Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs Alpari, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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When it comes to choosing an online broker, Saxo and Alpari offer distinct differences in their trust rankings and regulatory credentials. Saxo, founded in 1992, operates as a bank and is not publicly traded. It holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, reflecting a strong regulatory standing. This is underscored by a stellar Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating it's highly trusted in the industry.
Alpari, established in 1998, also remains privately held but does not function as a bank. Unlike Saxo, Alpari holds no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, which affects its perceived reliability. With a Trust Score rating of 68, Alpari falls into the high-risk category according to ForexBrokers.com, suggesting potential investors exercise caution when considering this broker.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees between Saxo and Alpari, Saxo stands out with competitive pricing especially beneficial for high-volume traders and those maintaining significant account balances. Saxo’s pricing structure varies across its account types: Classic, Platinum, and VIP. For the popular EUR/USD currency pair, Saxo maintains spreads averaging 1.1, 1.0, and 0.9 pips for these accounts respectively, and it further reduces these spreads by approximately 0.2 pips as the minimum. Additionally, Saxo waives custody fees for those engaged in securities lending and offers commission-free forex trading, albeit with a ticket fee for low-volume traders. Rated 5 out of 5 stars, Saxo boasts a commendable #9 ranking for commissions and fees among 62 brokers.
Alpari, on the other hand, lacks detailed average spread data, making it difficult to provide a concrete comparison on that front. However, Alpari still receives a respectable 4-star rating for its commissions and fees. Among the evaluated brokers, Alpari holds the #41 position, indicating a satisfactory but not leading performance in terms of commission and fee structures.
In summary, while both brokers offer valuable services, Saxo's comprehensive pricing strategy, lower spreads, and exclusive account benefits make it an attractive choice for traders looking for cost efficiency in their trading activities. Alpari, while slightly less competitive, still presents itself as a solid option for those with different trading needs. Saxo and Alpari have distinct advantages, allowing traders to choose based on specific preferences and trading volumes.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the online brokers Saxo and Alpari, it's clear that Saxo offers a more extensive range of investment options. Saxo provides clients with access to an impressive 70,000 tradeable symbols, including 190 forex pairs. In addition, Saxo allows traders to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, making it possible to purchase stocks like Apple and Vodafone directly. For those interested in cryptocurrency, Saxo offers derivatives, though not the actual coins themselves. Notably, Saxo supports copy trading, enabling investors to replicate the strategies of experienced traders.
Alpari, on the other hand, offers a more limited selection with 105 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs. While it allows for exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, it does not include options on U.S. markets. Like Saxo, Alpari provides cryptocurrency derivatives and offers copy trading, allowing users to follow successful investment strategies. However, due to its narrower range of available investments, Alpari is rated three stars compared to Saxo's five for the range of investments. Consequently, Saxo holds a strong third-place ranking out of 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's evaluations, while Alpari ranks last.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 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) | 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 online trading platforms offered by Saxo and Alpari, both brokers provide a range of features that cater to various trading needs. Saxo and Alpari each offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without risking real money. Both brokers have developed proprietary platforms and offer desktop and web-based platforms, providing flexibility for traders on different devices. While copy trading is available from both, Alpari takes the lead in offering the popular MetaTrader platforms—MT4 and MT5—whereas Saxo does not support these. However, neither broker offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
In terms of charting tools, Saxo outshines with 20 drawing tools compared to Alpari’s 15, and offers the ability to execute trades directly from stock charts. Saxo also excels in watch list customization, with 60 fields for personalization versus just 7 fields from Alpari. Reflecting their comprehensive offerings, Saxo is rated 5 stars and ranks as the top broker for trading platforms and tools, while Alpari secures a 4-star rating and a #55 rank. This distinction underscores Saxo’s edge in delivering a premium trading experience.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Saxo and Alpari offer mobile trading apps that cater to iPhone and Android users. Traders on either platform can receive stock or forex price alerts directly to their devices. While both offer the ability to draw trendlines and view charts in multiple time frames, Saxo takes a lead with advanced charting features—boasting 64 technical studies compared to Alpari's 30. When it comes to saving chart drawings automatically, however, Saxo does so effectively, whereas Alpari does not provide this capability.
Synchronizing watchlists between devices is seamless with Saxo, allowing users to maintain their lists effortlessly, whether on mobile or online. Unfortunately, Alpari doesn't offer this feature. Both platforms allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, but in the realm of app quality and user satisfaction, Saxo is rated higher, receiving a perfect 5-star rating. It ranks an impressive second out of 62 brokers in mobile trading app evaluations, whereas Alpari, rated at 4 stars, stands at a distant 56th place. Saxo's mobile app functionality and user experience clearly set it apart for those seeking an integrated trading tool.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 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 the market research capabilities of online brokers Saxo and Alpari, several key differences emerge. Saxo provides daily market commentary, unlike Alpari. Both brokers furnish forex news from prominent sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, in addition to offering technical analysis tools from Autochartist. However, neither Saxo nor Alpari includes research tools from Trading Central or TipRanks, nor do they provide resources from Acuity Trading.
Saxo stands out with its sentiment-based trading tool, giving insights into long or short positions across currency pairs—a feature Alpari lacks. Both brokers, however, offer an economic calendar showcasing global news events. Saxo is highly regarded in research, earning 5 stars and ranked number one by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers. In contrast, Alpari holds a 3-star rating and ranks at #57, making Saxo the clear frontrunner in market research offerings.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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, Saxo shines with a comprehensive array of materials. Saxo offers more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, as well as monthly client webinars, which can be a valuable tool for continual learning. They also provide a searchable archive of past webinars, allowing users to access content anytime. Beginner traders can benefit from at least 10 educational videos specifically designed to cover trading basics. Advanced traders aren't left behind, with another set of 10 videos for more experienced users. Adding more value, Saxo includes an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, ensuring traders have a strong foundational understanding. These offerings contribute to Saxo's impressive 5-star education rating and a respected 13th place ranking out of 62 brokers.
Alpari, while offering some educational tools, provides a more modest selection compared to Saxo. Like Saxo, Alpari delivers more than 10 educational resources focused on forex and CFDs, as well as 10 beginner videos. They too promote an investor dictionary with over 50 terms to aid beginners in their learning journey. However, Alpari falls short in offering monthly client webinars and lacks a library of archived webinars, which can limit how users engage with the content at their own pace. Furthermore, advanced traders might find Alpari's offering lacking, as there are no advanced videos tailored for them. These limitations reflect in Alpari's 3-star education rating and a lower ranking of 48 among 62 brokers.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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 Saxo is better than Alpari. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
Saxo is an exclusive multi-asset broker with brilliant research and a superb trading platform experience – as well as a stunning selection of over 40,000 securities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 |
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Both Saxo and Alpari do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Saxo and Alpari offer Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for transactions, but neither supports ACH, SEPA, or PayPal, with Alpari uniquely providing Skrill as an additional option.
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 | Saxo | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
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| Regulation | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 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) | 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 | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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 | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Saxo | 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 | 64 | 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 | Saxo | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | 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 | Saxo | 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 | Saxo Review |
| Overall | Saxo | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
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