Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of iFOREX 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.
iFOREX and Alpari are online brokerage firms catering to the needs of forex traders, each with their unique features and regulatory standings. iFOREX, established in 1996, carries one Tier-1 license and has a Trust Score rating of 75, indicating average risk according to ForexBrokers.com. Being a privately held company, iFOREX is not listed on any stock exchange and is not a bank. In contrast, Alpari, founded in 1998, holds no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses and has a Trust Score rating of 68, suggesting a higher risk for traders.
Neither iFOREX nor Alpari are publicly traded entities or banks. Despite their similarities in being privately owned and non-banking institutions, iFOREX stands out with its regulatory compliance, possessing one highly trusted Tier-1 license, whereas Alpari lacks this credential. For traders prioritizing trust and regulatory backing, iFOREX may present a slightly more reliable option compared to Alpari, based on the data provided by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
iFOREX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing iFOREX to Alpari, there are notable differences in their commissions and fees structures. For iFOREX, the average spread data is not provided, which can make it challenging to fully evaluate its cost-effectiveness. ForexBrokers.com has rated iFOREX with 3 out of 5 stars in the Commissions and Fees category. Additionally, it ranks 60th out of 62 brokers, indicating that there may be more cost-efficient options available for traders.
In contrast, Alpari also does not provide average spread data, but it is rated slightly higher by ForexBrokers.com for its commissions and fees. Alpari receives 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 41st among 62 brokers. This suggests that Alpari may offer a more competitive pricing structure compared to iFOREX, making it a potentially better choice for cost-conscious traders.
Both iFOREX and Alpari offer unique features, but when it comes to commissions and fees, Alpari appears to have the edge based on ratings and rankings. Traders seeking to optimize their trading costs might consider exploring Alpari further, given its higher rating and ranking in this category.
| Feature |
iFOREX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 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) | 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 iFOREX to Alpari in terms of available range of investments, iFOREX offers a significantly greater variety with 750 tradeable symbols, including 88 forex pairs. Alpari, on the other hand, provides access to 105 tradeable symbols, with 46 forex pairs available to traders. Both platforms enable forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, but iFOREX stands out with its broader selection, earning a rating of 3.5 stars for its range of investments compared to Alpari's 3 stars. Furthermore, iFOREX is ranked 41st out of 62 brokers in its category, while Alpari is positioned at 62nd.
Despite the larger selection of tradeable items, iFOREX does not allow clients to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, nor does it offer copy trading. Alpari, in contrast, permits the acquisition of shares on international exchanges, such as Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, and supports copy trading, providing an avenue for investors to mirror the strategies of experienced traders. Nevertheless, neither platform provides options for buying actual cryptocurrencies; both only offer derivatives in this asset class.
| Feature |
iFOREX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 750 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 88 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools of iFOREX and Alpari, both brokers offer unique benefits. iFOREX provides a proprietary platform developed in-house and a convenient web-based trading option, although it lacks a Windows desktop download and features like MetaTrader 4 and 5. Alpari, on the other hand, offers broad accessibility with its Windows-based platform and popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 programs. Alpari also supports copy trading and features a free demo account for virtual trading, while iFOREX doesn't offer these services. In terms of charting tools, iFOREX provides 25 drawing options, surpassing Alpari's 15, although both platforms enable trading directly from stock charts.
Regarding customization, iFOREX offers nine fields for creating personalized watch lists compared to Alpari’s seven. Both platforms receive a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, but ForexBrokers.com ranks iFOREX slightly higher at #54, with Alpari following closely at #55 out of 62 brokers. These small variations may influence a trader’s choice depending on their specific needs for platform features and trading flexibility.
| Feature |
iFOREX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | No | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 57 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 25 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 9 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps offered by iFOREX and Alpari, both brokers have apps available for iPhone and Android devices, making them easily accessible for a variety of users. However, Alpari pulls ahead in functionality by offering more features such as stock and forex price alerts, and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. This makes it a more feature-rich option for traders who heavily rely on timely updates and need to keep track of multiple investments. Additionally, Alpari offers 30 technical studies and allows users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, making it a more comprehensive tool for technical analysis. These features are not available on the iFOREX app, potentially limiting its usage for more advanced trading needs.
Despite Alpari's broader range of features, both iFOREX and Alpari share a few common limitations. Neither broker supports watchlist symbol syncing or auto-saving of chart drawings, which could be an inconvenience for users managing their trades across different platforms. In terms of user ratings, the mobile apps of both brokers receive a respectable four-star rating. Moreover, on ForexBrokers.com, iFOREX holds the 55th position, slightly ahead of Alpari, which is ranked 56th out of 62 brokers in the mobile trading apps category. These rankings suggest that while both apps meet fundamental trading needs, they could benefit from additional enhancements to climb higher in user rankings and overall competitiveness.
| Feature |
iFOREX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | N/A | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, iFOREX and Alpari cater to different trader needs. iFOREX provides daily market commentary and offers sentiment-based trading tools, which help traders gauge market moods. It also features technical analysis tools from Trading Central, giving traders insights to make informed decisions. Meanwhile, Alpari excels in delivering forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, and it offers technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which many traders find valuable. Both brokers offer an economic calendar to keep users informed of global events impacting the financial markets.
Despite having different strengths, iFOREX slightly edges out Alpari in terms of overall research quality. iFOREX has a research rating of 3.5 stars, ranking 48th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Alpari is rated 3 stars and ranks 57th. While iFOREX offers valuable sentiment tools and daily insights, Alpari's access to top-tier forex news and advanced technical analysis features make it a strong contender for traders looking for diverse research options.
| Feature |
iFOREX
|
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 | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing iFOREX and Alpari for educational resources aimed at beginners, there are a few key differences to note. iFOREX provides a collection of beginner educational videos that cover various trading topics. However, it doesn't offer a wide range of educational materials such as articles or webinars focused on forex or CFDs, nor does it have an investor dictionary. This limits the breadth of educational resources available to newcomers. In terms of their educational offerings, iFOREX earns a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #53 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, indicating a modest position in the market.
On the other hand, Alpari excels in providing a more extensive collection of educational materials, with articles, videos, and archived webinars centered on forex and CFDs, meeting the needs of those looking to deepen their understanding. While it also provides beginner-focused educational videos, Alpari stands out by offering an investor dictionary that explains over 50 investing terms, aiding the learning process for new traders. Despite these resources, the lack of monthly webinars and limited advanced content may still leave some gaps for learners. Alpari's education is rated at 3 stars, with a #48 rank out of 62 brokers, reflecting a solid offering but with room for improvement.
| Feature |
iFOREX
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | 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 iFOREX is better than Alpari. iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
iFOREX is operated by a long-standing company, previously known as Vestle, with regulatory status in a growing number of jurisdictions, offering forex and CFDs through its proprietary platform. The biggest drawback is the lack of markets you can trade with fewer than 200, compared to the best multi asset forex and CFD brokers.
| Feature |
iFOREX
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Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 75 | 68 |
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Both iFOREX and Alpari offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither provides the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency.
iFOREX and Alpari both provide various options for funding and withdrawing from accounts, including Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, but iFOREX uniquely offers PayPal, whereas neither broker supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | iFOREX | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 75 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Regulation | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 75 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | iFOREX | 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). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | iFOREX | 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 | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 750 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 88 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | No | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 9 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 57 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 25 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | No | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | No | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | N/A | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | iFOREX | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | iFOREX | 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 |
| Overall | iFOREX | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 75 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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