Two brokers face off on regulatory safety versus accessibility: Alpari International offers a low entry and broad platforms, while Windsor Brokers emphasizes stronger regulation and investor protections.
Alpari International and Windsor Brokers are closely matched overall. Windsor provides stronger safety protections with compensation and negative balance protection, while Alpari offers 24/5 live chat support.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a very low $5 minimum deposit and 24/5 live chat.
Choose Windsor Brokers if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you need CySEC regulation with compensation and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Windsor Brokers benefits from CySEC regulation with ICF compensation and negative balance protection.
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $5▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $8/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Windsor Brokers rates 3.4/5. Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Windsor Brokers holds top-tier regulation (CySEC, FSCA), 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 Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers 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.
Alpari International charges $6 per trade, lower than Windsor Brokers's $8 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 Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Alpari International nor Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers 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.
Alpari International supports full MT4/MT5 EA automation for equities.
Alpari's low deposit and broad platform access attract novice traders.
Alpari emphasizes wide CIS, Asian, and emerging market reach.
Alpari International offers a $5 minimum deposit, reducing entry costs.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| 0.8 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| 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 | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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