to Alpari's 46. Additionally, eToro offers clients the chance to invest in exchange traded securities, including popular U.S. stocks like Apple, whereas Alpari does not offer access to U.S. exchange traded securities but does allow trading on some international exchanges like the London Stock Exchange.
For those interested in cryptocurrencies, eToro stands out by allowing investors to buy actual cryptocurrencies, besides offering cryptocurrency derivatives. Alpari, on the other hand, only provides derivatives and not the actual cryptocurrencies. Both brokers support copy trading. eToro garners a stellar 5-star rating and ranks 10th out of 63 brokers for the range of investments according to ForexBrokers.com, while Alpari is rated 3 stars and ranks last in the same category. These differences highlight eToro's broader appeal to investors seeking diverse investment opportunities.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 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) | Yes | 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 considering eToro and Alpari for trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer unique advantages depending on your needs. eToro provides a user-friendly experience with its proprietary and web-based trading platforms. It also supports innovative features like a virtual demo account and copy trading to help investors get started smoothly. Although eToro lacks support for popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, it shines with an impressive 161 drawing tools for charting. In comparison, Alpari provides multiple platform options, including their in-house and Windows-based desktop platforms, as well as MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are favorites among experienced traders. Alpari accommodates traders who prefer a more traditional approach, with the ability to trade directly from stock charts.
While both brokers enable simulated trading with free demo accounts, there's a noticeable difference in rankings and ratings. eToro boasts a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 8th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its trading platforms and tools, showing its strength in innovation and user satisfaction. Alpari, on the other hand, has a 4-star rating and is positioned 55th, indicating it may offer fewer modern features but still provides a strong traditional trading environment. Each broker brings something distinct to the table, making the choice between them dependent on the specific requirements of the trader.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both eToro and Alpari provide mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring that traders can access their platforms from a variety of devices. These mobile apps offer a range of essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, as well as the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, eToro offers superior integration with its online platform by enabling watchlist symbol syncing, meaning any changes made on the app are reflected across devices, a feature that Alpari lacks. When it comes to customizing and analyzing charts, eToro stands out by offering 104 technical studies, whereas Alpari provides just 30. However, Alpari offers the ability to draw trendlines, which eToro does not.
Both apps support viewing multiple time frames (daily, weekly, or intraday), although neither app currently has the capability to auto-save drawings on charts. When assessing the overall user ratings, eToro scores slightly higher with a 4.5-star rating compared to Alpari's 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, eToro ranks 10th out of 63 brokers for its mobile trading app, while Alpari is placed much lower at 56th. Overall, while both platforms offer reliable mobile trading solutions, eToro appears to deliver a slightly more enhanced and integrated experience for users.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing eToro to Alpari for market research, eToro stands out with its daily market commentary and a variety of research tools. It offers insights from Trading Central and a sentiment-based trading tool, which help users gauge market trends. While eToro does not provide forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, it compensates with market research from TipRanks. Users can also make use of its detailed economic calendar to stay updated on global news events. Overall, eToro is highly regarded for its research capabilities, earning a 4.5-star rating and ranking 13th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Alpari, on the other hand, delivers forex news from respected sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, providing an edge in timely news updates. It also features technical analysis tools from Autochartist and offers a robust economic calendar. However, Alpari lacks some of the trading tools and market insights that eToro boasts, such as sentiment-based trading tools or support from Trading Central and TipRanks. This results in a more modest research offering, reflected in its 3-star rating and 57th ranking in the research category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When looking at the educational resources provided by eToro and Alpari, beginners in the trading world will find distinct differences between the two brokers. eToro prides itself on offering a wide array of educational content, including over ten articles, videos, or archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. Additionally, new traders can benefit from eToro's regular monthly webinars and the facility to browse through a comprehensive archive of past sessions. Alpari, on the other hand, does provide educational pieces in forex and CFDs, as well as beginner videos, but falls short in offering regular webinars and an archived collection, potentially limiting the ongoing learning experience.
Further differentiating the two, eToro extends its educational resources with advanced videos tailored for experienced traders, and an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, helping users to deepen their understanding. Alpari, while offering a dictionary of investing terms, does not provide advanced educational videos in the same capacity. This robust educational framework contributes to eToro's high rating of 4.5 stars out of five for education and its impressive ranking of #5 out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Alpari, with a more limited educational offering, receives a rating of 3 stars and a ranking of #48 in the same category. Enthusiastic learners aiming to bolster their trading knowledge might lean towards eToro's extensive educational provision.
| Feature |
eToro
|
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 eToro is better than Alpari. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 |
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eToro allows users to buy actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Alpari only provides the option to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
eToro offers a wider range of deposit and withdrawal options compared to Alpari, supporting ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, as well as Visa and Mastercard, whereas Alpari lacks ACH and SEPA support but still allows transactions via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, which are also supported by eToro.
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 | eToro | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | Alpari | |
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| Regulation | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | 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) | 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) | eToro | 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 | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 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) | Yes | 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 | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | 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 | 104 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | 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 | eToro | 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 | eToro Review |
| Overall | eToro | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
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