Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a very low minimum deposit of $5 and MT4/MT5 with EA support.
Choose if…
Choose IG if you want broad coin coverage and a framework backed by strong regulators, plus access to a proprietary platform.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
IG wins security due to top-tier regulators and compensation protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IG rates 4.2/5 versus 3.4/5 for Alpari International. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Alpari International lists a lower spread from 0, compared with IG's 0.6. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
IG has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes IG more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
IG holds top-tier regulation (DFSA, FMA, FCA), providing stronger investor protections. Alpari International may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
IG stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Alpari International offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus IG's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Alpari International charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
Alpari International shows the lower-fee profile based on category scores.
IG wins with 70+ coins, far more than Alpari's 6.
IG wins for beginners with a $0 minimum deposit.
Equally matched, neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | £12/month (after 24 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | DFSA FMA FCA CMVM ASIC BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
This matchup pits a long standing multi asset broker against a stronger regulated crypto CFD provider. The tension centers on safety and asset depth in crypto CFDs.
IG edges ahead of Alpari International on editorial score, reflecting stronger regulation, broader coin coverage, and a proprietary platform.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
Score 4.2 / 5
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