This comparison pits Alpari International against XTB across regulation, costs, and platform capability. The axis centers on trust, pricing, and trading tools.
XTB wins on editorial score for stronger regulation and investor protection. Alpari International maintains a long brand history and ECN pricing despite an offshore licence.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you value no inactivity fee and straightforward access.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want advanced charting and a proprietary platform.
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 0.80 pips for XTB, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 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 | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 |
XTB rates 4.5/5 versus 3.9/5 for Alpari International. XTB edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Alpari International starts from 0 pips, tighter than XTB's 0.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
XTB has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes XTB more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
XTB holds top-tier regulation (FCA, CySEC, KNF), 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.
XTB 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 XTB 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 on commission-based accounts. Commission details for XTB are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB wins for safety & regulation with FCA, CySEC, KNF oversight.
XTB wins for active traders due to wide instrument list, advanced charting, and a proprietary platform.
Alpari International is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
XTB wins for beginners with no minimum deposit and accessible entry.
XTB wins for instrument variety with 5800 tradable instruments.
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 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2002 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Warsaw, Poland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | €10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| 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 CySEC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | xStation 5 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
LSE- and WSE-listed with FCA, CySEC, and KNF regulation, exceptional corporate transparency
xStation 5 is one of the best proprietary platforms in retail forex
Zero-commission stock CFDs up to EUR 100,000/month
No minimum deposit on standard accounts
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
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
Market maker on forex, not appropriate for raw ECN scalpers
Product breadth narrower than IG or Saxo
Support quality varies outside European hours
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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