In this crypto CFD comparison, Alpari International and ThinkMarkets face off on regulation, coin selection, and platform breadth, delivering contrasting approaches to risk and access.
ThinkMarkets edges Alpari International on editorial score, supported by stronger regulation and broader coin coverage.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a very low minimum deposit and a long multi-asset trading track record.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you seek strong regulatory protection and a broader crypto offering.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
ThinkMarkets is better for security due to FCA/ASIC regulation and client money protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.4 pips |
| Taker Fee | 6.00%▼ lower | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Fail |
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.4/5 and ThinkMarkets rates 3.8/5. ThinkMarkets 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 lower spread from 0, compared with ThinkMarkets's 0.4. 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.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
ThinkMarkets holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, JFSA), 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.
ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets'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, lower than ThinkMarkets's $7 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 5, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets offers a more favorable fee structure based on the higher Fees & Spreads score.
ThinkMarkets attracts beginners with zero minimum deposit on standard accounts.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi access or on-chain features.
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | FCA FSCA JFSA ASIC |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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