In this stocks CFD comparison, Alpari International markets a low $5 minimum and MT4/MT5 with EA support, while Forex.com emphasizes broader regulation and multi-platform access.
Forex.com is the overall winner, scoring higher on the editorial score and regulation breadth than Alpari International.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a $5 minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 with EA support.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you want top-tier regulation and access to 8 exchanges with MT4/MT5 and a proprietary Web Trader.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Forex.com wins for safety and regulation with multiple top-tier authorities.
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $5▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| 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 |
Forex.com rates 3.9/5 versus 3.3/5 for Alpari International. Forex.com 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 Forex.com's 1. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Alpari International has $5, while Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Forex.com holds top-tier regulation (IIROC, FCA, MAS), 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 Forex.com provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Forex.com lists up to 20:1. 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 Forex.com'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.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Forex.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither Alpari International nor Forex.com 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.
Forex.com 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.
Forex.com wins for active traders with research tools and multiple platforms.
Alpari International wins for beginners with a $5 minimum deposit.
Forex.com wins for global market access with 8 exchanges.
Alpari International wins for low entry cost with a $5 minimum deposit.
Equally matched; neither offers real share ownership or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| 1.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | $15/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| 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 | IIROC FCA MAS ASIC CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
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Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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