Two established forex brokers go head to head over regulation, pricing, and platform access. The contrast highlights different strengths and trade-offs.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a $5 minimum deposit. You access MT4/MT5 with no proprietary platform.
Choose if…
Choose Dukascopy if you want FINMA regulation with investor compensation. You also get a proprietary JForex platform and access to about 1200 instruments.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.9 / 5▲ |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | Dukascopy |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.9/5 and Dukascopy rates 4.3/5. Dukascopy 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 starts from 0 pips, tighter than Dukascopy's 0.1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Alpari International has $5, while Dukascopy requires at least $1000. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Dukascopy holds top-tier regulation (FSA Seychelles, FINMA), 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.
For beginners, Alpari International requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry. Both brokers otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each brokers's site.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Dukascopy lists up to 200:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Alpari International charges $6 per lot, lower than Dukascopy's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Dukascopy supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. Dukascopy has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Alpari International offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.10 pips for Dukascopy, reducing trading costs.
Dukascopy wins for safety and regulation with FINMA backing and investor compensation.
Dukascopy wins for active traders with JForex automation and wide liquidity.
Alpari International is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($6/lot), tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Dukascopy wins for platform choice with the proprietary JForex and MT4/MT5 support.
Alpari International is best for beginners due to the $5 minimum deposit.
Dukascopy offers broader instrument variety with 1200 assets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.7 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2004 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5▼ lower | $1,000 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 200:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA FSC | FSA Seychelles FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
Full FINMA banking licence - client cash protected under Swiss deposit guarantee up to CHF 100,000
Genuine interbank SWFX ECN liquidity from 14+ institutional providers
EUR/USD variable spreads from 0.1 pips during London/New York overlap
JForex supports Java/Groovy strategy automation built into the platform
Banking-grade transparency with published balance sheet
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
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
Cons
CHF 1,000 minimum deposit excludes traders starting with less than USD 1,000
JForex has a steep learning curve; designed for professional clients
Customer support primarily Swiss business hours
Not available to US residents
No negative balance protection
No 24/5 live chat
Dukascopy edges Alpari International on the editorial score and regulator strength.
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Score 3.9 / 5
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