Alpari International vs IG Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Alpari International and IG across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Alpari offers stocks CFDs on major global equities - an accessible multi-asset platform popular in CIS markets with very low minimum deposit, primarily regulated offshore.
IG comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.5/5 compared to Alpari International's 3.3/5.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
IG has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
IG has the edge for active traders: more platform options, advanced charting.
IG edges out Alpari International with a higher editorial score (4.5/5 vs 3.3/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new stock investors.
Commission data is not yet available for this pair. Check each broker's pricing page to compare trading costs directly.
Long-term investing feature data (fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, IPO access) is not yet available for this pair.
Alpari International vs IG: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $5 | No minimum |
| Commission-free | No | No |
| Fractional shares | No | No |
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
| IPO access | No | No |
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
| Regulators | FSCA FSC | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI KNF Finanstilsynet |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
| Visit broker | Visit Alpari International | Visit IG |
Alpari International vs IG Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- $5 minimum deposit - lowest barrier to entry for stocks CFD access
- MT4/MT5 with full EA support for automated equity strategies
- Wide global reach across CIS, Asian, and emerging markets
- Offshore regulation (FSC Mauritius) - minimal investor protection
- Limited stock selection vs dedicated equity brokers
- No real share ownership - CFDs only
- Exchange-listed options trading alongside real share dealing in one account
- Bonds trading available in the same account as equities and options
- Stocks & Shares ISA with no annual platform fee
- 13,000+ shares across 30+ global exchanges
- FCA-regulated and LSE-listed - among the highest regulatory standards in UK retail
- Integrated ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and Morningstar research
- Share dealing commission (£8 or 0.1%) is higher than commission-free platforms
- No SIPP - pension wrapper requires a separate provider
- Options trading requires a DMA account and is not available to all retail clients
- No fractional shares on the share dealing account
Alpari International vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Alpari International vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.5/5 vs 3.3/5 for Alpari International. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Neither Alpari International nor IG 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.
IG scores higher on our regulatory safety criteria, with top-tier regulatory oversight, segregated client funds, compensation scheme coverage. For stock investors, regulatory safety is critical — always confirm a broker's specific licences and investor protections before depositing funds.
IG has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes IG more accessible for traders starting with limited capital.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and IG offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView. Platform availability affects the tools, charting, and order types available to you. If you rely on a specific platform like MetaTrader or a proprietary web app, confirm compatibility before opening an account.
For beginners: IG has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum); IG offers negative balance protection; IG has a higher overall editorial score. Also compare educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of each broker's platform before deciding.
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