Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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.
IG and Alpari are two prominent players in the online brokerage world, each with distinct offerings and levels of trustworthiness. Established in 1974, IG is a time-tested institution, publicly traded, and recognized as a bank. In contrast, Alpari, founded in 1998, is neither publicly traded nor a bank. IG boasts an impressive collection of regulatory credentials with 8 Tier-1 licenses, deemed highly trusted, and 2 Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a strong level of overall trust. Meanwhile, Alpari holds no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, highlighting differences in regulatory oversight.
The Trust Score ratings by ForexBrokers.com further emphasize this gap, as IG holds a near-perfect score of 99, ranking it as a highly trusted broker. Alpari, on the other hand, has a score of 68, which places it in the high-risk category. These factors can play a crucial role for users in selecting a broker as IG offers stronger assurances in terms of safety and reliability compared to Alpari. With IG’s extensive regulatory backing and status as a publicly traded bank, it stands out as a compelling choice for those prioritizing trust and transparency.
| Feature |
IG
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers IG and Alpari, IG stands out with its diverse execution methods that cater to various trading needs. IG offers competitive spreads and flexible trading conditions, particularly for active traders who use its Forex Direct accounts. During July 2023, the average spread on IG's main Forex Direct account was about 0.62 pips, resulting in an all-in cost of 0.82 pips when factoring in the per trade commission. IG's CFD accounts also provide attractive average spreads, which were 0.69 pips during the main trading hours. Active traders can benefit from rebates up to 20% on their spreads, depending on their trading volume. Overall, IG earned an impressive 5-star rating and holds the 8th position out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category, according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Alpari's commission and fees details are less transparent, and average spread data is not readily available. While Alpari still maintains a respectable performance, earning a 4-star rating, it is ranked 41st out of 62 brokers in the same category. This indicates that while Alpari offers competitive fees, it does not match the level of detail and options provided by IG for professional and active traders.
In summary, IG is a strong choice for traders seeking detailed and flexible fee structures and rebates, especially for those engaging in high-volume trading. The comprehensive range of account options and competitive pricing tiers make it an appealing option. Meanwhile, Alpari provides reliable service at its level, but may not offer the same competitive edge as IG in terms of commission and fee transparency and flexibility.
| Feature |
IG
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 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 IG and Alpari in terms of their range of investments, IG emerges as a more versatile option for traders. IG offers an extensive array of 19,537 tradeable symbols, which includes 97 forex pairs, enabling investors to diversify their portfolios significantly. Traders can also buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, giving them access to popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone. Moreover, IG allows trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, although it doesn’t provide options for purchasing actual cryptocurrencies or copy trading. Rated 5 stars for its range of investments, IG holds a prominent #4 rank among 62 brokers, reflecting its broad and varied offerings.
In contrast, Alpari offers a more limited selection with 105 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs. Alpari doesn’t provide opportunities to buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but it does allow for trading on international exchanges. While Alpari supports cryptocurrency derivatives and provides a copy trading feature for those interested in mirroring the trades of others, it, too, does not facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Alpari’s range of investment offerings earns it a 3-star rating and positions it at #62 out of 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, indicating a narrower scope compared to IG.
| Feature |
IG
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 IG and Alpari on their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, which is perfect for beginners looking to practice without any financial risk. Each broker has developed a proprietary platform alongside providing access to the popular MetaTrader 4. While both offer trading platforms that can be downloaded on Windows and accessed via web browsers, Alpari provides copy trading services and supports MetaTrader 5, whereas IG does not. However, IG’s highly-rated platform boasts more advanced charting tools and features, offering 20 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts.
IG offers a superior user experience with well-rated trading platforms, earning an impressive 5-star rating from ForexBrokers.com, and securing the second spot in their rankings out of 62 brokers. On the other hand, Alpari, while offering some unique features such as copy trading, has a 4-star rating and ranks 55th. IG users can also benefit from organized watch lists with five columns, and extensive charting functionalities, positioning IG as a more favorable choice for traders prioritizing advanced tools and seamless navigation.
| Feature |
IG
|
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) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both IG and Alpari offer apps for iPhone and Android devices, ensuring accessibility and convenience for traders on the go. Both platforms also provide essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts, with multiple time frames available for comprehensive analysis. However, IG stands out with its advanced watchlist functionality that syncs seamlessly with a client's online account, a feature not available with Alpari. Additionally, IG supports 33 technical studies for charting, slightly more than Alpari's 30, and its app auto-saves chart drawings, further enhancing user experience.
Watchlist creation with real-time quotes is supported by both IG and Alpari, but IG edges ahead with a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading apps, compared to Alpari's 4-star rating. In a competitive field of 62 brokers, IG is ranked #1 for mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, representing the highest standard in mobile trading platforms. Meanwhile, Alpari is positioned at #56, indicating that while it provides a functional mobile app experience, it doesn't quite match the accolades and user satisfaction received by IG’s offering.
| Feature |
IG
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 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, IG stands out by offering a wealth of resources to its users. It provides daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have access to the latest information. Additionally, IG boasts multiple technical analysis and research tools from Autochartist, sentiment-based trading tools for analyzing long and short positions, and insightful market research from TipRanks. The availability of tools from Acuity Trading, including Signal Centre, further enhances IG's offerings. An economic calendar detailing global news events adds to its comprehensive suite of research tools. This extensive range of resources has earned IG a top-tier rating of 5 stars for research quality, securing the number 2 spot among 62 brokers ranked by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Alpari provides a more limited selection of market research options. While it does offer forex news from renowned sources such as Bloomberg and an economic calendar for global events, it lacks daily market commentary and sentiment-based trading tools, which might be valuable to traders. Alpari also trails in the availability of research tools from companies like TipRanks and Acuity Trading, which are absent from its roster. Although Alpari shares the same Autochartist tools as IG, the overall range of market research features is narrower. This reflects in its research rating of 3 stars and its lower ranking of 57th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, spotlighting room for improvement in its market research offerings.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, IG stands out as a comprehensive option for aspiring traders. IG offers a wide range of materials, including over ten educational articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. New traders can further benefit from IG's regular online educational webinars, held monthly, providing insights and guidance on trading strategies. These sessions, along with a searchable archive of recorded webinars, ensure that newcomers always have access to valuable learning experiences. For those at the start of their trading journey, IG also provides more than ten beginner-focused educational videos, complemented by a dictionary that explains over 50 investing terms. Ranked #1 by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, IG receives a full 5-star rating for its commitment to trader education.
In comparison, Alpari also offers over ten educational pieces centered on forex and CFDs, along with beginner educational videos. However, its resources for advanced traders are more limited, as it does not meet the threshold for advanced educational videos. Unlike IG, Alpari does not offer monthly online webinars or a searchable archive of past webinars, which might limit its appeal to those seeking ongoing educational events. While Alpari also provides a dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, it holds a 3-star rating for education and is ranked #48 by ForexBrokers.com. For traders seeking a more expansive educational platform, IG appears to offer a richer experience compared to Alpari.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than Alpari. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
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Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 |
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Both IG and Alpari do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Comparing online brokers IG and Alpari, IG supports ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for account deposits and withdrawals, whereas Alpari lacks ACH or SEPA and PayPal options but offers Skrill alongside Visa or Mastercard and bank wire services, highlighting flexibility in transaction methods between the two platforms.
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 | IG | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Alpari | |
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| Regulation | IG | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | IG | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $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 | IG | 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | 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 | 33 | 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 | IG | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | 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 | IG | 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 | IG Review |
| Overall | IG | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
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