A head-to-head comparison of Alpari International and Tickmill across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Historic 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.
Among the lowest commissions available at $6 round-turn on Pro accounts, with strong FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulation and transparent execution.
Tickmill edges ahead with a score of 4.3/5 vs Alpari International's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
Tickmill has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Tickmill edges out Alpari International with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1998 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $6/lot |
| Max leverage | 1000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA FSC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Alpari International | Visit Tickmill |
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
Industry-low commission of $6 round-turn on Pro account
Strong FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulatory coverage
No dealing desk on Pro and Raw accounts
Negative balance protection for retail clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
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
No cTrader support
Limited asset classes compared to multi-asset peers
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Tickmill ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 3.9/5 for Alpari International. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Alpari International and Tickmill may each suit different trader profiles.
Both Alpari International and Tickmill offer spreads starting from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
Alpari International has a lower minimum deposit of $5, while Tickmill requires at least $100. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Tickmill holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), 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; Tickmill 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 Tickmill offers up to 1000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Both Alpari International and Tickmill charge the same commission of $6 per lot on applicable accounts.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and Tickmill offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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