Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets and Alpari are both online brokers catering to traders with varied experience levels, yet they differ significantly when it comes to regulatory standing. ThinkMarkets, established in 2010, holds a competitive edge with its impressive five Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust in the industry. In contrast, Alpari, a broker in the market since 1998, lacks Tier-1 regulatory licenses entirely. Additionally, ThinkMarkets enjoys a Trust Score of 92 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its position as a highly trusted broker. Meanwhile, Alpari's Trust Score of 68 places it under high risk, signaling potential traders to proceed with caution.
Neither firm is publicly traded or a banking institution, which means they operate independently of stock exchange regulations. ThinkMarkets further distinguishes itself with two Tier-2 licenses, whereas Alpari holds none. The superior regulatory credentials of ThinkMarkets may offer potential investors more confidence in their trading services compared to Alpari. When evaluating brokers, paying close attention to the number and type of regulatory licenses can help traders make informed decisions about where to invest their finances securely.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When considering online brokers, ThinkMarkets and Alpari both stand out with their competitive commission and fee structures. ThinkMarkets is noted for its straightforward pricing and favorable conditions, earning it a respectable 4-star rating. However, without average spread data, more specific comparisons can be challenging. Overall, ThinkMarkets is ranked #47 out of 63 in the Commissions and Fees category, indicating a solid, yet not leading position among its peers.
On the other hand, Alpari also garners a 4-star rating for its commissions and fees. Alpari is recognized for offering flexible account types that cater to various trader needs, enhancing its appeal. Like ThinkMarkets, Alpari does not disclose its average spread data, but it ranks slightly higher at #41 out of 63 brokers in the same category. This ranking suggests that while Alpari has similar ratings to ThinkMarkets, it may provide slightly more appealing fee structures to certain traders.
In summary, both ThinkMarkets and Alpari offer competitive commission and fee structures, each boasting a 4-star rating. However, with Alpari securing the #41 spot and ThinkMarkets positioned at #47, traders might find Alpari's offerings slightly more advantageous based on its higher ranking. Ultimately, personal priorities and trading requirements will play a crucial role in choosing the most suitable broker.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 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.
ThinkMarkets and Alpari both provide forex trading options as CFDs or spot contracts, offering a selection of 46 forex pairs. However, when it comes to the total number of tradeable symbols, ThinkMarkets significantly outpaces Alpari with 4000 symbols compared to Alpari's 105. Neither broker allows the trading of U.S. exchange-traded securities such as Apple shares, but both do enable access to international stocks like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. In terms of cryptocurrency, both brokers offer derivatives, though not the actual digital currency itself.
Additionally, both ThinkMarkets and Alpari support copy trading, enhancing the diversity of investment strategies available to clients. When assessed for their range of investments, ThinkMarkets receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars and is ranked 23rd out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its broader investment offerings. In contrast, Alpari holds a rating of 3 stars and is ranked 63rd, suggesting a more limited range of investment options. Overall, ThinkMarkets offers a wider selection of tradeable instruments compared to Alpari, appealing to those seeking greater variety in their trading activities.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
When examining the trading platforms and tools offered by ThinkMarkets and Alpari, both brokers provide traders with a range of features, but there are notable differences. Each broker offers a proprietary platform developed in-house, alongside well-known platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. They cater to different trading needs by offering web-based and Windows-based desktop platforms. Furthermore, both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice their strategies in a simulated environment. A unique distinction is seen in the number of columns available for creating watch lists; ThinkMarkets offers 15 columns compared to Alpari's 7, potentially offering greater flexibility for traders who closely monitor multiple assets.
In terms of trading aids, both ThinkMarkets and Alpari allow copying trading, providing access to strategies from other successful traders. Neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, which might limit options for traders interested in these specific social trading platforms. Charting tools are comparable; both offer trading directly from stock charts and provide 15 drawing tools, though specific technical indicator offerings were unspecified. With both brokers receiving a 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, differences emerge in their rankings on ForexBrokers.com. ThinkMarkets holds a more favorable position at #28 out of 63 brokers, compared to Alpari’s ranking of #55, reflecting subtle variances in users' overall satisfaction with the tools provided.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
ThinkMarkets and Alpari both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with each providing essential trading features like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. They also allow users to view charts across multiple time frames and create watchlists with real-time quotes. While both brokers earn a four-star rating for their mobile trading apps, ThinkMarkets stands out slightly due to its extensive library of 94 technical studies compared to Alpari's 30, and its ability to auto-save chart drawings, a feature Alpari's app lacks.
On the downside, neither ThinkMarkets nor Alpari offers the convenience of watchlist symbol syncing between their mobile apps and online accounts. When it comes to industry rankings, ThinkMarkets holds a notable edge, ranking 20th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, while Alpari trails behind at 56th place. This gives ThinkMarkets a slight advantage in terms of overall app functionality and third-party recognition.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | 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 comparing ThinkMarkets and Alpari for market research tools and offerings, there are distinct differences that traders should consider. ThinkMarkets provides daily market commentary and offers forex news from reliable and respected sources like Bloomberg or Reuters. Additionally, ThinkMarkets includes a sentiment-based trading tool that provides insights into long and short positions across currency pairs. They also deliver research tools from Acuity Trading, enhancing strategic insights. Although they lack tools from Autochartist and Trading Central, ThinkMarkets still maintains valuable resources for traders.
Alpari, on the other hand, does not offer daily market commentary, but it does provide forex news from top-tier sources similar to ThinkMarkets. Alpari stands out by offering technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which can be beneficial for traders analyzing market trends. However, Alpari lacks a sentiment-based trading tool and Acuity Trading resources. Both brokers provide an economic calendar to track global news events effectively. When it comes to research ratings, ThinkMarkets scores slightly higher with a 3.5-star rating compared to Alpari’s 3 stars, and ThinkMarkets also ranks better in the research category on ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 | 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 trading beginners, ThinkMarkets and Alpari both feature comprehensive offerings. Both brokers provide at least 10 educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex or CFDs. ThinkMarkets, however, steps further ahead by offering monthly online webinars for their clients and a searchable archive of past webinars, a feature Alpari doesn't provide. Both brokers offer at least 10 beginner educational videos, making them both suitable choices for newcomers who prefer learning through visual content. However, if you're an experienced trader seeking advanced materials, ThinkMarkets has you covered with a series of advanced educational videos, unlike Alpari.
In terms of educational support, both brokers maintain a comprehensive investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms defined. Ratings from ForexBrokers.com place ThinkMarkets slightly ahead in educational offerings with 3.5 stars compared to Alpari’s 3 stars, although Alpari ranks slightly higher overall in the education category. ThinkMarkets and Alpari are ranked #52 and #48 out of 63 brokers, respectively. If ongoing educational support through webinars is a priority for you, ThinkMarkets could be the better option. However, for a more traditional approach to learning, Alpari might still meet your needs effectively.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 ThinkMarkets is better than Alpari. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 68 |
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Both ThinkMarkets and Alpari do not provide options to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both ThinkMarkets and Alpari provide various fund transfer options including Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires; however, neither offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal as deposit or withdrawal options.
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 | ThinkMarkets | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 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 | 5 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | 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) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | ThinkMarkets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | 94 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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