Alpari Review

Category: Reviews | Author: Trading Brokers | Date: November 17, 2022

Alpari is an online broker with a global client base that can provide you with a range of flexible trading platforms, investor accounts, and trading tools to help you with your market analysis. However, I believe that the regulation could be improved as could the number of trading instruments offered which are limited compared to other online brokers like AvaTrade. The minimum deposit required is relatively low at just $5 and free demo accounts are also available if you want to give them a try before making a commitment.

Pros & Cons

  • Robust MetaTrader platforms for web, desktop and mobile
  • Decent selection of forex currency pairs
  • Automated signals from the brilliant Autochartist
  • PAMM accounts for money managers and investors
  • Get the latest market news streamed from FxWirePro
  • Generous choice of account funding options
  • Free demo trading accounts
  • Helped with charitable causes to give back to the community
  • Customer support available in over 30 languages
  • Clients from many countries are not accepted
  • Limited non-FX trading instruments
  • Lack of comprehensive educational materials for beginners
  • Could improve regulations further

Summary

Alpari is a trading broker with many years of trading experience, having been through some significant ups and downs. The brand was established in Russia in 1998 but has expanded its operations to a global reach. Today, Alpari boasts of millions of clients from several different countries. The head office is located in Mauritius while other offices are in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Russia, and Nigeria. I like how the broker also has several offices run by their partners in different countries to cater to the international community.

Alpari offers you forex and CFD trading on the MetaTrader platforms. Since they don’t offer crypto trading, you could check out Vantage for your crypto needs. With a mission to ensure your safety, Alpari offers instant executions, competitive spreads and modern trading technology solutions. I found the trading conditions to be acceptable although there are better forex brokers out there from my experience.

Alpari has also been into sponsorships of athletes, professionals, and sports tournaments. Since 2005, the Alpari charitable fund has been providing support to orphans, children with chronic diseases as well as poverty-stricken families. So far, hundreds of children have been assisted with funds for medical treatment and thousands of families have been supported to help defeat poverty. I really appreciate it when a broker goes above and beyond for their social responsibilities.

AvaTrade Logo

Our #1 Broker 2023

AvaTrade is an award-winning and multi-regulated broker offering a great selection of trading instruments including Forex, Cryptos, Stocks and Commodities. You can trade on all of your devices via user-friendly platforms with excellent trading conditions and no commission fees.

Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Regulation

Alpari International is owned by Exinity Ltd which is a financial investment company located in Mauritius. The firm is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of the Republic of Mauritius. Alpari Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Countries

Alpari does not provide services to residents of some countries including the USA, Mauritius, Japan, British Columbia, Quebec, Saskatchewan Haiti, Suriname, the Democratic Republic of Korea, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine & Georgia. If Alpari is not accepted in your country, you can find alternative brokers through our broker comparison tool.

Platforms

MetaTrader

Alpari is proud to present you with the popular MetaTrader (MT) platforms. These are the MT4 and the MT5 trading platforms. These platforms were designed by the Cyprus-based trading software firm ‘MetaQuotes Software Corporation.’ The MT5 is the newer version of the MT platforms. However, I still prefer the MT4 as I find it more user-friendly with a simple user interface. Both versions are free for you to use and available as desktop applications, WebTrader and as mobile apps. The application interface of both platforms is very similar, both on mobile and on computers. The major difference is that the MT5, being the newer version, has more features and capabilities than the older MT4. Let us explore some of the features of the MT platforms.

MetaTrader Platforms

MetaTrader Platforms

MetaTrader Features

  • Supports the automation of strategies by using Expert Advisors (EAs) which can scan charts to identify trends and trade using inbuilt algorithms based on preconfigured parameters
  • Access to the MT market where users can acquire signals, EAs, indicators and other tools to enhance their trading experience
  • Multiple order types including pending orders and risk management. MT4 has 4 pending order types while MT5 has 6
  • Inbuilt technical indicators for analysis. MT4 has 30 while the MT5 has 38
  • Multiple charting over different timeframes. MT5 has 21 timeframes while the MT4 has 9
  • One-click trading is available as well as trading from the charts
  • The Market watch displays all the tradable assets’ quotes in real time

Alpari Mobile App

This is the proprietary mobile trading app from Alpari. This app is all-encompassing as it can virtually do everything on the Alpari network. I like how it can be used for trading, monitoring, and analysis. The app is designed for both Android and iOS devices. You can download it from your respective app store. It is free to download and use. The only snag I found is that it cannot trade the markets on its own. Rather, it starts up the MT4 or MT5 mobile app whenever the ‘Trading’ button is tapped. You can check out other best trading apps if this is a dealbreaker for you.

Alpari Mobile App Features

  • It is integrated with ‘MyAlpari’ clients’ area of the broker website where clients can create new accounts, make deposits and withdrawals
  • Market news from FXWirePro is streamed on the platform
  • Live support via chat, phone and other channels
  • Real time market quotes
  • Live economic calendar is embedded into the platform
  • Market reviews from expert analysts

MetaTrader Mobile App

The MT4 and the MT5 mobile apps are very similar. They have similar tabs, features, and interfaces. The primary difference I found is that the newer MT5 has more features just like the desktop version. The apps are developed for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the respective app stores.

MetaTrader App

MetaTrader App

MetaTrader Mobile App Features

  • Intuitive platform, simple and fast
  • The ‘quotes’ tab displays the assets list with their ‘bid and ask’ prices in real time
  • The charts tab displays the instrument charts in 3 styles and 9 timeframes
  • Inbuilt technical indicators and analytical objects are available
  • All order types can be placed, adjusted or closed from the apps

Tools

PAMM Accounts

Alpari creates an opportunity for you to bring in your funds for money managers to trade on your behalf. This PAMM service has made Alpari very popular because it has attracted thousands of investors from all over the world.

You can choose from the list of PAMM accounts that are arranged according to age, the number of investors, ranking, and returns. After choosing a PAMM account, you can invest and monitor the accounts. At present, there are thousands of PAMM accounts to choose from. Though I have to warn you that past performance is by no means a guarantee of future performance.

The ‘Alpari invest’ app is an Android and iOS app that was designed by Alpari to help investors to manage their investment portfolios. For those of you who need managed accounts, FXOpen are worth considering as alternatives.

Trading Signals

This service is found within the MetaTrader platform. You are provided with the opportunity to either become signal providers or to copy signals from other traders. Signal providers are rated within the MT4 or MT5 platforms. You can choose from different traders and strategies that you would like to copy. The payable subscription fee is stated by the signal provider. I have to reiterate that past performance is by no means guarantee of future performance.

Currency Converter

This calculator converts one currency to another using the prevalent currency rates. It can easily give you an idea of how much your investment is worth in your local currency.

Market Reviews

The market analysis section of the website is updated frequently. I like how it takes a look at some selected instruments and their price action history while also making future predictions.

Economic Calendar

This is provided by FXStreet and it is available in 17 languages. FXStreet is a popular online financial research firm that provides you with forex news, analysis, and other tools. The economic calendar also shows you the dates and times of economic activities in about 50 countries. I like how they’ve catered to the international community as well by doing so. These are events that impact the values of the currencies and exchange rates.

News from FxWirePro

FxWirePro is a renowned financial analysis and research firm that provides you with frequently updated market news, expert analysis, and trading tools.

Alpari CopyTrade

This is Alpari’s social trading platform that enables you to replicate the strategies and trade positions of another trader called a ‘Strategy Manager’. I like how there is a list of strategy managers along with their performance statistics to assist you to make a choice.

The Strategy Managers earn through commissions paid by their copiers. You can have access to CopyTrade with as little as $100. Again, I must emphasize that past performance is by no means a guarantee of future performance.

Autochartist

The MT4 and MT5 platforms provided by Alpari come with the Autochartist already installed in the platforms. This fantastic market analysis tool provides you with free trading signals by recognizing patterns on the charts. My favorite feature is how it automatically analyzes the charts and gives you its predictions. I also like how Autochartist is customizable to your specifications and can save you from hours of chart watching.

Autochartist

Autochartist

Education

The Alpari website contains several articles on forex trading. There are articles introducing newcomers to forex trading by explaining certain basic terms. There are also articles on forex trading strategies, technical indicators, and trader psychology. I think they could improve by offering a proper training academy that has structured lessons arranged according to trader levels. I also couldn’t find a trading glossary or any tutorial videos. You can check out Admirals for a better variety of educational resources.

Markets

When compared to other brokers, I found Alpari to have a limited number of tradable assets. Only the forex majors, minors, and exotics are available for trading. There is a decent selection of forex currency pairs along with spot metals, spot CFDs, and a a limited range of cryptocurrencies. I highly recommend checking out IC Markets for a better range of assets for trading.

Accounts

Alpari provides you with a variety of trading accounts to choose from. All accounts are grouped into either standard or ECN accounts. They are available via the MT4/MT5 platforms or both. If you’re looking to trade on other platforms, I recommend checking out our best trading platforms list.

Micro Account

This is the cent account designed for beginner traders who do not want to risk much of their capital. I like how the opening deposit is just $5. Though I’m not too keen on the fact that spreads start from 1.7 pips and the maximum leverage is 1:400. This account is only available on the MT4 and can trade only forex and metals.

Standard Account

This is the main account designed for active traders. I like that the minimum deposit is only $100 while the leverage goes up to 1:1000. Orders are instantly executed and the spread starts from 1.2 pips. This account is available only on the MT4 platform.

ECN Account

This account can give you access to the ECN style trading. This is my personal favorite style of trading. The account opening balance is $500 and all orders are executed at the market. I like how this account provides spreads that begin at 0.4 pips and leverage up to 1:1000. A commission of $1.5/lot per side is charged. This account is available on both the MT4 and MT5 trading platforms.

Pro MT4 Account

This account is specifically created for professional and experienced traders. The initial account opening deposit is $25,000. I don’t like how they only offer a leverage up to 1:300 despite requiring a large initial deposit. The spread starts from 0.4 pips. No commissions are charged on trades and the account is available on the MT4 platform.

Demo Account

If you want to practice trading online to get a feel for the broker, the platforms and what they have to offer, there is the option of a free demo account. I think this can be a great way to practice your trading strategies and build your confidence before opening a real trading account.

Support

The Alpari customer support team works from Monday to Friday. I appreciate that the support team speaks over 30 languages. This helps in bringing in international clients. You can reach them through email, telephone, and chats. The chatting communication channels are Viber, Telegram, Facebook chat, UK chat, and instant web chat. You can also reach them through their social media platforms which include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. I would’ve appreciated it if their support team was available on weekends as well. You can check out Bold Prime for 24/7 customer support.

Funding

In all fairness to Alpari, account funding options is an area they really excel in. You can make deposits and withdrawal using a generous range of payment options. This includes the standard bank transfer and card payments you would expect from most brokers along with a variety of digital wallets. They even support cryptocurrencies which not many brokers do. KOT4X being another example. I personally prefer using eWallets as I can get quicker access to my funds which is important if I need to act fast on some market news.

The available funding options for you to choose from include the following:

  • Bank Wire Transfers
  • Credit/Debit Cards
  • Online Payments
  • Local Transfers
  • Crypto Payments

Conclusion

Alpari is a multiple award-winning broker that has been around for several years. The brand is regulated in multiple jurisdictions and serves clients from several countries. I like how the broker has multiple payment methods which include localized payments for different countries and jurisdictions. This shows that they really put their clients above all else.

You are given direct market access (DMA) via the ECN accounts which are available on MetaTrader platforms. I prefer the MT4 and MT5 platforms due to their simplicity, scalability, flexibility, and reliability. I like how they also provide Demo and Cent accounts for tyro traders.

Alpari also provides you with Autochartist, trading signals, expert analysis, and other tools to assist you in making your trade decisions. PAMM and investor accounts are also available if you prefer to invest your funds in other traders.

I don’t like how Alpari only has offshore regulators as these could be considered to be inferior to that of the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC. Most traders and experts advise against trading with offshore regulated brokers. You can check out our broker ratings for some alternative brokers with additional regulations. I found the assets listing of Alpari to be very small compared to that of top-tier brokers like IG. I believe improvement is much needed on the training resources provided as many people prefer video lessons like those provided by Fortrade.

In summary, I found Alpari to be an experiencedB, award-winning, and popular trading broker. However, I believe the brand could improve in certain areas in order to compete with competitors like Pepperstone within the online broker industry.

Alpari Logo

$5

Alpari is an online brokerage firm with a global client base, range of flexible trading platforms, investor accounts and trading tools. However, regulation could be improved as could the number of trading instruments offered.

Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.


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