This comparison pits a long-standing offshore retail brand against a US-focused derivatives broker. Two distinct approaches to regulation, costs, and platforms shape an intriguing choice for traders.
tastytrade edges Alpari International on the editorial score thanks to top-tier regulation and investor compensation, a broader instrument universe and a proprietary platform.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want MT4/MT5 access and multilingual support.
Choose tastytrade if…
Choose tastytrade if you want a proprietary options platform and top-tier regulation.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Alpari International offers spreads from 0.00 pips.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.3/ 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 | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| 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 tastytrade rates 4.3/5. tastytrade 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. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
tastytrade has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes tastytrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
tastytrade holds top-tier regulation (CFTC, NFA), 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, tastytrade has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely. Both brokers otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each brokers's site.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
tastytrade charges $1 per lot, lower than Alpari International's $6 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. tastytrade has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
tastytrade wins for safety & regulation with NFA/CFTC oversight and investor compensation; Alpari relies on offshore FSC Mauritius.
tastytrade wins for active traders with low $1/lot options commissions and an options-focused platform.
Alpari International is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
Alpari wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5 access and familiar desktop interfaces.
Alpari is better for beginners due to low minimum deposit and broad accessibility.
tastytrade offers about 10,000 tradable instruments, far more than Alpari.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.7 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2017 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $1/lot▼ lower |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | N/A |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| 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
Options commissions capped at $10/leg, major cost advantage for traders who size up
$0 to open options trades; $1/contract to close
Platform built natively for options: IVR, Greeks, curve tool, and multi-leg management all first-class
Futures and futures options on the same account as equity derivatives
No PFOF on options, exchange-routed for best execution
Part of IG Group (LSE-listed), institutional governance and financial stability
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
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
US-only, no international accounts
Options-first interface has a steep learning curve for equity-focused traders
No live chat support, phone and email only
Minimal fundamental research tools; no stock screener or analyst reports
Mobile app less appropriate for entering complex multi-leg strategies than the desktop platform
No negative balance protection
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Support available in limited languages
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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