Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Vantage 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.
Vantage, established in 2009, holds a favorable position in the world of online trading. Although not publicly traded, Vantage is reliable in terms of regulatory oversight, with two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, which translates to a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. This broker boasts a Trust Score of 90, demonstrating its commitment to providing a secure trading experience. Additionally, Vantage is not a bank, ensuring a focused approach to online trading services.
Founded in 1998, Alpari shares the same non-publicly traded status as Vantage and is not a bank either. However, when it comes to regulatory credentials, Alpari falls short with no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses. As a result, its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score is 68, indicating a high-risk profile. For traders prioritizing regulatory assurance, Alpari's offerings may warrant closer scrutiny compared to those of Vantage.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing the online brokers Vantage and Alpari in terms of commissions and fees, Vantage offers varied account options that influence trading costs. Vantage provides three account types: the spread-only Standard STP account, and the commission-based RAW ECN and PRO ECN accounts. On the Standard account, Vantage lists spreads of 1.30 pips on EUR/USD as of March 2023. For the Raw account, users experience lower spreads, averaging 0.15 pips, accompanied by a commission of $3 per side, leading to a total of 0.75 pips. The PRO account from Vantage, recommended for those meeting certain requirements, offers per-side commissions of just $2, making it the best-priced choice among Vantage’s selections.
Vantage's active trader program provides the potential for rebates from $2 to $8 per standard lot based on account balance and volume, with tiers ranging from $10,000 to $300,000 in equity. Although this program grants incentives, it's limited to the Standard account, which reflects the highest spreads across Vantage’s offerings. Vantage earns a 4.5-star rating for its commissions and fees, ranking 19th among 62 brokers, indicating a competitive pricing structure overall.
In contrast, Alpari lacks available average spread data, offering less transparency in fee structures. Despite this, Alpari receives a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, positioning it at rank 41 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This rank suggests that, while Alpari provides a satisfactory service level in this regard, Vantage tends to offer a more competitive and transparent fee arrangement for traders seeking clarity and potential cost savings.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | 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 Vantage and Alpari, one can see differences in their investment offerings that cater to various trading preferences. Vantage provides a vast range of 1,000 trading symbols, including 61 forex pairs as Contracts for Difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. Alpari, on the other hand, offers a smaller selection with 105 total symbols and 46 forex pairs, also through CFDs or spot contracts. Both brokers fall short when it comes to actual exchange-traded securities in U.S. markets, meaning there is no opportunity for purchasing shares of companies like Apple directly. However, Alpari provides the ability to trade shares on international exchanges, allowing clients access to stocks like Vodafone. Moreover, both brokers support cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer options for buying actual cryptocurrencies.
For those interested in socially-driven investments, Vantage and Alpari both offer copy trading features, aiding traders who wish to follow successful investors. When judged on their range of investments, Vantage receives a rating of 3.5 stars, securing the 50th position out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, Alpari holds a 3-star rating and ranks at the bottom end of the list at position 62. This comparison highlights Vantage's more extensive investment options relative to Alpari, which might be a pivotal factor for traders focused on diversity in their strategies.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
Vantage and Alpari both offer a rich array of trading platforms and tools tailored to cater to diverse trading needs. Traders with these brokers can engage in simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, enabling them to hone their skills without financial risk. Both brokers have developed proprietary platforms and offer Windows-based desktop downloads, web-based platforms, and the widely-used MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms. Copy trading is available with both brokers, but Vantage also provides access to DupliTrade, while neither broker supports ZuluTrade. When it comes to charting tools, both Vantage and Alpari offer 15 drawing tools and allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts.
Traders using either broker can enjoy comprehensive watchlists, featuring seven columns to track their preferences. In terms of overall trading platform and tools rating, both Vantage and Alpari receive four out of five stars. However, Vantage stands out with a higher industry ranking, positioned at 21st out of 62 brokers in this category, compared to Alpari’s rank of 55th. This distinction might influence traders seeking a well-regarded platform with slightly more advanced trading support.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Vantage and Alpari, both brokers provide solid options for on-the-go trading with their apps available on iPhone and Android devices. Traders will find that both apps offer features like price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. However, a notable distinction is that Vantage's app saves chart drawings automatically, while Alpari's does not. Both apps are equipped with 30 technical studies for charting, ensuring users have access to detailed market analysis.
Despite the many similarities, user ratings and industry rankings provide additional insights. Both Vantage and Alpari are rated four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps, indicating general satisfaction among traders. However, Vantage holds a stronger industry position, ranked at #27 by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Alpari's rank of #56 out of 62 brokers. Neither Vantage nor Alpari currently supports watchlist symbol syncing between their mobile apps and online accounts, which might be a consideration for traders who prefer seamless transitions across platforms.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 Vantage to Alpari in terms of market research offerings, Vantage shines with its daily market commentary, an area where Alpari doesn't compete. Both brokers provide forex news from reputed sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, and they each offer advanced technical analysis tools from Autochartist. However, Vantage takes it a step further with additional tools from Trading Central, which Alpari lacks. Sentiment-based trading tools are another advantage for Vantage, helping traders gauge market trends, which Alpari does not provide.
Both brokers offer an economic calendar to keep traders updated on global economic events. Despite some similarities, Vantage is rated higher at 4 stars for research by ForexBrokers.com compared to Alpari's 3 stars. This ranking reflects their overall offerings and capabilities in market research, with Vantage positioned 21st out of 62 brokers, while Alpari lags significantly at 57th. In summary, Vantage provides a deeper pool of resources for traders seeking comprehensive market insights.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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 Vantage and Alpari for educational resources, both online brokers provide a wide range of materials to help beginners learn about forex and CFDs. They each offer more than 10 educational items, such as articles, videos, and more, focused on these topics. However, Vantage stands out by offering free monthly webinars and a searchable archive of past sessions, resources that Alpari does not provide. For those new to trading, having access to regular educational webinars can be a valuable tool for continuous learning and getting up-to-date insights. Furthermore, both brokers offer beginner-friendly video content covering essential trading principles, but Vantage surpasses Alpari by also including content tailored for more advanced learning.
In terms of additional resources, Vantage and Alpari each provide an investor dictionary with over 50 terms to broaden users' understanding of trading language. Yet, when looked at collectively, Vantage offers a more comprehensive educational package, as reflected in their higher rating—four stars compared to Alpari's three—and superior ranking by ForexBrokers.com, sitting at #24 out of 62 brokers compared to Alpari's #48. This recognition highlights Vantage's commitment to offering beginners a more well-rounded education in trading.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 Vantage is better than Alpari. Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
Vantage rounds out its MetaTrader platform suite offering with support for multiple social trading platforms, content powered by Trading Central and a proprietary mobile app. However, Vantage trails industry leaders in key areas such as research and education.
| Feature |
Vantage
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Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 68 |
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Both Vantage and Alpari do not provide options to purchase actual cryptocurrency but offer cryptocurrency derivatives for trading.
When comparing online brokers Vantage and Alpari in terms of account funding options, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers, but Vantage supports PayPal unlike Alpari; both platforms accept Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire 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 | Vantage | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review |
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| Regulation | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 90 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Vantage | 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). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $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 | Vantage | 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | Vantage | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review |
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