Alpari International vs Plus500 Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Alpari International and Plus500 across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Score 3.9 / 5
2 bonusesHistoric 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.
VS
LSE-listed with zero commission, intuitive proprietary platform, and negative balance protection - though limited research and no MT4.
Our Verdict
Plus500 winsby 0.1 pts
Plus500 edges ahead with a score of 4/5 vs Alpari International's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Alpari International offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.6 pips for Plus500, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
Plus500 has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
Alpari International has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Plus500 offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Plus500 edges out Alpari International with a higher editorial score (4/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
Alpari International vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 3.9 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1998 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Haifa, Israel |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 1000:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA FSC | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Alpari International | Visit Plus500 |
Alpari International vs Plus500 Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
Pros
LSE-listed providing strong institutional credibility
Zero commission on all trades
Intuitive proprietary platform with a clean mobile app
Negative balance protection across all accounts
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
No MT4 or MT5 support
Limited research tools and market analysis
US residents not accepted
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
Alpari International vs Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
Alpari International
criteria wins
4
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Alpari International | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Alpari International vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Plus500 ranks higher with a score of 4/5 vs 3.9/5 for Alpari International. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Alpari International and Plus500 may each suit different trader profiles.
Alpari International offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Plus500's spreads from 0.6 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 Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Plus500 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. 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; Plus500 offers negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Alpari International offers maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Plus500 offers up to 30:1. 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.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and Plus500 offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; Alpari International exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; Plus500 exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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Score 3.9 / 5
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