Two brokers duel on regulation, costs, and platforms. Alpari leans on offshore FSC Mauritius licensing and MT4/MT5 with ECN options, while Spreadex showcases FCA oversight and TradingView-powered tools.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Alpari International if you value MT4/MT5 with ECN accounts and a low $5 minimum deposit.
Choose if…
Choose Spreadex if you want FCA regulation, investor compensation, and TradingView-powered charting.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 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 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.9/5 and Spreadex rates 4/5. Spreadex 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 Spreadex's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Spreadex has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes Spreadex more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Spreadex holds top-tier regulation (FCA), 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.
Spreadex stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Spreadex lists up to 30:1. 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 Spreadex are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Spreadex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Spreadex has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
Alpari International offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.60 pips for Spreadex, reducing trading costs.
Spreadex wins for safety and regulation due to FCA oversight and investor compensation coverage.
Best for active traders: Alpari International because of MT4/MT5 with ECN accounts and low minimum deposit.
Alpari International is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Best for platform choice: Spreadex offers a proprietary platform plus TradingView integration.
Best for beginners: Spreadex wins with a $0 minimum deposit and simple spread betting.
Best for instrument variety: Spreadex offers far more instruments than Alpari.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 30:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| 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 | FSCA FSC | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
|---|
| 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
FCA-regulated (190941) UK spread betting on 10,000+ financial markets
TradingView integration for browser-based charting and order execution
UK capital gains tax-free profits on spread bets under current HMRC rules
Unique dual financial and sports spread betting from one FCA account
No minimum deposit and no commission on spread bets
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
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
UK residents only - no international client access
No MT4 or MT5 available
Research tools minimal
Not suitable for traders who need raw ECN execution
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
Support available in limited languages
Both brokers are closely matched, with regulation and protections forming the key axis of divergence. Spreadex has FCA oversight and investor compensation; Alpari relies on FSC Mauritius with no explicit investor protection.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Alpari InternationalvsCity Index
Alpari InternationalvsTrade Nation
Alpari InternationalvsThinkMarkets
Alpari InternationalvsOANDA
Alpari InternationalvsTradeStation
Alpari Internationalvstastytrade
Alpari InternationalvsInteractive Brokers
Alpari InternationalvsCapital.com
Alpari InternationalvsSaxo Bank
Alpari InternationalvsPlus500
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker