Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro 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.
eToro and Alpari are prominent names in the online brokerage space, each with their distinct features and regulatory standings. eToro was founded in 2007, and while not publicly traded or a bank, it holds three Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. It has earned a Trust Score of 93 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, underscoring its reputation as a highly trusted platform for online trading.
In contrast, Alpari, established in 1998, also operates without being publicly traded or as a bank. However, it does not possess any Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, which impacts its trustworthiness. With a Trust Score of 68, Alpari is considered to be high risk according to ForexBrokers.com ratings. This highlights a notable difference in the regulatory confidence between the two brokers, with eToro standing out as the more secure option for traders.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing eToro and Alpari in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers offer distinct advantages for traders, but they cater to different preferences. eToro, a market-maker broker, is well-known for its slightly higher-than-average variable spread of 1 pip on the EUR/USD pair. Although this might not make eToro the first choice for traders prioritizing low spreads, its unique selling point is the social copy trading platform. This feature is particularly appealing to traders interested in replicating successful trading strategies from other users.
Meanwhile, Alpari's specific spread data is not disclosed, making it harder to directly compare it with eToro's offerings in terms of spread tightness. However, based on ForexBrokers.com rankings, Alpari holds a respectable position with a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, slightly below eToro’s 4.5-star rating. The brokers are ranked 41st and 22nd, respectively, among 62 brokers, which signifies eToro's slight edge over Alpari in this category.
For those considering VIP memberships, eToro stands out with its eToro Club, which offers five tiers ranging from Silver to Diamond. Benefits include access to Trading Central, lower withdrawal and deposit fees, and dedicated account management, tailored for traders with account balances between $5,000 and $250,000. These features may offer an appealing advantage for traders who are looking for additional services beyond just competitive spreads and fees.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 eToro and Alpari in terms of their range of investment offerings, eToro emerges as a more diverse platform. With 5,461 tradeable symbols, eToro vastly outnumbers Alpari's 105 symbols. In forex trading, both platforms offer it as CFDs or spot contracts, with eToro providing access to 55 forex pairs compared to Alpari's 46. For those interested in direct investment in the stock market, eToro offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges like Apple shares, a service Alpari does not provide. Both platforms do allow for trading on international exchanges, enabling access to global giants like Vodafone. eToro also supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies in addition to derivatives, whereas Alpari only deals in cryptocurrency derivatives.
eToro further sets itself apart by offering comprehensive copy trading options, allowing users to mirror the trades of successful investors, a feature available on Alpari as well. Overall, eToro receives a five-star rating for its range of investments, ranking #10 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Alpari receives a three-star rating and ranks last at #62, underscoring the broader, more flexible trading options available to eToro users. Whether you're interested in forex, stocks, or cryptocurrencies, eToro presents a more expansive selection than Alpari.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 comparing eToro and Alpari on their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide users with a simulated trading option through a free virtual demo account. They each offer proprietary platforms developed in-house, catering to their unique features and user interfaces. However, eToro doesn't offer a Windows-based desktop download, rather it focuses on a web-based platform which is also available through Alpari. Both platforms support copy trading, expanding trading opportunities for users who prefer this feature.
In terms of popular third-party platforms, Alpari stands out by offering MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which eToro does not. eToro, however, excels in the variety of drawing tools for charting, offering 161, compared to Alpari's 15. eToro's watch lists also feature fewer columns than Alpari, with six compared to seven, and doesn't allow for direct trading from stock charts, a feature available with Alpari. Overall, eToro receives a slightly higher user rating of 4.5 stars compared to Alpari's 4 stars, and ranks #8 out of 62 brokers for trading platforms and tools, whereas Alpari ranks at #55 by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
eToro and Alpari both provide mobile apps available for iPhone and Android users, complete with critical features like price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, eToro offers superior watchlist integration, allowing portfolios and lists to sync seamlessly between mobile and online platforms, a feature Alpari lacks. When it comes to charting capabilities, eToro provides access to 104 technical studies, considerably more than Alpari's 30. Yet, Alpari takes the lead when it comes to drawing trendlines on charts, a functionality that is not supported by eToro's app. Both platforms allow users to view multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday, and do not auto-save drawings on charts.
In terms of user ratings and industry recognition, eToro's mobile app scores a robust 4.5 out of five stars and ranks 11th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Alpari follows suit with a still commendable 4-star rating but falls behind in industry ranking at 56th place. This suggests that while both apps have strong offerings, eToro holds a slight edge among users and experts alike for those prioritizing advanced features and integration across devices.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing eToro to Alpari in terms of market research, several key differences emerge. eToro provides daily market commentary and a sentiment-based trading tool that highlights the ratio of long and short positions across various currency pairs. Additionally, it offers research from TipRanks and tools from Trading Central, along with an economic calendar to keep users informed about global events. However, eToro lacks forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters and does not provide tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading. eToro earns a high research rating of 4.5 stars and is ranked 13th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Alpari excels with its access to forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters and provides tools from Autochartist, which could be beneficial for traders interested in detailed technical analysis. Although Alpari offers an economic calendar, it does not provide a sentiment-based trading tool, TipRanks research, or Trading Central tools. This results in a lower research rating of 3 stars and a 57th-place ranking among 62 brokers. For those focusing on comprehensive market commentary and advanced sentiment tools, eToro may be more appealing, whereas Alpari might attract those seeking high-quality news and Autochartist resources.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing eToro and Alpari on educational resources for beginners, eToro clearly stands out as an excellent choice. Both platforms offer over ten educational pieces on forex or CFDs, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars, making it easy for newcomers to grasp the basics. However, eToro further distinguishes itself by providing monthly webinars and maintaining a searchable archive of recorded sessions, which Alpari does not offer. This feature enables beginners to learn at their own pace and access past content conveniently. Additionally, while both brokers present a wealth of beginner videos, eToro surpasses Alpari by also catering to advanced traders with ten advanced videos available.
eToro further enhances its educational offerings with a comprehensive investor dictionary featuring over 50 investing terms, a resource Alpari also provides. Nevertheless, eToro's superior educational framework is reflected in its 4.5-star rating compared to Alpari's 3-star rating, according to the Education category by ForexBrokers.com. Among 62 brokers, eToro ranks at an impressive #5, whereas Alpari lags behind at #48. This stark difference highlights eToro's commitment to fostering an enriched learning environment for those eager to dive into trading.
| Feature |
eToro
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that eToro is better than Alpari. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
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Alpari
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| Trust Score | 93 | 68 |
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eToro allows users to buy actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Alpari only provides the option to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
eToro offers a wider range of deposit and withdrawal options compared to Alpari, supporting ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, as well as Visa and Mastercard, whereas Alpari lacks ACH and SEPA support but still allows transactions via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, which are also supported by eToro.
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 | eToro | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
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| Regulation | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | eToro | 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 | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | eToro | 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 | eToro Review |
| Overall | eToro | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
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