This comparison weighs two stock CFD specialists on regulation, access to global equities, and platform tools, highlighting tensions between offshore oversight and ASIC-backed protection.
ACY Securities edges Alpari International on editorial score; ACY also offers top-tier regulation and negative balance protection that Alpari lacks.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want top-tier regulation with negative balance protection.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want 24/5 live chat support and a $5 minimum deposit.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
ACY Securities wins for safety and regulation with ASIC oversight and negative balance protection.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | $5▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $6/lot▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | 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) | Fail | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and Alpari International rates 3.3/5. ACY Securities 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.
Both ACY Securities and Alpari International start from the same spread of 0. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
Alpari International has $5, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ACY Securities holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, FSA Seychelles), 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, two factors stand out: Alpari International requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry, and ACY Securities provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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, lower than ACY Securities's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ACY Securities has exclusive access to TradingView.
Neither ACY Securities 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.
ACY Securities wins for active traders due to ECN execution and advanced charting.
Alpari International wins for beginners with a $5 minimum deposit.
Alpari International wins for global reach across CIS, Asian, and emerging markets.
ACY Securities wins for low cost trading due to competitive ECN pricing.
Equally matched for long-term investing; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.7 pips |
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | 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 | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FSC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
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Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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