Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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 2002, XTB is a well-established online broker known for its high level of trust and transparency, underlined by a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96 out of 99. XTB is publicly traded and although it is not a bank, it stands out by holding two top-tier licenses and two second-tier licenses, reinforcing its solid reputation in the financial industry.
In contrast, Alpari, established in 1998, has a Trust Score of 68, which places it in the high-risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. Alpari is not publicly traded and holds no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, which may raise concerns for potential investors seeking assurance and security in their trading activities. Both XTB and Alpari are established brokers, but their regulatory standings significantly differ, making XTB a notably more trusted choice.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
XTB provides two main account options: a spread-only Standard Account suitable for most retail traders and a commission-based Professional Account, which is available only to clients who qualify as Professionals in the U.K. and Europe. While XTB's pricing aligns with the industry average, it does not match the top-tier brokers in terms of competitive fees. For the Standard Account, the average forex spread on the EUR/USD stood at 1 pip in Q4 2023, which is a crucial consideration for traders eyeing cost-efficiency. Generally, the Standard Account is recommended for retail traders due to its accessibility and broader availability. It's also worth noting that XTB's Professional Account is being phased out and is only available to selected existing clients.
Comparatively, Alpari's commissions and fees structure is less transparent as average spread data isn't readily available. This lack of detail can be a significant factor for traders who prioritize cost insights for decision-making. XTB holds a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating out of five for commissions and fees, showcasing its relative strength in this area. Alpari, on the other hand, has a rating of 4 stars. From a rankings perspective, XTB is positioned at #11 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for the Commissions and Fees category, significantly outperforming Alpari, which sits at #41.
For active traders, especially those located in the EU who meet the criteria for elective professionals, XTB offers an appealing active trader program known as the Lower Spread Group. This program provides rebates ranging from 5% to 30% of the spread for hitting specific trading volume thresholds, starting from 20 lots per month. This initiative adds extra value and places XTB in competition with brokers like FXCM, FOREX.com, and CMC Markets. While XTB's active trader discounts and higher rank provide distinct advantages, individual preferences will ultimately guide the choice between these two brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | 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.
XTB and Alpari both offer forex trading, allowing investors to engage with currencies through CFDs or spot contracts. When considering the variety of available investments, XTB vastly outpaces Alpari, presenting traders with an impressive 7,184 tradeable symbols compared to Alpari’s more modest offering of 105. While XTB provides access to a significant 71 forex pairs, Alpari offers only 46. Investors who are interested in exchange-traded securities will find XTB more appealing, as it allows clients to buy both U.S. stocks like Apple and international shares such as Vodafone. In contrast, Alpari does permit trading in international exchanges but not in U.S. stocks.
For those looking into cryptocurrency options, both brokers provide cryptocurrency derivatives but not the actual digital currencies themselves. XTB and Alpari each cater to different trading preferences, with Alpari offering a copy trading service, which is not available with XTB. Overall, the more extensive range of investment options provided by XTB is reflected in its higher rating of 5 stars for Range of Investments, leaving Alpari with 3 stars. This difference in offerings is also evident in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where XTB stands at #14, while Alpari is positioned at a lower #63 among 63 brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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 XTB and Alpari for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide rich features that cater to different trader preferences. XTB stands out with its proprietary platform, tailored specifically in-house, offering a Windows-based desktop download and a web-based trading platform. While both brokers provide simulated or paper trading, XTB excels with more advanced charting capabilities, boasting 32 drawing tools and allowing traders to execute trades directly from stock charts. Although it does not support MetaTrader platforms, XTB's focus on its custom tools and window layout flexibility in watch lists, featuring 8 columns, contributes to its high 4.5-star rating and a commendable 9th rank out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com.
Alpari, on the other hand, offers a competitive edge with copy trading, which appeals to those looking to follow experienced traders. Despite providing similar fundamental features like a proprietary platform and the flexibility of web and Windows-based systems, Alpari supports both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, catering to traders who favor these popular platforms. With slightly fewer drawing tools and a lower watch list column count compared to XTB, Alpari maintains a solid foundation for its users. Its 4-star rating and 55th place ranking for trading platforms and tools reflect its strengths and room for growth against other brokers. Overall, both XTB and Alpari deliver compelling trading experiences, yet they shine in different aspects depending on a trader's specific needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and Alpari both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, making them easily accessible for traders on the go. Both apps provide stock or forex price alerts and allow users to view multiple time frames on charts, such as daily or weekly intervals. When it comes to creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both platforms excel, though neither offers watchlist symbol syncing between the app and their online accounts. This means users will need to update their watchlists manually across platforms.
XTB edges out Alpari in several areas. It offers 39 technical studies for charting, compared to Alpari’s 30, and XTB's app auto-saves drawings on charts, a feature Alpari lacks. Both apps support trendline drawing; however, XTB comes out on top in user ratings with 4.5 stars and holds the #8 position out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's rankings for mobile trading apps. Alpari, while solid, is rated at 4 stars and ranks #56. These distinctions may make XTB a more appealing choice for traders who value enhanced charting features and a highly rated user experience.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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, XTB stands out with its comprehensive services compared to Alpari. XTB provides daily market commentary and backs its clients with forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Their users have access to an economic calendar that keeps them informed on global financial events, helping them stay ahead of market trends. Additionally, XTB offers a sentiment-based trading tool that provides insights into market sentiment across various currency pairs, giving their clients a unique edge in making informed trading decisions.
In contrast, Alpari offers forex news from reputable sources and also provides an economic calendar. However, it lacks the daily market commentary and sentiment-based trading tools that XTB offers. One notable advantage for Alpari users is access to Autochartist, known for its technical analysis tools. Despite this, XTB's offerings have earned it a 5-star research rating and a high ranking in industry lists, placing it well above Alpari, which holds a 3-star rating and lower rank in the research category.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing educational offerings for beginners from online brokers XTB and Alpari, both brokers provide a foundational collection of educational content, including at least ten pieces focused on forex or CFDs. However, XTB stands out with additional benefits, such as offering monthly online webinars and maintaining a searchable archive of these recorded sessions. In contrast, Alpari does not provide these features, potentially limiting ongoing learning opportunities for beginners. Furthermore, XTB provides over ten videos specifically designed for both beginner and advanced traders, whereas Alpari only offers videos tailored for beginners.
For those looking to broaden their understanding of investment terminology, Alpari offers an investor dictionary with definitions of over fifty terms, unlike XTB, which lacks this resource. Despite this, XTB's comprehensive educational resources earn it a 5-star rating and an impressive 11th place among 63 brokers in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com. Alpari, with its more limited resources, holds a 3-star rating and ranks 48th. Overall, for beginners focused on continuous and advanced learning, XTB appears to offer more extensive resources and a higher level of educational support than Alpari.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than Alpari. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 |
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Both XTB and Alpari do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and Alpari in terms of deposit and withdrawal options, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers but they allow transactions via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires; however, XTB stands out by offering PayPal, unlike Alpari, while both brokers provide Skrill as a payment method.
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 | XTB | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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| Regulation | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | 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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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 | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | 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 | 39 | 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 | XTB | 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 | XTB | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | XTB | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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