Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs Alpari, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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When comparing FOREX.com and Alpari, it's important to consider their regulatory credentials and trust ratings. FOREX.com, established in 1999, is listed on a stock exchange, highlighting its transparency and established presence in the financial market. In contrast, Alpari, founded in 1998, is not publicly traded. Both brokers are not banks, but when it comes to regulatory trust, FOREX.com stands out with seven Tier-1 licenses, considered highly trustworthy, and one Tier-2 license. This contributes to its impressive Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating it is seen as highly reliable in the industry.
On the other hand, Alpari holds neither Tier-1 nor Tier-2 licenses, which contributes to its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 68 out of 99. This score places Alpari in the high-risk category, suggesting there might be some concerns regarding its regulatory oversight compared to FOREX.com. When choosing a broker, such trust scores and regulatory standings are crucial factors for investors concerned with safety and reliability in their trading activities.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FOREX.com and Alpari, it's clear that both brokers offer distinct advantages. FOREX.com, a top pick among market maker brokers, provides multiple execution methods and account types. Though their spreads for U.S. customers are on the higher side, averaging 1.4 pips on EUR/USD pairs, they present a more competitive option outside of the U.S. with spreads averaging 0.74 pips. Their RAW Spread account offers lower spreads around 0.13 pips, but these come with per-trade commissions. Notably, for very high-volume traders with turnover exceeding $2 billion per month, FOREX.com offers competitive spreads similar to some industry leaders. FOREX.com holds a solid 4.5-star rating and ranks 13th out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category.
Alpari, while lacking detailed average spread data, provides a more straightforward commission structure compared to FOREX.com. Alpari earns a 4-star rating and ranks 41st out of 63 brokers when it comes to commissions and fees. This ranking reflects a balanced offering, making it an appealing option for traders who seek simplicity and reliability at competitive pricing. While it may not have the breadth of options that FOREX.com provides, its more straightforward commission structure could suit those less focused on high-volume trading or complex account types.
Consider that FOREX.com, with its wide array of account types, may appeal to those looking for more customizable and advanced trading options, particularly for global customers. In contrast, Alpari's simpler structure and slightly lower rating might be suitable for traders looking for straightforward, competitive pricing without the complexity of additional fees or commissions. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on your trading volume and need for diverse trading tools.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 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.
When comparing the investment choices between FOREX.com and Alpari, you'll notice some striking differences. FOREX.com impresses with a staggering 5,500 tradeable symbols and offers 80 forex pairs, providing a broad spectrum for traders to explore. In contrast, Alpari presents a more modest selection with 105 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs. Both platforms allow users to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither provides the option to purchase real cryptocurrencies. Additionally, they don't offer exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges.
Alpari, however, sets itself apart by offering securities on international exchanges, something FOREX.com does not provide. Copy trading is another feature where Alpari has an edge, simplifying the process of imitating successful strategies. Despite these offerings, FOREX.com still leads with a five-star rating in the Range of Investments category, significantly outperforming Alpari's three-star score. With a ranking of #7 by ForexBrokers.com amongst 63 brokers, FOREX.com offers a diverse array of investment options, leaving Alpari trailing at the #63 spot. This wider scope might appeal to those looking for a more varied trading experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 FOREX.com and Alpari on their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide an array of options for traders. They each offer free demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading with virtual funds. Both brokers also provide proprietary platforms developed in-house, along with MT4 and MT5, popular platforms for seasoned traders. They are accessible as desktop downloads for Windows and as web-based platforms, providing flexibility for different trading preferences. However, only Alpari supports copy trading, a feature sought by individuals looking to mimic successful traders. Neither broker offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, which might limit options for those who prefer these services. FOREX.com stands out with significantly more drawing tools for charting at 239 compared to Alpari's 15, providing a richer toolset for technical analysis.
FOREX.com allows for direct trading from stock charts, a feature also matched by Alpari, creating a streamlined process for traders. In terms of managing watch lists, FOREX.com excels with 20 columns, offering more detailed oversight compared to Alpari's 7 columns. These differences contribute to FOREX.com's higher rating of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, as opposed to Alpari's 4 stars. Impressively, FOREX.com is ranked 7th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for this category, while Alpari is positioned at 55th. This discrepancy highlights FOREX.com’s superior offerings in tools and platform functionalities, providing traders with a comprehensive and user-friendly trading experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of FOREX.com and Alpari, both brokers offer applications for iPhone and Android platforms, ensuring accessibility for users on various devices. While they both provide stock or forex price alerts, FOREX.com takes the lead in watchlist management with its syncing capability. This feature allows changes made on mobile or online platforms to be reflected across both, a convenience not currently available with Alpari. Moreover, FOREX.com's mobile app impresses with its 88 technical studies for charting, compared to the 30 studies offered by Alpari. Both brokers allow drawing trendlines and viewing different timeframes on charts, but only FOREX.com's app automatically saves these drawings.
For those interested in watchlists with real-time quotes, both FOREX.com and Alpari cater to this need. However, FOREX.com is rated 5 stars for its mobile trading app, compared to Alpari's 4 stars. FOREX.com's app ranks third out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, while Alpari's app stands at rank 56. This ranking reflects FOREX.com's superior offerings and user experience in the realm of mobile trading. Overall, FOREX.com's feature-rich app makes it a favorable choice for those seeking a more comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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 it comes to market research, FOREX.com and Alpari offer different sets of tools and resources for traders. FOREX.com stands out for its daily market commentary and access to top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. This platform also provides comprehensive sentiment-based trading tools and technical analysis features through Trading Central. Additionally, FOREX.com includes an economic calendar for keeping track of global market events. With these offerings, FOREX.com is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for research and ranks 9th out of 63 brokers, showcasing its strong position in the market research category.
On the other hand, Alpari does not provide daily market commentary, but it does deliver forex news from top-tier sources similar to FOREX.com. Alpari offers research tools from Autochartist, which can aid traders in analyzing market trends. However, it lacks the sentiment-based trading tools and Trading Central's technical analysis features which FOREX.com users benefit from. Like FOREX.com, Alpari supplies an economic calendar, though it holds a lower research rating of 3 stars and ranks 57th out of 63 brokers. Overall, both platforms cater to traders’ research needs in varying capacities, with FOREX.com offering a wider array of tools to support informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 comparing FOREX.com and Alpari for beginner-friendly educational resources, both platforms provide at least ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs. However, FOREX.com sets itself apart by offering monthly online educational webinars, which are not available with Alpari. Additionally, FOREX.com provides a searchable archive of these webinars for users who want to access past sessions, an option that Alpari does not offer.
For visual learners, both brokers deliver a minimum of ten beginner educational videos. Nonetheless, FOREX.com extends its offerings with at least ten advanced videos tailored for more experienced traders, while Alpari lacks this feature. Both brokers maintain an investor dictionary with over fifty terms, benefiting those new to investment jargon. In terms of ratings, FOREX.com earns higher recognition with a 4.5-star rating, placing fourth out of 63 brokers in educational resources, compared to Alpari's 3-star rating and 48th place ranking.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than Alpari. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 |
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Both FOREX.com and Alpari do not provide the capability to purchase actual cryptocurrency, but they do offer trading opportunities through cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing the deposit and withdrawal options between FOREX.com and Alpari, FOREX.com stands out by offering ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, whereas Alpari provides Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, but lacks support for ACH, SEPA, and PayPal.
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 | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
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