Two brokers clash on regulation, protection, and platform choices. The tension hinges on licensing reach, client safeguards, and price structures across their MT4/MT5 offerings.
Forex.com edges Alpari International on the editorial score due to stronger regulatory coverage and investor protection. Alpari International remains offshore-regulated with no investor compensation scheme.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you seek a low $5 minimum deposit and ECN pricing with transparent costs.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you want top-tier regulation, investor protection, and access for US clients.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Alpari International offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 1.00 pips for Forex.com, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.3 / 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 | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.9/5 and Forex.com rates 4.2/5. Forex.com 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 Forex.com's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Alpari International has $5, while Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Forex.com holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, MAS), 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, two factors stand out: Alpari International requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry, and Forex.com provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Forex.com lists up to 50:1. 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 Forex.com's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Forex.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Forex.com wins for safety and regulation due to top-tier authorities and investor protection.
Forex.com wins for active traders due to advanced charting and broader instruments.
Alpari International is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($6/lot), tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Forex.com dominates platform choice with MT4, MT5, and proprietary tools.
Alpari International offers a low entry point with a $5 minimum.
Forex.com offers broader instrument variety with around 400 tradable instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Bedminster, New Jersey, USA |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 50:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $15/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| 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 | FSC FSCA | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 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
One of the few brokers accepting US retail forex clients
Deep research tools including macro analysis
Raw spread account with competitive $7 round-turn commission
MT4, MT5 and proprietary platforms
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
$100 minimum deposit is higher than some peers
US clients restricted to 50:1 leverage on major pairs
Raw account pricing not available in all jurisdictions
Inactivity fee applies
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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