Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote 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.
Swissquote and Alpari both provide online trading services but differ in several key areas, starting with their founding years; Swissquote launched in 1996, while Alpari followed in 1998. A significant difference between the two is that Swissquote is publicly traded and operates as a bank, giving it a more substantial presence in the financial market. In contrast, Alpari is neither publicly traded nor a bank, which could affect investors’ perception regarding its financial stability.
When it comes to regulatory trust and safety, Swissquote stands out due to its impressive 99 out of 99 Trust Score, supported by holding five Tier-1 highly trusted licenses and two Tier-2 trusted licenses. Alpari, on the other hand, holds no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, which reflects in its lower Trust Score of 68. For those valuing high regulatory oversight and trust, Swissquote’s credentials provide a reassuring platform compared to Alpari, whose Trust Score suggests it carries a higher risk.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Swissquote offers investors the prestige of dealing with a Swiss banking giant but at a cost. Their fees and commissions are notably higher compared to the lowest-cost forex brokers, making them less appealing for budget-conscious traders. Swissquote's U.K. entity, Swissquote Ltd, provides the most competitive pricing, offering lower costs and lighter deposit requirements than their Swiss and Luxembourg branches. They offer various account options, with the Elite account presenting the best value for active traders due to its lower spreads and $5 per round-turn trade commission when you deposit at least $10,000.
Swissquote's Luxembourg branch reflects similar pricing to the U.K., offering a range of account types with minimum deposits starting at $1,000 and spreads from 0.8 to 1.5 pips. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, forex clients can choose from three accounts, with the Prime account offering spreads starting at 1.1 pips but requiring a hefty $50,000 deposit. Swissquote is rated 3.5 stars out of 5 for commissions and fees and ranks 52nd out of 62 brokers, highlighting its relatively high costs.
In contrast, Alpari is rated 4 stars out of 5 for its fees and commissions, indicating better affordability, although detailed average spread data is not disclosed. Alpari also fares better in rankings, securing the 41st position out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees. This suggests that Alpari is a more cost-effective choice for traders who are mindful of their trading expenses.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $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 | 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 the investment offerings of Swissquote and Alpari, Swissquote stands out with an impressive array of options. Swissquote provides access to 472 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, allowing investors more opportunities to diversify their portfolios. They also offer the ability to buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges like Apple shares and provide access to international exchanges, including companies like Vodafone. Additionally, Swissquote supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies and offers cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to those interested in digital assets. With these extensive offerings, Swissquote has earned a 5-star rating in Range of Investments and is ranked #2 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Alpari offers a more limited set of investment options. With access to 105 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs, their range is narrower compared to Swissquote. Alpari does not provide the option to invest directly in exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, although international exchange securities like Vodafone are available. While Alpari does offer cryptocurrency derivatives, they do not support the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Despite having copy trading features like Swissquote, Alpari is rated with 3 stars for its Range of Investments and is ranked #62 in the same category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 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 selecting a digital trading platform, Swissquote and Alpari both emerge as strong contenders, offering reliable tools and features for traders. Both brokers provide the convenience of simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, which is a significant advantage for beginners looking to practice or advanced traders testing new strategies without financial risk. The two platforms also showcase their proprietary trading platforms, catering to users seeking unique in-house solutions. Further adding to their flexibility, Swissquote and Alpari support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, together with Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms, ensuring traders can access the markets in a way that suits their preferences.
Despite the similarities, there are differences when comparing the two. Swissquote surpasses Alpari in the richness of tools offered, especially with its impressive range of 75 drawing tools for charting, compared to Alpari’s 15. This makes Swissquote a better choice for those keen on detailed technical analysis. Swissquote also allows users to organize sophisticated watch lists with 11 columns, compared to Alpari’s 7, providing comprehensiveness that serious traders may appreciate. These advantages are reflected in Swissquote's higher rating of 4.5 stars and a notable ranking of #12 by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Alpari holds a 4-star rating and ranks at #55 in the same category. Both platforms offer copy trading but do not support DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, keeping their offerings focused. Overall, Swissquote stands out as the slightly stronger platform in terms of tools and features, appealing to traders looking for a more thorough trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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) | 86 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Swissquote and Alpari offer user-friendly mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android devices, catering to traders on the go. With capabilities such as accessing stock or forex price alerts, drawing trendlines, and viewing multiple time frames on charts, both apps provide essential tools for effective trading. However, a distinctive advantage of Swissquote's mobile app is its ability to automatically save chart drawings, a feature unavailable in Alpari's version. Additionally, both platforms ensure traders can stay updated with real-time quotes through their customizable watchlists, although neither offers watchlist symbol syncing between mobile and online accounts.
When it comes to charting tools, both Swissquote and Alpari apps offer 30 technical studies, ensuring comprehensive analysis options for traders. However, Swissquote stands out with a higher user rating of 4.5 stars compared to Alpari's 4, as well as a superior ranking on ForexBrokers.com, coming in at 11th place out of 62, whereas Alpari is positioned at 56th. These distinctions make Swissquote a more favored choice among mobile trading enthusiasts seeking a seamless and efficient trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 Swissquote and Alpari in terms of market research offerings, Swissquote stands out by providing daily market commentary, which enhances its appeal to traders seeking regular insights. Both brokers offer forex news from leading providers such as Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring their clients have access to quality information. Additionally, Swissquote and Alpari both incorporate tools from Autochartist, supporting traders with technical and fundamental analysis. However, neither broker offers analysis tools from Trading Central or research from TipRanks, nor do they provide sentiment-based trading tools or resources from Acuity Trading.
Swissquote further sets itself apart with a comprehensive economic calendar that covers global news events, a feature also available at Alpari. In terms of ratings and rankings, Swissquote is rated 4 stars for its research services, significantly outperforming Alpari, which holds a 3-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote impressively ranks 16th out of 62 brokers in the Research category, while Alpari occupies the 57th position, indicating a stronger overall research offering from Swissquote compared to Alpari.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Swissquote and Alpari both cater to beginner traders with a solid range of educational resources. Each platform provides a minimum of 10 educational articles or videos focused on forex and CFDs, making them suitable for newcomers eager to learn. However, Swissquote sets itself apart by offering monthly online educational client webinars, which Alpari does not. Moreover, Swissquote maintains a searchable archive of these webinars, enabling users to revisit past sessions at their convenience. This contrasts with Alpari, which lacks a similar archive feature. Both platforms provide at least 10 beginner educational videos, ensuring foundational trading skills can be easily acquired.
For those looking to advance their trading expertise, Swissquote offers over 10 advanced educational videos tailored for experienced traders, while Alpari falls short in this area. Both brokers supply an investor dictionary with more than 50 investing terms, which aids in clarifying complex financial jargon. In terms of ratings, Swissquote receives four stars for its educational offerings, outshining Alpari's three-star rating. When ranked by ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote comes in at #21 out of 62 brokers, reflecting its stronger emphasis on education compared to Alpari's #48 ranking. Overall, Swissquote offers a more comprehensive educational suite for both novice and advanced traders.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 Swissquote is better than Alpari. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 |
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While both Swissquote and Alpari provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, Swissquote uniquely offers the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, whereas Alpari does not.
Swissquote stands out by offering a variety of deposit and withdrawal options including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while Alpari provides several options like Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but does not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal 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 | Swissquote | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | Alpari | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | 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) | Swissquote | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Swissquote | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $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 | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review |
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