Two brokers race to attract global stock CFD traders with different regulatory profiles and platform ecosystems. The contrast centers on oversight, platform breadth, and entry barriers.
FXOpen outperforms Alpari International on the overall editorial score due to higher regulation and a broader platform suite.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you value 24/5 live chat support.
Choose FXOpen if…
Choose FXOpen if you want top tier regulators and compensation schemes with negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
FXOpen wins for safety and regulation with top tier regulators and compensation scheme.
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $5▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $3/lot▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | FXOpen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.3/5 and FXOpen rates 3.6/5. FXOpen 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 Alpari International and FXOpen 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 FXOpen requires at least $100. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FXOpen 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Alpari International requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry, and FXOpen 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 FXOpen lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FXOpen charges $3 per trade, lower than Alpari International's $6 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 FXOpen supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. FXOpen has exclusive access to cTrader.
Neither Alpari International nor FXOpen 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.
FXOpen 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.
FXOpen wins for active traders due to ECN/STP execution and a broader platform suite.
Alpari International wins for beginners with a $5 minimum deposit and 24/5 live chat.
Equally matched; both offer access across five exchanges.
Alpari International offers the lowest entry barrier with a $5 minimum deposit.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.6 pips |
| 0.3 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto |
|---|
| 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 | FCA ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | cTrader 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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