Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
Founded in 2002, XTB is a well-established online broker known for its high level of trust and transparency, underlined by a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96 out of 99. XTB is publicly traded and although it is not a bank, it stands out by holding two top-tier licenses and two second-tier licenses, reinforcing its solid reputation in the financial industry.
In contrast, Alpari, established in 1998, has a Trust Score of 68, which places it in the high-risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. Alpari is not publicly traded and holds no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, which may raise concerns for potential investors seeking assurance and security in their trading activities. Both XTB and Alpari are established brokers, but their regulatory standings significantly differ, making XTB a notably more trusted choice.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When considering commissions and fees, XTB offers two main types of accounts: the Standard account with spread-only pricing and a Professional account previously based on commission. However, the Professional account is no longer widely promoted. On average, XTB's forex spreads, such as the EUR/USD, stand at about 1 pip. While XTB pricing is generally aligned with industry standards, it does not surpass the leading brokers. The Standard account, requiring a minimum deposit of 250 base currency, is ideal for retail traders, while the Professional account's availability is limited to a few regions for legacy clients. Active traders who qualify can benefit from the Lower Spread Group program, receiving rebates of up to 30% on spreads based on their monthly trading volume.
In comparison, Alpari lacks specific information on average spreads, making it challenging to gauge its pricing at a glance. However, with regard to overall competitiveness in the commissions and fees category, XTB holds a stronger position. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, XTB is ranked 11th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its attractiveness in this segment. Alpari, on the other hand, is rated 4 stars for the same category and is ranked 41st. This ranking highlights a notable gap in perception and value between the two brokers among industry analysts and users alike.
For potential traders weighing their options, XTB appears to offer a slight edge in competitive fees and incentives for frequent traders. The combination of its Standard account flexibility and active trader rebates makes it appealing for both new and experienced traders. Alpari, while a viable option, might not provide as distinct advantages or detailed pricing information as XTB. Choosing between the two will largely depend on individual trading habits and preference for clear, structured pricing models.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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 XTB and Alpari in terms of the range of investments, XTB clearly stands out with a vast array of trading options. With a staggering 7,184 tradable symbols at their disposal, XTB clients can engage in an extensive selection of investment opportunities. This includes 71 forex pairs for those keen on currency trading. XTB also provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, meaning you can purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone directly. Although XTB does not support copy trading or the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, it allows trading in cryptocurrency derivatives.
In contrast, Alpari offers a more limited selection with 105 tradable symbols, including 46 forex pairs. While Alpari does not offer exchange-traded securities for U.S. stocks, it does provide access to international shares like Vodafone. An advantage of Alpari is the availability of copy trading, appealing to those who prefer to replicate the trades of experienced investors. Like XTB, Alpari allows trading in cryptocurrency derivatives but does not support the buying of actual cryptocurrencies. Rated three stars for its range of investments, Alpari is positioned lower in industry rankings, standing at 62 out of 62 brokers, while XTB scores a solid five stars and is ranked 14th, showcasing its competitive edge in investment range offerings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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.
XTB and Alpari both offer comprehensive options for traders looking to explore and hone their skills with simulated (paper) trading through free virtual demo accounts. Each broker also boasts proprietary trading platforms developed in-house, compatible with Windows-based desktops and accessible via web browsers. Although XTB does not support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Alpari covers both, catering to a broader range of trader preferences. Additionally, copy trading enthusiasts will find Alpari more fitting since XTB does not provide this feature.
In terms of tools for enhancing trading dexterity, XTB stands out with 32 drawing tools available for charting, compared to Alpari’s 15. Both brokers enable direct trading from stock charts, providing ease of execution. When managing watch lists, XTB offers a slight edge with eight columns (fields) versus Alpari's seven. Rated 4.5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, XTB secures the ninth position among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas Alpari ranks 55th, with a four-star rating. This indicates that while both brokers present viable options, XTB might offer a more advanced suite for traders prioritizing platforms and tools.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XTB and Alpari, both platforms offer iPhone and Android apps equipped with essential features like stock or forex price alerts. However, XTB takes the lead in terms of technical charting capabilities with 39 technical studies, compared to Alpari's 30. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, but only XTB's app automatically saves these drawings for future use. Unfortunately, neither app offers the convenience of syncing watchlist symbols between the mobile app and online account, which means users will need to update lists separately.
In terms of user ratings, XTB receives higher praise, earning a 4.5-star rating, while Alpari holds a 4-star rating. This difference is further reflected in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where XTB stands out at number 8 out of 62 brokers, significantly higher than Alpari, which ranks at number 56. Both platforms do offer the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring that traders can stay updated on market movements. Overall, XTB's mobile app offers a more comprehensive experience for those seeking advanced charting options and automatic saving of chart features.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 market research offerings, XTB stands out for providing daily market commentary, unlike Alpari. Both brokerages deliver forex news from leading sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring users are well-informed. However, only Alpari features tools from Autochartist, a company known for its technical analysis resources. On the other hand, XTB offers a sentiment-based trading tool that gives insights into long or short position ratios, a feature not found at Alpari.
Both platforms provide users with an economic calendar to keep track of significant global news events, although neither offer research support from companies like TipRanks, Acuity Trading, or Trading Central. In terms of overall research capabilities, XTB is rated highly with five stars and is positioned 7th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Alpari holds a three-star research rating and ranks 57th, showcasing notable differences in their market research offerings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | 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 comparing educational resources for trading novices, XTB and Alpari both provide a noteworthy selection of materials, but differ significantly in their offerings. XTB excels by offering over 10 educational materials such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs, ensuring beginners have ample learning opportunities. Additionally, XTB conducts regular monthly webinars to engage clients with current trading insights, coupled with a searchable library of past webinar recordings. Novices can also access more than 10 beginner-specific educational videos, as well as advanced content for seasoned traders. This comprehensive approach has earned XTB a 5-star rating and an impressive 11th place ranking in education among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
Meanwhile, Alpari matches XTB in terms of basic educational resources by offering a suite of learning materials on forex and CFDs and more than 10 introductory videos tailored for beginners. However, it falls short by not providing monthly webinars or an archive of past webinars, limiting interactive learning opportunities for users seeking real-time market insights. While Alpari includes an investor dictionary with over 50 defined terms, it lacks advanced video content for experienced traders, resulting in a lower 3-star educational rating and a 48th place ranking in the ForexBrokers.com education review. Ultimately, XTB stands out as a more comprehensive choice for educational support, particularly for those eager to engage with interactive and ongoing learning experiences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than Alpari. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 |
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Both XTB and Alpari do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and Alpari in terms of deposit and withdrawal options, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers but they allow transactions via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires; however, XTB stands out by offering PayPal, unlike Alpari, while both brokers provide Skrill as a payment method.
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 | XTB | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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| Regulation | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | 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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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 | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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 | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | 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 | 39 | 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 | XTB | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | 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 | XTB | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | XTB | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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