Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Alpari vs Xtrade, 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.
Alpari and Xtrade are two established online brokers in the trading landscape, founded in 1998 and 2003, respectively. Neither broker is publicly traded or operates as a bank. However, when it comes to regulatory credentials and trust, there are distinct differences. Alpari has no high-rated Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses according to ForexBrokers.com, which assesses brokers based on licensing quality. This contributes to its Trust Score of 68, placing it in the high-risk category.
In contrast, Xtrade secures a higher ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 74, classifying it as an average-risk broker. This score reflects its regulatory compliance, with one Tier-1 license recognized as highly trusted and one Tier-2 license seen as trusted. Although both brokers are not listed on stock exchanges, Xtrade's regulatory standing offers a more assured trading environment compared to Alpari.
| Feature |
Alpari
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1998 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Alpari scores higher than Xtrade. Alpari is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #42 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Xtrade holds a lower 2.5 out of 5 stars and is ranked #64 out of 63 brokers, signaling higher overall trading costs relative to peers.
Average spread data isn’t available for either broker, which makes direct spread comparisons difficult. To gauge real costs, traders should review live spreads by account type, any per-trade or per-lot commissions, overnight financing (swap) rates, and non-trading charges such as deposit, withdrawal, and inactivity fees.
Bottom line: Based on third-party ratings, Alpari appears more competitive on pricing than Xtrade, but the absence of published average spreads means you should confirm current fees on each broker’s platform before trading.
| Feature |
Alpari
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | $250 |
| 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 | No |
| 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.
Alpari vs Xtrade: both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot. Xtrade offers a wider range overall with 482 tradeable symbols and 56 forex pairs, compared with Alpari’s 105 symbols and 46 pairs. Neither broker lets you buy U.S.-listed shares directly, and neither supports buying actual crypto, though both offer cryptocurrency derivatives. Key differences: Alpari provides access to some international exchange-traded securities and supports copy trading, while Xtrade does not offer either.
For range of investments, Xtrade earns 3.5 stars (ranked #50), edging out Alpari’s 3 stars (ranked #64). Choose Xtrade if you want more markets and currency pairs; pick Alpari if international share access and copy trading are priorities.
| Feature |
Alpari
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 105 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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.
Alpari vs Xtrade: both brokers provide free demo (paper) trading and offer proprietary web platforms. Alpari adds a Windows desktop download and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while Xtrade does not offer a desktop platform or MetaTrader. Copy trading is available at Alpari but not at Xtrade. Neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Both platforms let you place trades directly from charts.
For charting and watchlists, Alpari lists 15 drawing tools and 7 watchlist columns, whereas Xtrade offers 100 drawing tools and 9 watchlist columns (indicator counts weren’t specified). In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools ratings, Alpari scores 4 stars and ranks 56th out of 63 brokers; Xtrade scores 3.5 stars and ranks 59th. Choose Alpari if you want MetaTrader, copy trading, and a downloadable desktop option. Pick Xtrade if you prefer a browser-based experience with more drawing tools and slightly more watchlist fields.
| Feature |
Alpari
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Alpari and Xtrade both offer iPhone and Android apps and each earns 4 stars for mobile trading. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, Xtrade ranks #54 out of 63 brokers, while Alpari ranks #57. If you’re deciding between the two, both are available on the major app stores and have similar overall scores, but their in-app features differ in important ways.
Alpari stands out for trading tools: it supports price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, 30 technical studies, trendline drawing, and multiple time frames; however, it does not auto-save drawings and does not sync watchlists with the web platform. Xtrade offers neither price alerts nor real-time quote watchlists, provides no stated count of technical studies, does not support trendlines or multiple time frames, and likewise does not auto-save drawings or sync watchlists. Choose Alpari if you want richer charting and alerts; pick Xtrade if you prefer a simpler setup without these extras.
| Feature |
Alpari
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
In this Alpari vs Xtrade market research comparison, Xtrade stands out for offering daily market commentary, while Alpari does not. Both brokers deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters and include an economic calendar to track key events. For tools, Alpari has an edge with Autochartist for pattern spotting and trade ideas, which Xtrade lacks. Neither broker provides Trading Central tools or a sentiment gauge showing long/short positioning.
Ratings favor Xtrade slightly: 3.5 stars and ranked #53 out of 63 for Research on ForexBrokers.com, compared with Alpari’s 3 stars and #58 rank. Choose Xtrade if you want day-to-day commentary alongside mainstream news and a calendar. Pick Alpari if Autochartist’s technical insights are a priority and you’re comfortable sourcing commentary elsewhere.
| Feature |
Alpari
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners between Alpari and Xtrade, both online brokers provide a decent array of materials to get you started in forex or CFDs trading. Alpari offers a solid collection of educational pieces, surpassing the minimum requirement with over ten articles and videos focused on forex or CFDs. Additionally, they provide more than ten beginner-oriented educational videos, making it a favorable choice for those just starting out. Xtrade also meets the basic educational content threshold with similar resources, although it falls short when it comes to beginner videos, offering less than ten. For those keen on learning through videos, Alpari stands out with a more comprehensive video library targeted at new traders.
Neither Alpari nor Xtrade provide live monthly educational webinars or access to previously recorded webinars, which could be a drawback for those who prefer interactive learning experiences. Both brokers offer an investor dictionary filled with over fifty investing terms, aiding new traders to swiftly familiarize themselves with market jargon. Despite these offerings, the educational ratings reflect only moderate standings, with Alpari receiving 3 stars and a ranking of #48 out of 63 brokers, while Xtrade edges slightly ahead with a 3.5-star rating and a #46 ranking. This indicates that while both brokers have room for improvement, Xtrade offers slightly more in their educational approach.
| Feature |
Alpari
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | 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 Alpari is better than Xtrade. Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
Alpari is one of the first brokers to offer the MetaTrader platform glopbally before it became popular. The Alpari group of companies are regulated only in a few jurisdictions, putting the broker at a disadvantage compared to the most trusted brokers.
| Feature |
Alpari
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Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 68 | 74 |
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Both Alpari and Xtrade do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, yet both brokers do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Alpari and Xtrade do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for account funding, but they both offer convenient deposit and withdrawal options through 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Alpari | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 68 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 68 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 1998 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| 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). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 105 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | $250 | |
| 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 | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Alpari | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | Alpari | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 68 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Xtrade Review |
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