Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.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.
Founded in 1999, Markets.com stands out as a highly trusted online broker with a Trust Score of 93 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, Markets.com has earned a solid reputation thanks to its three Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, providing traders with confidence in its reliability and regulatory compliance.
In contrast, Alpari, which began operations a year earlier in 1998, has a Trust Score of 68. Alpari is also not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. However, unlike Markets.com, Alpari lacks Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, which indicates a higher risk profile as per ForexBrokers.com standards. This difference in regulatory credentials highlights the need for potential traders to thoroughly consider their options when choosing an online broker.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees at Markets.com versus Alpari is tricky because neither broker provides average spread data, so exact trading costs aren’t published. Independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com offer a guide: Markets.com earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #51 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, while Alpari scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #42 of 63. Based on these scores, Alpari edges out Markets.com for overall pricing.
Without public average spreads, traders should check each broker’s live quotes and fee schedule before deciding. Look at any per-trade commissions (if applicable), typical spreads during your trading hours, overnight financing (swap) rates, and potential non-trading charges such as deposit, withdrawal, or inactivity fees.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 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.
Comparing Markets.com vs Alpari on range of investments, Markets.com offers far more to trade overall with 2,179 tradeable symbols and 57 forex pairs, while Alpari lists 105 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and both support copy trading. You can trade cryptocurrency derivatives at either broker, but neither offers buying actual crypto. Neither broker provides access to U.S.-listed shares, though Alpari does offer exchange-traded shares on certain international exchanges (not as CFDs), which Markets.com does not.
For range and variety, Markets.com earns 4 stars and ranks 30th in ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, compared with Alpari’s 3-star score and 64th place. In short, Markets.com is better for traders who want a wider list of markets and symbols, while Alpari may appeal if you specifically want access to some exchange-traded international shares alongside forex and CFDs.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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.
Markets.com and Alpari both check the big boxes for platform access and ease of entry. Each broker offers paper trading via a free demo account, a proprietary platform, and support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). You can trade from a Windows desktop download or a web-based platform at either broker. Copy trading is available with both, while third-party options like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not offered.
When it comes to trading tools, Alpari offers more drawing tools (15 vs. 4) and lets you place trades directly from charts, a feature Markets.com lacks. Watchlists are slightly more detailed at Alpari (7 fields) than at Markets.com (6 fields). Both brokers earn 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, yet Markets.com ranks higher overall in this category (#27 vs. Alpari’s #56 out of 63 brokers, per ForexBrokers.com), which may reflect differences in platform experience and tool depth.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Markets.com and Alpari both offer iPhone and Android apps, send price alerts, and let you build watchlists with real-time quotes. A key difference is syncing: Markets.com syncs watchlists between mobile and the web platform, while Alpari does not.
For charting, Markets.com provides indicators when you use the MT4 version of its app, but the native Markets.com app has no built-in studies. Alpari includes 30 technical studies. Both apps allow drawing trendlines, and neither auto-saves drawings. Markets.com does not offer multiple time frames in-app, whereas Alpari does. Although each earned 4 stars for mobile apps, Markets.com ranks higher (#34 of 63) than Alpari (#57 of 63) on ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Markets.com vs Alpari: For market research, Markets.com delivers daily market commentary and a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning, while Alpari does not provide either. Both brokers feature forex news from top-tier sources (e.g., Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones) and offer an economic calendar. Alpari stands out with Autochartist tools, which Markets.com does not provide. Neither broker offers Trading Central. Markets.com does not include TipRanks or Acuity Trading; Alpari’s access to TipRanks or Acuity Trading is not specified.
According to ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com earns 4 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers, whereas Alpari receives 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #58. In short, Markets.com suits traders who value daily commentary and sentiment insights, and Alpari may appeal to those who want Autochartist-powered technical scanning, with both brokers covering headline news and calendar events.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | 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.
For beginners exploring the world of online trading, both Markets.com and Alpari offer educational resources, though they differ in what they provide. Markets.com shines with its monthly online webinars and a comprehensive collection of educational videos designed for both beginners and advanced traders. This could be particularly beneficial for those who learn best through live sessions and video content. However, Markets.com lacks in the area of foundational articles or a vast library of resources focusing specifically on forex and CFDs, which can be a drawback for those who prefer a more traditional learning approach.
On the other hand, Alpari excels in offering more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, ideal for beginners who like to read and digest a variety of articles and other written content. They also provide a helpful investor dictionary, enhancing their appeal to those looking for quick, on-the-go explanations of trading terms. While Alpari does not offer monthly webinars or a broad range of advanced educational videos, their resources are well-suited for those just stepping into the trading arena. With Markets.com rated slightly higher in education, aspiring traders may weigh the types of materials they find most useful when deciding between these brokers.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Markets.com is better than Alpari. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
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Alpari
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 68 |
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Both Markets.com and Alpari do not provide options to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, but they offer cryptocurrency derivatives for trading.
Both Markets.com and Alpari provide a variety of options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, including Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither offers ACH, SEPA transfers, nor PayPal as methods for financial transactions.
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 | Markets.com | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | Alpari | |
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| Regulation | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 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 | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | 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) | No | 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) | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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 | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 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 | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.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 | ||
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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