This comparison pits ActivTrades against Alpari International in terms of regulation, fund protection, and market reach. The tension centers on safety and access to global exchanges.
ActivTrades edges Alpari International on editorial score, thanks to top-tier regulation and GBP 1,000,000 client fund insurance. Alpari International lags on exchange reach.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you value top-tier regulation and a GBP 1,000,000 fund insurance. You also gain access to 10 exchanges and a proprietary platform.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a $5 minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 with EA support. You also access MT4/MT5 with EA support for automated strategies.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades wins safety and regulation with FCA licensing and GBP 1,000,000 fund protection.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $5 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Alpari International |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and Alpari International rates 3.3/5. ActivTrades 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 lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with ActivTrades's 0.5. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ActivTrades holds top-tier regulation (FCA, CMVM, SCB), 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.
ActivTrades 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.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Alpari International lists up to 1000:1. 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 trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Neither ActivTrades nor Alpari International is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
ActivTrades scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Alpari International wins active traders with MT4/MT5 and EA support.
ActivTrades offers a $0 minimum deposit, easing beginner access.
ActivTrades provides broader access with 10 exchanges compared to 5.
ActivTrades is best for low cost trading due to commission-free standard accounts.
Equally matched.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FSC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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