Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Vantage 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.
Vantage, established in 2009, holds a favorable position in the world of online trading. Although not publicly traded, Vantage is reliable in terms of regulatory oversight, with two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, which translates to a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. This broker boasts a Trust Score of 90, demonstrating its commitment to providing a secure trading experience. Additionally, Vantage is not a bank, ensuring a focused approach to online trading services.
Founded in 1998, Alpari shares the same non-publicly traded status as Vantage and is not a bank either. However, when it comes to regulatory credentials, Alpari falls short with no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses. As a result, its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score is 68, indicating a high-risk profile. For traders prioritizing regulatory assurance, Alpari's offerings may warrant closer scrutiny compared to those of Vantage.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When considering Vantage and Alpari for online trading, comparing their commissions and fees is essential to determine which broker aligns best with your trading needs. Vantage offers three account types: the Standard STP with spread-only pricing, and the RAW ECN and PRO ECN accounts with commission-based pricing. The Standard account typically has spreads of 1.30 pips on the EUR/USD, while the RAW account offers lower average spreads of 0.15 pips, accompanied by a commission of $3 per side. For those eligible, the PRO account, requiring a $10,000 deposit or wholesale client status depending on the regulating entity, offers the most competitive pricing with a per-side commission of $2. In comparison, detailed average spread data for Alpari is not disclosed, making it challenging to directly evaluate their cost competitiveness alongside Vantage.
Vantage stands out with its active trader program, which offers rebates ranging from $2 to $8 per standard lot based on the user's balance and trading volume, though this perk is available only on the Standard account. The account choice and eligibility criteria significantly influence the broker's overall costs, with Vantage's competitive pricing particularly advantageous for high-volume traders. While Alpari does not provide specific spread information, its rating and ranking indicate a moderate position on the cost-efficiency scale.
In terms of industry ratings and rankings, Vantage scores 4.5 stars and ranks #19 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its strong position in the commissions and fees category. Alpari, meanwhile, receives a respectable 4-star rating, yet ranks lower at #41. This comparison underscores Vantage's slightly higher standing in terms of overall cost-effectiveness, providing potential traders with a clearer picture of where these brokers fit into the broader landscape of trading costs.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 the range of investments available through Vantage and Alpari, both brokers offer forex trading either as CFDs or spot contracts. Vantage provides traders with a much larger selection of 1,000 tradeable symbols, including 61 different forex pairs, compared to Alpari's offering of 105 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs. Neither platform offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but Alpari does have offerings on international markets such as the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, both brokers support copy trading and allow clients to engage with cryptocurrency derivatives instead of owning the actual cryptocurrency.
In terms of range of investments, Vantage has the upper hand, receiving a rating of 3.5 stars compared to Alpari's 3 stars. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Vantage holds the 50th spot out of 63 brokers, while Alpari comes in at 63rd. This comparison highlights Vantage's broader range of tradeable symbols and more comprehensive selection of forex pairs, making it a more versatile choice for traders looking for variety, though both brokers have their own unique offerings and strengths.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 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.
Vantage and Alpari both offer traders a similar range of options when it comes to trading platforms and tools. Both brokers provide demo accounts for simulated trading, allowing users to practice without financial risk. They each offer proprietary platforms along with support for the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Their platforms are accessible across Windows and web-based applications, enabling easy access for desktop and online trading. Vantage and Alpari also support copy trading, catering to different trading strategies and preferences. While both brokers excel in providing intuitive trading solutions, Vantage additionally offers DupliTrade to expand its trading toolkit, which Alpari does not provide.
Charting capabilities for both brokers are well-equipped, with users gaining access to 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. They also offer seven columns for watch lists, helping traders monitor their investments effectively. Despite these similarities, Vantage distinguishes itself with a higher ranking by ForexBrokers.com, placed at #21 compared to Alpari's #55. Both firms are rated four stars for their trading platforms and tools, reflecting their quality offerings in the competitive online brokerage landscape. While both brokers offer reliable and user-friendly platforms, Vantage's additional service of DupliTrade and higher industry ranking give it a slight edge over Alpari.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 | Yes | 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 online brokers Vantage and Alpari, both offer apps available for iPhone and Android users. Users of either app can receive stock and forex price alerts and have access to 30 technical studies for charting. Additionally, both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on their charts, such as daily, weekly, or intraday views. Creating watchlists with real-time quotes is a feature available on both platforms; however, neither app offers watchlist symbol syncing to keep changes synchronized across mobile and online accounts.
A notable difference between the two is Vantage's capability to auto-save drawings made on charts, a feature not available with Alpari. Both brokers received a 4-star rating for their mobile apps, but Vantage holds a higher position in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, placing 28th out of 63 brokers, compared to Alpari's 56th place. Ultimately, traders may find both apps comparable in many respects, but Vantage comes out slightly ahead thanks to a few added conveniences and a better user rating.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 comparing Vantage and Alpari in terms of market research, Vantage stands out with a stronger offering. Vantage provides daily market commentary and features forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, matching Alpari in this area. Both brokers incorporate Autochartist's technical and fundamental analysis tools. However, Vantage takes a lead by offering additional insights with Trading Central's tools, which Alpari does not provide. Moreover, Vantage includes a sentiment-based trading tool to show trader positioning in the market, giving it an edge over Alpari. While neither broker offers market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, both offer comprehensive economic calendars to keep traders aware of significant global news events.
Overall, Vantage receives a higher research rating of four out of five stars compared to Alpari's three stars. This difference in quality is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Vantage holds the 21st position among 63 brokers, while Alpari sits much lower at the 57th spot. This makes Vantage a more appealing choice for traders looking for extensive market research tools and resources to support their trading decisions.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, Vantage and Alpari both provide solid content to help newcomers understand forex and CFD trading. Both brokers offer over ten educational items, including articles and videos, specifically focused on forex and CFDs. While each platform provides at least ten beginner-level videos, Vantage stands out with additional resources designed for advanced traders, a feature that Alpari lacks. Vantage's educational offerings also extend to hosting monthly online webinars and providing a searchable archive of these past events for those who miss the live sessions. In contrast, Alpari doesn't offer regular webinars or an archive, which could be a downside for those who prefer live interactive learning.
Both brokers include an investor dictionary with comprehensive definitions for over 50 investing terms, helping users get familiar with trading jargon. Vantage, however, is rated higher in educational resources with a four-star rating, compared to Alpari's three-star rating. Ranked 24th out of 63 brokers in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, Vantage outperforms Alpari, which holds the 48th position. Overall, Vantage seems to be better suited for those seeking versatile and interactive educational options in the world of online trading.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 Vantage is better than Alpari. Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
Vantage rounds out its MetaTrader platform suite offering with support for multiple social trading platforms, content powered by Trading Central and a proprietary mobile app. However, Vantage trails industry leaders in key areas such as research and education.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 90 | 68 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Vantage and Alpari do not provide options to purchase actual cryptocurrency but offer cryptocurrency derivatives for trading.
When comparing online brokers Vantage and Alpari in terms of account funding options, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers, but Vantage supports PayPal unlike Alpari; both platforms accept Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers.
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 | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 90 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 90 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Vantage | 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). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 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 | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 90 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill