This comparison pits Alpari International against ThinkMarkets on regulation, platform reach, and pricing. The axis of tension centers on safety versus trading flexibility.
ThinkMarkets edges Alpari International overall, due to top-tier regulators, a wider platform offering including ThinkTrader and TradingView, and a far larger instrument universe.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you value a 26-year brand with MT4 and MT5, ECN options, and strong regional reach. You also get no deposit fees and 24/5 live chat support.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want top-tier regulation coverage including FCA, ASIC, FSCA and JFSA for Japanese clients. You also gain access to a 4000-instrument universe with ThinkTrader, MT4/MT5, and TradingView.
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 0.40 pips for ThinkMarkets, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.3 / 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 | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 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 ThinkMarkets rates 4.2/5. ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets's 0.4 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ThinkMarkets holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, FSCA), 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.
ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets lists up to 500:1. 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, lower than ThinkMarkets's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
ThinkMarkets wins for safety and regulation with FCA, ASIC, FSCA, and JFSA oversight.
ThinkMarkets wins for active traders with 4000 instruments and multiple platform options.
Alpari International is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($6/lot), tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
ThinkMarkets wins for platform choice due to MT4/MT5, ThinkTrader, and TradingView.
ThinkMarkets wins for instrument variety with 4000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.4 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips▼ lower | 1.1 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView 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
No minimum deposit on standard ThinkForex account
ThinkTrader proprietary app is well-reviewed for mobile trading
JFSA regulation for Japanese clients
Strong multi-region regulatory coverage
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
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
ThinkZero account requires $500 minimum deposit
Standard account is spread-only and not competitive for scalpers
Not available to US residents
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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