Two brokers compete on access to global equities through CFDs and platform choice. The tension centers on exchange coverage and whether a proprietary platform adds value.
Alpari International and FBS are closely matched overall. Alpari International provides access to 5 exchanges, more than FBS which covers 3.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a $5 minimum deposit.
Choose FBS if…
Choose FBS if you want a $1 minimum deposit and a proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
FBS holds CySEC licensing alongside IFSC and FSCA, surpassing Alpari's Mauritius FSC.
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $5 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $20/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Alpari International and FBS share the same editorial score of 3.3/5. One concrete differentiator: FBS requires a lower minimum deposit.
Both Alpari International and FBS 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.
FBS has $1, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Alpari International is regulated by FSC, FSCA. FBS is regulated by FSCA, CySEC. Confirm a broker's current regulatory status on the relevant regulator's public register before opening an account.
For beginners, FBS requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry. Both brokers otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each brokers's site.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while FBS lists up to 3000:1. 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 FBS's $20 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.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Alpari International nor FBS 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.
FBS supports higher leverage, 3000:1, aiding active traders.
Alpari offers broader exchange coverage with five exchanges versus three for FBS.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| 2 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| 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 | FSC FSCA | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
Score 3.3 / 5
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