Alpari vs IC Markets Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - Alpari or IC Markets?
Our pick: IC Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - IC Markets looks preferable to Alpari.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 4 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Alpari has 4.1/5 and ranks 43.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Alpari suitable for?
Alpari is suitable for both beginners and professional traders, thanks to a wide selection of accounts, instruments, and educational programs.
Who is IC Markets suitable for?
IC Markets is suitable for traders looking for low spreads and ECN accounts and the ability to scalp and use expert advisors.
Comparison Table of Alpari and IC Markets
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1998 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | Comoros, Belarus | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:3000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Alpari Review | IC Markets Review |
Alpari Review
Alpari has established itself as a stable and reliable broker, providing its services on Forex for over 20 years. The broker is widely popular among professional traders due to its wide range of trading accounts and instruments and convenient and practical services for investing—PAMM accounts and portfolios. Beginning traders will find quality support, training courses, and favorable trading conditions at Alpari.
Overall, Alpari is an excellent choice for beginners and professional traders.
Pros and Cons of Alpari
Pros
- A wide range of trading accounts.
- Flexible conditions for depositing and withdrawing funds.
- Diversity of trading platforms.
Cons
- Licensing in the Comoros does not provide the same level of investor protection as in countries with stricter regulators.
- Fees for fund withdrawal and inactivity charges.
- Limited choice in terms of different asset classes.
Alpari is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
IC Markets Review
IC Markets is a reliable and versatile broker that offers a wide range of services and tools for trading in the financial markets. The company provides impressive trading instruments, high-quality trading platforms, advanced analytical tools, and valuable education for traders of all levels.
IC Markets is likely most suitable for experienced traders who value deep liquidity, tight spreads, and advanced trading tools. Beginner traders can also benefit from the educational materials offered by the company, but they should be prepared for some additional expenses and a higher minimum deposit requirement.
Pros and Cons of IC Markets
Pros
- A wide range of trading assets.
- Low spreads.
- Variety of trading platforms.
- Quality educational materials.
- Efficient customer support service.
Cons
- High minimum deposit.
IC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1998 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | Comoros, Belarus | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
| Regulators |
Alpari
Alpari is regulated in the Comoros Islands and Belarus, providing a certain degree of client protection. However, Comorian licensing does not offer the same level of investor protection as countries with stricter regulatory bodies.
IC Markets
IC Markets operates under the regulation of several jurisdictions, including ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cyprus, and SFSA in the Seychelles, indicating a high degree of regulation.
Account Opening
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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Alpari
Alpari's registration and account opening process is quite straightforward, convenient, and relatively fast.
IC Markets
The account opening process at IC Markets is well-thought-out, transparent, and detailed, ensuring convenience and ease for clients. However, the high minimum deposit may deter many beginners.
Account Types
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 4.8/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:3000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Alpari
Alpari offers a wide selection of trading accounts that should meet the needs of most traders and investors.
Pros
- ECN and cent accounts available
- PAMM accounts and copy trading options
- Binary options trading accessible
Cons
- No fixed spread accounts available
IC Markets
IC Markets' accounts are mainly aimed at experienced and professional traders.
Pros
- ECN accounts
- Ability to copy trades
- Access to VPS
Cons
- No cent accounts
- No fixed spread accounts
Commissions
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.7 | 0.62 |
| Commission per Lot | $2.70 | $3.5 |
Alpari
Alpari offers average trading commissions, but potential withdrawal fees and inactivity charges may deter some clients.
Pros
- Low transaction fee for ECN accounts
- Loyalty program (CashBack)
Cons
- Spreads slightly above market average
- Inactivity fee for accounts
IC Markets
IC Markets has low commissions. Fees for transactions on ECN accounts and spreads are acceptable to most traders, and the absence of charges for deposits/withdrawals and account inactivity is a significant advantage.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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Alpari
Alpari offers very flexible and competitive conditions for depositing and withdrawing funds, making it an attractive choice for traders.
IC Markets
IC Markets offers multiple options for depositing and withdrawing funds, but possible fees from banks and payment systems should be considered, along with some restrictions on withdrawal methods.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 46 | 61 |
| Precious Metals | 2 | 7 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 5 |
| Indices | 12 | 25 |
| Stocks | 631 | 2175 |
| Cryptocurrency | 9 | 21 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 8 |
| ETF | - | 38 |
| Bonds | - | 10 |
Alpari
The overall selection of assets available for trading with Alpari broker offers a diverse range that can satisfy the needs of most traders. However, there is no option to trade CFDs on exchange commodities.
IC Markets
IC Markets offers various trading instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs on metals, energy resources, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
Alpari
Alpari offers a wide range of trading platforms that will undoubtedly meet the needs of most traders. The terminals provide traders with a full set of tools and resources necessary for effective trading.
IC Markets
IC Markets provides powerful and functional trading platforms suitable for various trader categories.
Analytics
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Alpari
Alpari provides daily expert market analysis, offering valuable insights for traders.
Pros
- In-depth daily reports.
- Expert analysis on market events.
Cons
- Limited range of analytical tools.
- Lack of real-time signals.
IC Markets
IC Markets provides its clients with an extensive set of analytical tools and materials, which can assist them in successful trading in the financial markets.
Education
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Alpari
No educational materials in English.
IC Markets
IC Markets offers a wide range of educational resources, from interactive video lessons to webinars and podcasts, demonstrating care for their clients and a commitment to providing all the necessary resources for successful trading.
Customer Support
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
YouTube
Telegram
Дзен
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedInAlpari
Alpari's support has diverse contact options but lacks consistent quality and transparent service hours.
Pros
- Multiple contact methods.
- International phone support.
Cons
- No clear support hours.
- Mixed client reviews.
IC Markets
IC Markets provides a variety of communication channels, ensuring support service accessibility for clients. Numerous client reviews indicate the support team's quick response and high professionalism.
Pros
- Positive reviews about professional support
- Multiple channels for support communication
- Support is available 24/7
Cons
- Only international call option is available
Comparisons of Alpari and IC Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
IC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while Alpari trails on aggregate criteria.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 4 in our rating; Alpari has 4.1/5 and ranks 43.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Alpari or IC Markets?
IC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 4) versus Alpari (score 4.1/5, position 43).
Which broker is better for beginners: Alpari or IC Markets?
IC Markets is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Alpari or IC Markets?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with Alpari and IC Markets?
Alpari: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. IC Markets: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Alpari and IC Markets?
Alpari: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. IC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Alpari and IC Markets?
Alpari: standard.mt5, standard.mt4, ECN, PRO ECN. IC Markets: Standard, Raw Spread cTrader, Raw Spread. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Alpari and IC Markets?
Alpari: Perfect Money, VLoad, Volet, WebMoney, Касса24, Neteller, Wallet One, Skrill, TC Pay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. IC Markets: PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, Swift, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, POLi, Rapidpay. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Alpari or IC Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
