Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs Alpari, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
ActivTrades, established in 2001, and Alpari, founded in 1998, are both online brokerage firms not publicly listed on any stock exchange and do not operate as banks. When it comes to regulation, ActivTrades holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, reflecting a strong commitment to trust and transparency. On the other hand, Alpari does not hold any Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, indicating a different regulatory landscape.
ActivTrades scores an 81 on ForexBrokers.com's Trust Score, placing it in the trusted category, while Alpari scores 68, suggesting a higher risk according to the same scale. These scores give prospective users a straightforward indication of reliability and risk when considering where to invest their money.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers ActivTrades and Alpari, ActivTrades stands out slightly with spreads that are better than the industry average, although not as competitive as some of the leading low-cost forex brokers. ActivTrades provides an Individual Account as its primary offering, alongside Professional and Islamic Account options, while also allowing traders to experiment with a demo account. Despite offering these varying account types, ActivTrades does not cater specifically to high-volume traders with distinct pricing models. Their Professional Account mainly offers lower margin requirements, and the Islamic Account meets Sharia compliance without altering spreads, which stay consistent across all account types.
In contrast, Alpari does not publish detailed average spread data like ActivTrades, leaving potential traders without specific figures to review. ActivTrades lists its intended spreads for each asset, though actual spreads can float during trading hours, particularly during rollover periods when they may widen—a routine occurrence among brokers. When directly queried, ActivTrades reported an average spread of 0.98 pips for EUR/USD in May 2024.
Looking at outside ratings from ForexBrokers.com, both brokers share a 4-star rating for their commissions and fees. However, ActivTrades secures a higher position, ranked 27th out of 62 brokers, while Alpari trails behind at 41st. This ranking further indicates that while both brokers are adequately rated, ActivTrades is generally considered to provide slightly better value in terms of fees and commissions.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing ActivTrades and Alpari on their range of available investments, ActivTrades stands out with 1,267 tradeable symbols, significantly surpassing Alpari's 105. Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but ActivTrades provides access to 49 forex pairs in contrast to Alpari's 46. Although neither broker allows clients to trade U.S. exchange-listed securities such as Apple shares directly, they both offer trading in international securities like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange.
Both ActivTrades and Alpari facilitate copy trading and offer products derived from cryptocurrencies rather than the actual digital coins themselves. ActivTrades earns a higher rating of 4 stars for its range of investments, aligning with its rank of #31 out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Alpari receives 3 stars, positioned at the bottom of the same list, ranked #62. This makes ActivTrades a more attractive option for traders seeking variety in their investment choices.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When it comes to online trading platforms and tools, both ActivTrades and Alpari offer a comprehensive range of features that cater to traders' needs, including virtual demo accounts, copy trading, and compatibility with popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5. ActivTrades and Alpari also provide proprietary platforms developed in-house, alongside browser-based trading systems and Windows desktop downloads. Traders with a preference for technical analysis will find both brokers accommodating, offering 15 drawing tools for charting and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. However, when it comes to customizable watch lists, ActivTrades has an edge with 11 available columns compared to Alpari's 7.
In terms of ratings, both ActivTrades and Alpari score a solid 4 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools. However, in a broader comparison by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades stands out, securing a higher ranking at #29, while Alpari is positioned at #55 out of 62 brokers. This higher ranking may reflect ActivTrades' broader offering in certain areas, although neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade integrations. For traders looking for a variety of platform options and a few more functionalities, ActivTrades may present a more compelling choice. Nonetheless, both brokers provide well-rounded solutions for various trading preferences.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of ActivTrades and Alpari, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android users. Users of both platforms can receive alerts for stock or forex prices, and they have the ability to draw trendlines on charts while also viewing different time frames such as daily or weekly views. A notable difference between the two is that ActivTrades automatically saves drawing adjustments, offering a convenient feature that Alpari does not. Additionally, although both allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, neither offers watchlist symbol syncing which means changes aren't automatically reflected across devices. Both brokers equip traders with 30 technical studies for chart analysis, providing a fair level of insight for mobile traders.
In terms of ratings and rankings, ActivTrades and Alpari both receive a respectable four-star rating for their mobile trading apps. However, when compared to 62 brokers, ActivTrades stands out with a higher ranking, securing the 19th spot, whereas Alpari is further down the list at 56. This suggests that while both brokers offer fairly good mobile trading experiences, ActivTrades might provide some additional advantages that elevate its app in the eyes of its users and reviewers. Whether you prioritize automatic saving of drawings or other fine details, ActivTrades' higher ranking might make it a more appealing choice for those seeking a slightly more refined mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing ActivTrades and Alpari for market research options, ActivTrades clearly stands out with its comprehensive offerings. It provides daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring you stay informed with high-quality information. Additionally, ActivTrades offers a sentiment-based trading tool that gives insights into market positions, and its users can benefit from a detailed economic calendar that highlights global news events. In contrast, while Alpari also provides access to quality forex news and an economic calendar, it lacks daily market commentary and doesn't have a sentiment-based trading tool.
Alpari does provide technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which can help in analyzing market trends, while ActivTrades does not offer this feature. Neither broker offers tools from Trading Central or research from Acuity Trading and TipRanks. In terms of overall research ratings, ActivTrades is rated higher with four stars and holds the 30th position out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. Alpari, with a three-star rating, ranks 57th, indicating that ActivTrades might be the better choice for those who prioritize in-depth market research and insights.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, ActivTrades appears to have an edge over Alpari. Both brokers provide more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, delivering a good foundation for those starting out in trading. However, ActivTrades distinguishes itself with monthly online webinars, a feature not offered by Alpari. Moreover, ActivTrades provides a searchable archive of these webinars, enabling beginners to access a wealth of recorded material at their convenience.
Alpari does offer a range of resources, including at least 10 beginner videos, which matches ActivTrades' offerings in this area. Yet, while ActivTrades extends its video library to cover advanced topics for experienced traders, Alpari does not. Adding to this, Alpari includes an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, a feature ActivTrades does not offer. Nonetheless, ActivTrades surpasses Alpari in overall educational quality, reflected in its 4-star rating and higher rank by ForexBrokers.com. Although both platforms aim to educate traders, ActivTrades provides a more comprehensive learning experience for both novices and advanced traders.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ActivTrades is better than Alpari. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
ActivTrades is a long-standing brand that offers a proprietary trading platform, ActivTrader, and support for the award-winning TradingView and MetaTrader (MT4 and MT5) platforms. ActivTrades also delivers a selection of custom add-ons, indicators, and trading tools for traders who prefer to use MetaTrader. Drawbacks for trading with ActivTrades include a smaller selection of tradeable symbols and fewer educational resources than what’s available from the best forex brokers.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 68 |
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Both ActivTrades and Alpari do not provide options for purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they each offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers ActivTrades and Alpari, both do not offer ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal for account transactions, but they do provide Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing funds.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 81 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | ActivTrades | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
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