A head-to-head comparison of ADS Securities and Alpari International across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
UAE-headquartered broker regulated by FSRA (Abu Dhabi Global Market) and FCA, providing institutional-quality execution and capital markets access to GCC institutional and high-net-worth retail traders.
Historic retail forex brand regulated by FSC Mauritius, offering MT4 and MT5 with ECN and Standard accounts, widely recognised in the CIS and emerging markets but operating under an offshore licence since the Alpari UK collapse.
ADS Securities edges ahead with a score of 4.3/5 vs Alpari International's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Alpari International offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.5 pips for ADS Securities, reducing trading costs.
ADS Securities has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, segregated funds.
Alpari International has a cost edge: tighter spreads from 0 pips.
ADS Securities offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
ADS Securities edges out Alpari International with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
| Founded | 2011 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Port Louis, Mauritius |
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $5 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
| Max leverage | 200:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA FSRA | FSCA FSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ADS Securities | Visit Alpari International |
Pros
FSRA (ADGM) and FCA dual regulation - institutional-grade UAE framework
Institutional prime brokerage liquidity for tight spreads
Multi-asset including equities and fixed income
FIX API available for algorithmic and professional clients
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
26-year brand history in retail forex
Mature PAMM investor platform - one of the originals
ECN accounts with $6 per-lot commission competitive with top ECN desks
Wide geographic reach across CIS, MENA, and Africa
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
$2,000 minimum deposit - not accessible to entry-level retail traders
Primary focus on institutional and HNW clients; limited retail tools
Less suitable for traders seeking educational support or copy trading
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
Cons
FSC Mauritius licence - lower investor protection than FCA/ASIC/CySEC
Legacy of UK entity collapse in 2015 is a cautionary reference point
No top-tier regulatory licence for its core international client base
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | Alpari International |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, ADS Securities ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 3.9/5 for Alpari International. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ADS Securities and Alpari International may each suit different trader profiles.
Alpari International offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to ADS Securities's spreads from 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Alpari International has a lower minimum deposit of $5, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ADS Securities holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSRA), providing stronger investor protections. Alpari International may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: Alpari International has a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
ADS Securities offers maximum leverage of 200:1, while Alpari International offers up to 1000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Alpari International charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile and Alpari International offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; ADS Securities exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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