In this matchup, Alpari International and Trading 212 present contrasting stock trading models and regulatory footprints. The tension centers on cost, access, and protection.
Trading 212 is the winner on editorial score over Alpari International, driven by stronger regulation and commission-free stock trading.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want short selling and 24/5 live chat support. You also get phone support and access to five exchanges.
Choose Trading 212 if…
Choose Trading 212 if you want commission-free real stock trading and fractional shares. You also gain an ISA option.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Trading 212 wins for low-cost trading with commission-free stock trades.
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $5 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Trading 212 rates 4.2/5 versus 3.3/5 for Alpari International. Trading 212 edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Alpari International starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Trading 212. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Trading 212 has $1, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes Trading 212 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Trading 212 holds top-tier regulation (FCA, 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.
Trading 212 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.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Trading 212 lists up to 1:5. 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 on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Trading 212 are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. 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 Trading 212 supports Trading 212 App. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Trading 212 has exclusive access to Trading 212 App.
Trading 212 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.
Trading 212 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.
Trading 212 is stronger for safety and regulation with FCA oversight and FSCS protection.
Trading 212 supports fractional shares and an ISA for long-term investing.
Alpari suits active traders with MT4/MT5 and EA support.
Trading 212 offers a low entry threshold with a $1 min deposit and fractional shares.
Alpari provides access to more exchanges, expanding global reach.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Trading 212 App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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