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 |
eToro is a market‑maker forex broker that lists a typical variable spread of about 1 pip on EUR/USD, which is slightly higher than the industry average. Traders don’t usually pick eToro for the tightest spreads; they’re often attracted by its social copy-trading features. For commissions and fees, eToro is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranked #23 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Its eToro Club (Silver to Diamond) caters to balances from $5,000 to $250,000 and can reduce non-trading costs with perks like discounted withdrawal and deposit fees, access to Trading Central, and a dedicated account manager.
Alpari does not publish average spread data, so it’s harder to gauge typical trading costs at a glance. Even so, it earns 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #42 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In a head‑to‑head comparison, eToro offers more transparent, published pricing and optional VIP discounts on certain fees, while Alpari’s lack of average spread figures leaves more uncertainty around day‑to‑day costs.
| 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 delivers far more investment choices than Alpari, with 5,461 tradable symbols versus Alpari’s 105. Both brokers support forex either as CFDs or spot, with eToro offering 55 currency pairs and Alpari 46. For stocks, eToro lets clients buy real, exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international markets (think Apple or Vodafone), while Alpari offers real international shares but not U.S.-listed ones. Both provide copy trading. In crypto, eToro supports buying actual coins as well as crypto derivatives, whereas Alpari limits clients to crypto derivatives only.
Reflecting this wider market coverage, eToro earns 5 stars and is ranked #11 by ForexBrokers.com for Range of Investments. Alpari receives 3 stars and is ranked #64 in this category.
| 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.
eToro and Alpari both let you practice with a free demo (paper) account and use their own proprietary platforms along with web-based trading. eToro focuses on an easy browser experience and social/copy trading, but it doesn’t have a Windows desktop app and it doesn’t support MetaTrader. Alpari, by contrast, offers a Windows desktop platform and supports both MT4 and MT5, while also providing web trading and copy trading. Neither broker integrates DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
For charting tools, eToro lists 161 drawing tools, while Alpari lists 15; indicator totals weren’t specified for either broker. Only Alpari lets you place trades directly from a chart. Watch lists are straightforward on both, with 6 columns on eToro and 7 on Alpari. In independent testing of trading platforms and tools, eToro earned 4.5/5 stars and ranked #8 out of 63 brokers, while Alpari earned 4/5 stars and ranked #56. This snapshot can help you choose the platform and toolset that best fits your style.
| 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 offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, complete with real-time watchlists, price alerts, and multiple time frames for charts. eToro stands out for syncing watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while Alpari does not sync watchlists. For charting, eToro packs in 104 technical studies compared with Alpari’s 30, but Alpari lets you draw trendlines on mobile charts, which eToro lacks. Neither app auto-saves chart drawings.
In independent reviews, eToro’s mobile app earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Alpari scores 4 stars and ranks #57. Choose eToro if you want more indicators and seamless watchlist syncing; pick Alpari if on-chart drawing tools matter most. Both apps cover the essentials for forex and stock traders on the go.
| 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.
In the eToro vs Alpari market research lineup, eToro covers daily market commentary, Trading Central analytics, a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning, TipRanks insights, and an economic calendar. It does not stream top-tier news (like Bloomberg or Reuters) and does not include Autochartist or Acuity Trading tools. Alpari skips daily commentary but does provide top-tier forex news and Autochartist, plus an economic calendar. It does not include Trading Central or a sentiment tool, and availability of TipRanks or Acuity Trading is not indicated.
For overall research quality, eToro is rated 4.5/5 stars and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Alpari holds 3/5 stars and ranks #58 out of 63. If you value daily commentary, Trading Central, and sentiment data, eToro is the stronger pick; if integrated news feeds and Autochartist matter more, Alpari has those covered.
| 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 | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | 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
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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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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) |
| 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 | ||
| 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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