Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IronFX 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.
Founded in 2010, IronFX stands out in the online brokerage landscape with three Tier-1 licenses, marking it as a trusted option for traders. With a Trust Score of 83 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, IronFX earns a 'trusted' rating. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, its regulatory framework reassures users by aligning with high standards, enhancing its credibility in the financial market.
Conversely, Alpari, established in 1998, operates with no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses. This lack of top-tier regulatory endorsements is reflected in its Trust Score of 68, categorizing it as high risk according to ForexBrokers.com ratings. Like IronFX, Alpari is neither publicly traded nor a bank, but its lower regulatory alignment could be a point of concern for potential investors comparing their options in the field of online brokerage platforms.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees between IronFX and Alpari, both online brokers are given a 4-star rating for their pricing structures. However, there are some essential distinctions in their fee setups and market rankings. IronFX's spreads can be on the higher side, with a typical spread of 1.8 pips for their Standard variable spread account. For their zero fixed-spread account, the spread begins at zero, yet comes with an $18 commission per lot and widens to 3 pips overnight.
While Alpari currently lacks average spread data, it still earns the same 4-star rating as IronFX for its commissions and fees. In terms of ranking, Alpari fares slightly better, holding the 41st position out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. IronFX, by contrast, is placed at the 47th position, suggesting there is room for improvement in its pricing structure.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
When comparing IronFX and Alpari for their range of investment options, IronFX provides a wider array with 340 tradeable symbols, significantly surpassing Alpari's 105 symbols. Both platforms support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but IronFX offers nearly double the tradeable forex pairs at 83 versus Alpari's 46. Neither broker allows the purchase of U.S. exchange-traded securities or actual cryptocurrencies. However, they both facilitate trading with cryptocurrency derivatives and offer copy trading features to mimic experienced traders' strategies.
While Alpari permits the purchase of exchange-traded securities on international exchanges like Vodafone's shares on the London Stock Exchange, IronFX does not. In terms of ratings, IronFX edges out with a 3.5-star rating for range of investments, whereas Alpari holds a 3-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, IronFX is ranked 51st out of 62 brokers for investment range, offering a broader selection compared to Alpari, which sits at the 62nd position.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 340 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 83 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
IronFX and Alpari both provide simulated trading with free demo accounts, making it easy for newcomers to practice without financial risk. Though neither broker features DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, both support copy trading. When it comes to trading platforms, IronFX offers Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms but does not have a proprietary option, while Alpari presents its own in-house developed platform alongside similar conventional options. Alpari also supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5), giving it a slight edge for those seeking the latest features, whereas IronFX only offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4).
Both brokers equip traders with the ability to trade directly from stock charts and provide the same number of drawing tools, a total of 15. Their watchlists also feature an identical array of seven columns. However, in terms of overall ratings for trading platforms and tools, IronFX scores 3.5 stars, and Alpari slightly outperforms with 4 stars. This edge is reflected in their rankings, where Alpari is positioned at #55, and IronFX trails at #60 out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that although both offer similar functionalities, Alpari's additional features and proprietary platform might offer a more refined trading experience.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IronFX and Alpari, both platforms offer comprehensive features for traders. Each provides iPhone and Android apps with alerts for stock or forex prices, allowing traders to stay informed on market movements. They both feature versatile charting tools with 30 technical studies and support for drawing trendlines, accessing multiple time frames, and creating watchlists with real-time quotes. However, IronFX scores a slight edge by auto-saving chart drawings, a feature not available on Alpari's app. This could be a valuable convenience for traders who frequently make and refer to chart annotations on the go.
Despite the functional similarities, ratings and rankings reveal a different story. IronFX's mobile app garners a 3.5-star rating, placing it at 61 out of 62 in ForexBrokers.com's rankings. Conversely, Alpari's app enjoys a higher rating of 4 stars and ranks 56th. While neither app supports watchlist symbol syncing between devices and online accounts, Alpari's higher ranking suggests a more favorable user experience or feature set deemed valuable by the broader trading community. This distinction provides a critical factor for traders choosing between the two based on mobile trading capabilities.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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 offerings, IronFX shines with its daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Though it lacks tools from Autochartist, it compensates with technical analysis tools from Trading Central and provides a comprehensive economic calendar to keep traders informed of global news events. These features contribute to IronFX’s solid reputation, earning it a research rating of 4 stars and ranking it 28th out of 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Alpari does not provide daily market commentary, but like IronFX, it offers forex news from esteemed sources. An advantage for Alpari is its inclusion of Autochartist tools, which cater to both technical and fundamental analysis. However, it lacks Trading Central's tools and also does not offer sentiment-based trading features or market analysis from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, similar to IronFX. Alpari's research efforts are recognized with a 3-star rating, placing it 57th out of 62 brokers in the research category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
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 | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing educational resources for beginners offered by IronFX and Alpari, both brokers provide more than 10 pieces of educational content on forex or CFDs. This material may include articles, videos, or archived webinars focused on trading. IronFX stands out by offering a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, giving users access to past educational sessions—a feature Alpari lacks. However, neither broker offers live webinars for clients. For beginners looking to learn through videos, both platforms provide at least 10 beginner-friendly videos that cover trading topics, though advanced educational content is limited on both sides.
In terms of supplementary resources, IronFX and Alpari both offer investor dictionaries with definitions for over 50 investment terms. Despite these similarities, IronFX edges out slightly higher in educational offerings with a rating of four stars, compared to Alpari's three stars. When evaluated against 62 other brokers at ForexBrokers.com, IronFX ranks 44th in the Education category, performing slightly better than Alpari, which is ranked 48th. Therefore, for beginners seeking comprehensive educational resources from their broker, IronFX appears to have a slight advantage over Alpari.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | 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 IronFX is better than Alpari. IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
IronFX has come a long way to rebuild its brand, acquiring multiple regulatory licenses to improve its Trust Score, and creating balanced educational material. That said, pricing is an area where IronFX has room to further improve as spreads appeared higher than the industry average.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 68 |
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Both IronFX and Alpari do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
IronFX and Alpari both support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, but neither offer ACH, SEPA, or PayPal as options for account funding.
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 | IronFX | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) | |||
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| Regulation | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 83 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IronFX | 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) | IronFX | 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 | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 340 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 83 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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 | IronFX | 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 | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IronFX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IronFX | 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 |
| Overall | IronFX | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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