This comparison pits an established offshore brand against a regulated, feature-rich broker. The tension centers on regulation, pricing, and platform choice.
FP Markets edges Alpari International on regulation, compensation, and instrument breadth. Overall, FP Markets is the winner based on higher editorial score.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you prefer a low-entry point with a $5 minimum deposit and high leverage.
Choose FP Markets if…
Choose FP Markets if you want true ECN pricing from 0.0 pips with a $6/lot commission, plus MT4/MT5 and cTrader.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.6 / 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 | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| 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 |
FP Markets rates 4.5/5 versus 3.9/5 for Alpari International. FP Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both Alpari International and FP Markets start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
Alpari International has $5, while FP Markets requires at least $100. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FP Markets holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, CySEC), 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 FP Markets 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 FP Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Both Alpari International and FP Markets charge the same commission of $6 per lot on applicable accounts.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. FP Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
FP Markets leads safety and regulation with ASIC and CySEC oversight plus investor compensation.
FP Markets wins for active traders with true ECN pricing and broad platform support.
Both brokers offer equivalent ECN conditions including raw spread accounts, commissions, and spread levels.
FP Markets offers MT4, MT5, and cTrader with IRESS for share CFDs.
Alpari International suits beginners with a $5 minimum deposit.
FP Markets wins instrument variety with 10000 tradable assets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2005 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Sydney, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $6/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView 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
True ECN pricing from 0.0 pips + $6 round-turn commission
Supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader, all three major platforms
IRESS platform for direct-access share CFD trading
Strong ASIC and CySEC regulation
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
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
IRESS platform has a monthly fee for lower-volume traders
Customer support primarily oriented toward Australian trading hours
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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