This comparison pits a long-running forex broker offering crypto CFDs against a native crypto exchange famed for breadth of assets. The tension centers on regulation, fees, and asset depth.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Alpari International if you value a very low minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 with EA support.
Choose if…
Choose MEXC if you want a native platform with 2,000+ coins and zero maker fees.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | 0.10%▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.4/5 and MEXC rates 3.6/5. MEXC has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Alpari International lists a spread from 0. Current spread data is not available for MEXC. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
MEXC has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes MEXC more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Alpari International is regulated by FSCA, FSC. MEXC is regulated by authorities listed on their website. Confirm a exchange's current regulatory status on the relevant regulator's public register before opening an account.
For beginners, MEXC has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely. Both exchanges otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchanges's site.
Alpari International offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus MEXC's 200:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
MEXC charges $0.1 per trade, lower than Alpari International's $6 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. 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 4, MetaTrader 5, while MEXC supports MEXC. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. MEXC has exclusive access to MEXC.
MEXC scores higher on security criteria, with cold storage. For crypto, cold storage and proof of reserves are key indicators that client assets are protected against exchange failure or hacks.
MEXC scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
MEXC offers staking while Alpari International does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check MEXC's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
MEXC lists 500+ coins while Alpari International does not meet this threshold in our data. For traders who want access to many altcoins, MEXC has the broader selection. Confirm specific coin availability for your region on each exchange's website.
Alpari International wins for security, backed by FSC/FSCA oversight and segregated client funds.
MEXC wins for low fees with 0% maker fees and transparent pricing.
Alpari wins for beginners with low min deposit and familiar MT4/MT5.
MEXC offers staking and yield-earning options while Alpari International does not, making MEXC the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | CryptoP2PCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | CryptoP2P |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA FSC | — |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | Yes |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | Yes |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | Yes |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | Yes |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | Yes |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
MEXC edges Alpari International on editorial score (3.6 vs 3.4), driven by superior fees/spreads and platforms; Alpari remains offshore-regulated with limited crypto coverage and no compensation scheme for most clients.
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Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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