Two brokers are evaluated on regulation, platform depth, and stock access. Admirals combines real stock ownership with MetaTrader trading, while Alpari focuses on CFDs and offshore regulation.
Admirals outpaces Alpari International on the editorial score, with higher Trust & Regulation (4.4 vs 3.2) and Platforms & Tools (4.2 vs 3.5). Alpari International trails in overall scoring.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Admirals if…
Choose Admirals if you want real stock ownership via Invest.MT5 and a large stock universe.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you value a $5 minimum deposit and full MT4/MT5 EA support.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Admirals wins for low cost trading due to zero commission Invest.MT5 real shares.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $5 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Admirals | 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 | Pass | 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 |
Admirals rates 4/5 versus 3.3/5 for Alpari International. Admirals edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Alpari International lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Admirals'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.
Admirals has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes Admirals more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Admirals holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, CySEC), 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.
Admirals 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.
Admirals 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.
Both Admirals and Alpari International charge the same commission of $6 per trade on applicable accounts. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Admirals offers commission-free stock trading while Alpari International does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Admirals 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.
Admirals wins for safety & regulation with FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and KNF oversight.
Admirals suits active traders with MT4/MT5 access and real stocks.
Admirals offers broader global access with more exchanges and regulation.
Admirals wins for long-term investing with real shares and zero-commission options.
| 1.1 pips |
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 24 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC KNF | FSC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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