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.
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 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 |
Looking strictly at commissions and fees, FOREX.com earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers, while Alpari earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #42 out of 63. That gap reflects both pricing and transparency: FOREX.com publishes detailed execution stats and multiple pricing options, whereas Alpari does not provide average spread data, making like‑for‑like comparisons harder.
FOREX.com’s Standard account (the only choice for MetaTrader 4 users) carried typical EUR/USD spreads of 1.4 pips in the U.S. as of July 2023; outside the U.S., the EUR/USD averaged 0.74 pips that same month. The newer RAW Spread account (available in the U.S., Canada, and the EU, including on MetaTrader 5) showed typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.13 pips in Feb. 2024, plus a $7 round‑turn commission per standard lot—about 0.7 pips—bringing the estimated all‑in cost to roughly 0.83 pips before rebates. Active‑trader rebates range from $2 to $9 per million, but unless you trade more than $50 million per month, U.S. traders will find all‑in costs on the Commission/RAW setup similar to the Standard account. Extremely high‑volume clients (over $2 billion per month) can reach very low effective spreads.
Alpari’s commissions and fees are harder to benchmark because average spread data is not available. That lack of published figures limits precise comparisons with FOREX.com’s Standard or RAW pricing. Based on our scoring, Alpari’s 4‑star rating and #42 ranking in this category trail FOREX.com’s 4.5‑star, #14 placement, especially for traders who value clear, published spreads, tiered rebates, and transparent cost data.
| 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.
FOREX.com delivers a far broader range of investments, listing about 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, versus Alpari’s 105 symbols and 46 pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs (contracts for difference) or spot contracts, and both offer cryptocurrency derivatives but not actual crypto purchases. Neither supports U.S. exchange-traded securities; however, Alpari does provide access to exchange-traded shares on some international exchanges, while FOREX.com does not. Alpari also offers copy trading, which FOREX.com doesn’t.
For range of investments, ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com at 5 stars and ranks it #7 out of 63 brokers, while Alpari earns 3 stars and ranks #64. Choose FOREX.com if you want the widest selection of markets and symbols; consider Alpari if international exchange-traded shares and copy trading matter more to you.
| 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.
FOREX.com and Alpari are online brokers that both make it easy to start with a free demo account and offer proprietary platforms alongside MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Each provides a Windows desktop download and a web-based platform, and both let you place trades directly from charts. A key difference is copy trading: Alpari offers it, while FOREX.com does not. Neither connects to DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
When it comes to platform tools, FOREX.com stands out with 239 drawing tools and more watchlist fields (20 vs 7), giving you greater flexibility than Alpari’s 15 drawing tools. These strengths are reflected in independent reviews: FOREX.com is rated 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Alpari holds 4 stars and ranks #56. If you want deeper charting and customization, FOREX.com is the stronger pick; if copy trading is a must, Alpari may fit better.
| 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.
Both FOREX.com and Alpari offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, real-time watchlists, drawing trendlines, and viewing charts across multiple time frames—handy for checking the market on the go.
FOREX.com pulls ahead on charting depth and convenience: 88 technical studies (vs. 30 at Alpari), auto-saving chart drawings, and watchlist syncing between the mobile app and your online account. Those extras keep your analysis and symbols consistent across devices. The difference shows in ratings, too—FOREX.com earns 5 stars and ranks #3 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while Alpari holds 4 stars and ranks #57. If you want richer tools and seamless syncing, FOREX.com is the stronger fit; if you only need the basics, Alpari covers core features.
| 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.
Comparing FOREX.com vs. Alpari for market research: FOREX.com offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Trading Central tools, a sentiment-based trading tool that shows long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. Alpari provides forex news from major sources, Autochartist for technical and fundamental ideas, and an economic calendar, but it does not publish daily market commentary, does not include Trading Central, and does not offer a sentiment tool. FOREX.com does not include TipRanks or Acuity Trading; for Alpari, availability of TipRanks and Acuity Trading was not specified.
These differences are reflected in independent ratings: ForexBrokers.com scores FOREX.com at 4.5 out of 5 stars for research (ranked 9th of 63 brokers) versus Alpari at 3 out of 5 stars (ranked 58th of 63). If you want daily insights, Trading Central analysis, and sentiment data in one place, FOREX.com is likely the better fit; if Autochartist is your priority, Alpari may suit your needs.
| 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 | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | 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 |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 68 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill