Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 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.
Trading 212, founded in 2004, and Alpari, established in 1998, are both prominent names in the world of online trading. Neither company is publicly traded or functions as a bank. In terms of regulatory credentials, Trading 212 holds two Tier-1 licenses, highlighting its compliance with top-tier regulatory standards and earning it a Trust Score of 79 from ForexBrokers.com, which suggests an average risk. On the other hand, Alpari holds no Tier-1 licenses and has a Trust Score of 68, placing it in the high-risk category according to ForexBrokers.com.
While both brokers provide online trading services without being listed on a stock exchange, Trading 212's regulatory status distinguishes it with a higher level of credibility. The possession of Tier-1 licenses by Trading 212 indicates a more reliable regulatory infrastructure compared to Alpari, which lacks such credentials. As such, potential clients considering these brokers might find Trading 212 to be a more secure option due to its higher level of compliance and slightly better trust rating in the industry.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing Trading 212 and Alpari in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers offer competitive options but with some key differences. Trading 212 provides two account types: Invest and CFD, with the CFD account requiring a minimum deposit of 10 euros. While Trading 212 advertises zero-commission trading, traders are still required to cover the spread, which was an average of 1.9 pips for the EUR/USD pair in January 2024. This spread is relatively high, placing Trading 212 at a disadvantage compared to other top brokers in the CFD and forex market.
On the other hand, Alpari does not provide average spread data, making a direct numerical comparison challenging. Nevertheless, both Trading 212 and Alpari have received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for their commissions and fees, indicating a generally positive reception from users. The lack of precise spread information from Alpari, however, might make cost expectations less clear for new users.
In the rankings by ForexBrokers.com for the Commissions and Fees category, Trading 212 is positioned at number 43, while Alpari is slightly ahead at number 41 out of 62 brokers. While both brokers are rated similarly, potential traders might consider these rankings along with the availability of average spread data when choosing their preferred brokerage service.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 range of investments available from Trading 212 versus Alpari, Trading 212 stands out with a significantly broader selection. Offering 8,025 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs, Trading 212 provides a diverse platform for investors. Additionally, it allows clients to access exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, which includes buying shares like Apple from NASDAQ. This makes it an appealing choice for those seeking a wide array of investment options, although it does not support copy trading or the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
On the other hand, Alpari falls short in terms of variety, presenting only 105 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs. While it supports exchange traded securities on international exchanges, it does not offer access to securities on U.S. exchanges. Alpari does differentiate itself by providing a copy trading feature, which might be attractive to investors looking to mimic the strategies of successful traders. Both brokers allow trading cryptocurrency derivatives but not the actual cryptocurrencies. Overall, Trading 212 is rated higher for its range of investments, receiving 5 stars compared to Alpari's 3 stars, and ranks 15th out of 62 brokers, while Alpari is at the bottom of the list at 62nd.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 Trading 212 and Alpari for trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer a range of helpful features designed to appeal to new and experienced traders alike. They each provide a free virtual demo account for users to practice trading without financial risk, and both possess proprietary platforms developed in-house. Trading 212 leans heavily on its sleek web-based platform, eschewing a Windows desktop application. In contrast, Alpari offers both a Windows-based desktop option and a browser-based platform. While Alpari supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 as industry-standard platforms, Trading 212 does not, focusing instead on its unique platform approach.
Feature-wise, Trading 212 provides 20 drawing tools for charting, slightly outpacing Alpari's 15, and allows trading directly from stock charts, as does Alpari. However, Trading 212 doesn't support copy trading, an option available at Alpari. Watch lists at Trading 212 are capped at 5 fields compared to Alpari's more expansive 7. Both brokers earn a solid 4-star rating for their platforms and tools, but Trading 212 edges ahead in rankings, placing 21st out of 62 brokers, whereas Alpari sits at 55th. Ultimately, your choice might hinge on preferred trading platforms, as well as the prioritization of specific trading features.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | 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) | 54 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Trading 212 and Alpari, both platforms offer apps for iPhone and Android devices, and each provides stock or forex price alerts. However, Trading 212 enhances the trading experience by syncing watchlist symbols between the mobile app and a client’s online account, ensuring any changes update seamlessly across both platforms, a feature that Alpari lacks. In terms of charting capabilities, Trading 212 offers more extensive options with 104 technical studies compared to Alpari's 30. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple timeframes on charts, but Trading 212 takes the edge with its auto-save function for chart drawings.
Watchlists with real-time quotes are available on both apps, catering to those needing instant market updates. In overall performance, Trading 212 garners a user rating of 4 stars out of 5, which is equal to Alpari's rating. However, Trading 212 holds a more favorable position, being ranked 17th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, while Alpari stands at 56th. This suggests Trading 212 might offer a more comprehensive and user-friendly mobile trading experience compared to Alpari, especially for those seeking more advanced features and seamless account integration.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 | 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 Trading 212 and Alpari for market research features, both brokers provide forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, and they also offer economic calendars that showcase global news events. These tools are crucial for traders aiming to stay informed about market shifts. However, differences emerge in other areas of research offerings. Trading 212 provides a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long or short positions, enabling traders to gauge market sentiment across various instruments. In contrast, Alpari shines by offering technical analysis tools from Autochartist, assisting traders in making informed decisions through detailed research insights.
Neither Trading 212 nor Alpari provides market research access from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading, nor do they offer tools from Trading Central. However, Trading 212 has a slight edge in ratings, with a 3.5-star research score compared to Alpari's 3-star rating. This performance is reflected in their respective ranks by ForexBrokers.com, where Trading 212 stands at #46 out of 62 brokers, while Alpari is positioned at #57. For traders prioritizing a sentiment tool and a slightly higher research capability, Trading 212 might be the preferable choice.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | 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, Trading 212 and Alpari both provide a foundation with a collection of educational materials focused on forex and CFDs. Trading 212 stands out with a monthly schedule of live webinars designed to engage clients in active learning, alongside a searchable archive for accessing past sessions. Although Alpari provides a good selection of articles and videos aimed at novice traders, it lacks the interactive element of regular webinars and a comprehensive archive, which can hinder an ongoing learning experience. For beginner-friendly videos, both platforms meet expectations, offering over ten dedicated videos to introduce new traders to the world of trading.
Trading 212 further distinguishes itself by catering to more advanced learners with a wide selection of educational videos that delve into complex trading strategies, a feature missing from Alpari's offerings. Both brokers present an investor dictionary with numerous investing terms to assist newcomers in familiarizing themselves with essential jargon. Rating-wise, Trading 212 holds a higher position with a rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 20th out of 62 brokers for their education provision according to ForexBrokers.com, while Alpari receives a slightly lower rating of 3 stars, securing the 48th place. Such rankings highlight Trading 212 as a stronger contender for those prioritizing educational guidance in their trading journey.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 Trading 212 is better than Alpari. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
Best known for its mobile trading app, Trading 212 offers an easy-to-use trading platform suite for CFD and share trading, as well as a large variety of forex pairs. However, despite its well-designed platform and wide range of symbols, its lack of advanced trading tools and flat research offerings hamper Trading 212’s bid to be considered a top broker.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
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| Trust Score | 79 | 68 |
| Range of Investments |
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| Commissions & Fees |
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| Platform & Tools |
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Both Trading 212 and Alpari do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency but provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers, Trading 212 offers versatile deposit and withdrawal options including ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while Alpari supports Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, lacking ACH/SEPA and PayPal facilities.
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 | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 79 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | 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) | Trading 212 | 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 | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Trading 212 | 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 | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Trading 212 | 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 | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | 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 | Trading 212 | 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 | Trading 212 | 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 | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review |
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