Alpaca Review
Rana Adnan | March 31, 2022
Table of Contents
Alpaca is an online trading company that is based in the bay area of California, USA. The company is made up of a team of professionals with deep financial and technology expertise, backed by some of the top investors in the industry globally. Alpaca Trading provides great API tools for algorithmic trading, zero-commission stock and ETF trading, and charting tools via a web platform. Interestingly, no minimum deposit is required to start trading with this firm.
Broker Pros / Cons
- Proprietary trading platform
- FIX API trading
- Educational resources
- Commission free stock trading
- Limited asset classes
- Limited account funding options
- No standalone trading tools
- No MetaTrader platforms
Summary
Founded in 2015, Alpaca is an online trading broker that is registered in the United States. They provide traders with a web-based trading platform for trading various financial instruments. The broker makes available some useful trading tools and educational resources whilst providing a client support team to assist traders. Alpaca offers zero-commission stock and ETF trading with low margin rates.
Regulation
Alpaca is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
The broker offers its services to traders from different parts of the globe where the use of such services would not be contrary to local laws or regulations.
Platforms
The broker provides traders with a proprietary web-based trading platform. Alpaca’s web trading platform functions as a sidekick to the Alpaca API. It is simple and easy to use. When you implement trades using code, you can easily check on them, cancel them, or duplicate them on the web platform. Alpaca focuses on simplicity for its web platform, which is balanced by the many complex functions that the API provides. The web trading platform is available in English, and it runs directly on most modern web browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. The platform is also available as a mobile app, which is designed for Android and iOS mobile devices.
Alpaca Trading Platform
Tools
Traders are provided with some useful trading tools, including the FIX API, and others.
Education
The broker provides traders with various learning resources to help them make informed trading decisions. These educational resources include videos, step-by-step guides for investing, detailed manuals, blogs, news, and FAQs for beginners.
Alpaca Blogs
Markets
The broker offers stock and ETF trading on U.S. stock markets.
Accounts
The broker provides traders with Individual and Corporate live trading accounts. The accounts require no minimum deposit to start trading.
Support
The broker’s client support team is available 24/5 to respond to all inquiries from both registered clients and prospective ones. The support can be contacted via email and social media.
Funding
Traders can deposit and withdraw funds via bank transfers.
Signup
To open an account, click on the “Sign Up” button on the broker’s website and fill in the account application form. You may be required to provide KYC documents.
Alpaca Account Opening Form
Compare
| Broker Features | AvaTrade | IG | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 1974 | 2007 | |
| Regulated | ASIC, BVI, CBI, FFAJ, JFSA, FSCA, IIROC, ADGM FRSA | FCA, CFTC, NFA, BaFin, FINMA, ASIC, FMA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, DFSA, JFSA, METI, MAFF | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB | |
| Country | Australia, Ireland, South Africa, Japan, British Virgin Islands | Australia, UK, USA, Switzerland, UAE, Singapore, Japan | Australia, Seychelles, Bahamas, Cyprus | |
| Min. Deposit | Min $250 Deposit | Min $100 Deposit | Min $200 Deposit | |
| Commission | From $0 | From $0 | From $0 | |
| Spreads | Fixed | Variable | Variable | |
| Leverage | 1:400 | 1:200 | 1:500 | |
| Instruments | Forex, Commodities, Cryptocurrency, Stocks, Shares, Indices, Metals, Energies, Options, Bonds, CFDs, ETFs | Forex, Commodities, Stocks, Shares, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Options, Bonds, ETFs, CFDs | Forex, Commodities, Cryptocurrency, Stocks, Shares, Indices, Metals, Energies, Bonds, CFDs | |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaSocial, DupliTrade, ZuluTrade, Web, Mobile | MetaTrader 4, IG Platform, IG Progressive Web App, ProRealTime (PRT), L2 Dealer, FIX API, Web, Mobile | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, Web, Mobile | |
| Type | Market Maker, STP | STP, ECN, DMA | ECN | |
| Funding | Wire Transfer, Credit/Debit Card, Paypal, WebMoney, Neteller, Skrill | Wire Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, WebMoney, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, FasaPay, UnionPay, Qiwi, Bpay, Poli | |
| Visit Broker | Visit Broker | Visit Broker | Visit Broker |
Conclusion
Alpaca is a US-based online stock broker that offers access to trade ETFs and stocks on U.S. stock exchanges via a proprietary trading platform that is available in web and mobile versions. Traders are provided with educational resources, useful trading tools, and a client support team. No minimum deposit is required to start trading, and the broker is regulated by FINRA and SEC.
Min $1 Deposit
Alpaca Trading provides a simple platform & API for algorithmic trading, zero-commission stock & ETF trading,
About the Author
Rana Adnan
I am an introverted long-distance runner and a Forex trader with more than 7 years of experience. Reminiscences of a stock operator was the first book that changed the whole concept of trading for me.
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For all of our broker reviews, we research, validate, analyse and compare what we deem to be the most important factors to consider when choosing a broker. This includes pros, cons and an overall rating based on our findings. We aim to help you find the best broker according to your own needs. You can read more about our review process.
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