Two brokers clash on regulation, costs, and platform access. The clash highlights differing regulatory footprints and global reach, inviting a closer look at where each stands.
FXTM outperforms Alpari International with a higher editorial score and stronger protections, including FCA and CySEC regulation plus a compensation scheme and negative balance protection.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want to start with $5 and ECN pricing with a $6 per-lot commission.
Choose FXTM if…
Choose FXTM if you want a $10 minimum and FXTM Invest copy trading.
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 1.50 pips for FXTM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.2 / 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 | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| 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 FXTM rates 4.2/5. FXTM 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 FXTM's 1.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Alpari International has $5, while FXTM requires at least $10. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FXTM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, 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 FXTM 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 FXTM lists up to 1000:1. 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 on commission-based accounts. Commission details for FXTM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while FXTM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
FXTM is regulated by FCA and CySEC, with compensation and negative balance protection.
FXTM wins for active traders thanks to FXTM Invest copy trading and broader education resources.
Alpari International is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Alpari International wins for beginners due to a $5 minimum deposit.
Equally matched.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2011 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5▼ lower | $10 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 1.5 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | FCA FSCA CySEC FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 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
Low $10 minimum deposit on Micro accounts
Strong copy trading via FXTM Invest platform
Extensive education, webinars, video courses, and market analysis
Multilingual support in 20+ languages
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
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
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
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
Standard account spreads are not ECN-competitive
Platform choice limited to MT4 and MT5
Mauritius FSC entity offers less investor protection than FCA/CySEC
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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