Alpari International vs Saxo Bank Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Alpari International and Saxo Bank 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
Danish-licensed bank with the deepest multi-asset coverage we cover, premium SaxoTraderGO/PRO platforms, and tiered pricing for active traders.
Our Verdict
Saxo Bank winsClear Winner
Saxo Bank comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.7/5 compared to Alpari International's 3.9/5.
Saxo Bank
4.7/5
Alpari International
3.9/5
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 Saxo Bank, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
Saxo Bank 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
Saxo Bank offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Saxo Bank edges out Alpari International with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
Alpari International vs Saxo Bank: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.9 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1998 | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Min deposit | $5 | No minimum |
| 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 DFSA FINMA Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet CMA CBI FSC Finanstilsynet KNF MFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Alpari International | Visit Saxo Bank |
Alpari International vs Saxo Bank 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
Licensed bank (Denmark)
Best-in-class multi-asset platform
Tiered active-trader pricing
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
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
Higher minimums on classic accounts than ECN brokers
No MT4 / MT5
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
Alpari International vs Saxo Bank: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
Alpari International
criteria wins
5
Saxo Bank
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Alpari International | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Alpari International vs Saxo Bank: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Saxo Bank ranks higher with a score of 4.7/5 vs 3.9/5 for Alpari International. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Alpari International and Saxo Bank may each suit different trader profiles.
Alpari International offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Saxo Bank's spreads from 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Saxo Bank has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes Saxo Bank more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Saxo Bank holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, DFSA), 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: Saxo Bank has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; Saxo Bank 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 Saxo Bank 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 Saxo Bank offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; Alpari International exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; Saxo Bank exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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Score 3.9 / 5
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