Alpari vs IC Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Alpari and IC Markets. Find out which broker is best for you.
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 3.9/5 and ranks 57.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Alpari suitable for?
Best suited to retail Forex and CFD traders who prefer MetaTrader, low-entry account options, and a simple, familiar trading environment.
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 | 3.9/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1998 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | Comoros | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | Alpari Review | IC Markets Review |
Alpari Review
Alpari is a long-established broker with a recognizable brand and a familiar trading environment focused on Forex and CFDs. Its main strengths include a practical account lineup, access to MetaTrader platforms, basic market analysis tools, and convenient funding methods. At the same time, the broker is less competitive in areas such as regulation, education, and the overall depth of its product ecosystem.
Alpari is best suited to retail traders with some basic market experience who want a straightforward trading setup with MetaTrader, several account options, and a relatively low entry barrier. It may also appeal to traders who prefer a simple Forex and CFD offering without the need for an extensive research or educational environment. For beginners who prioritize strong regulation and comprehensive learning resources, it is not the strongest choice.
Pros and Cons of Alpari
Pros
- Wide selection of account types for different trading styles
- Support for MetaTrader platforms and binary options trading
- Convenient funding methods, including cards, Volet, and crypto
Cons
- Offshore-only regulation with no top-tier licenses
- Limited educational offering
- Narrower product and research ecosystem than stronger competitors
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 | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1998 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | Comoros | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
| Regulators |
Alpari
Alpari has a long operating history and remains a recognizable broker brand, but its regulatory profile is weak due to offshore-only supervision and the absence of licenses from top-tier financial authorities.
Pros
- Founded in 1998
- Regulated by MISA
Cons
- Offshore-only regulation
- No top-tier licenses
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 |
|
|
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 | 4.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Alpari
Alpari offers a well-structured range of account types for different budgets and trading styles, with low-entry options, tighter-spread accounts, and demo access, although the lineup is not especially diverse by industry standards.
Pros
- Accounts for different deposit levels
- Demo account available
- Low minimum deposit entry option
Cons
- No fixed spread accounts available
- Limited differentiation between account types
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 | 3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.7 | 0.62 |
| Commission | per $1M turnover$25.00 | per 1 lot$3.50 |
Alpari
Alpari offers average trading commissions, but potential inactivity charges may deter some clients.
Pros
- Low transaction fee for ECN accounts
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 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
Alpari
Alpari offers a practical deposit and withdrawal setup with support for cards, Volet, and cryptocurrencies, but the overall payment range is narrower than that of brokers with broader local and e-wallet options.
Pros
- Supports cards, Volet, and crypto
- Convenient mix of fiat and digital methods
Cons
- Limited choice of payment methods
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 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Alpari
Alpari provides useful day-to-day market research through regular news updates, expert commentary, and a practical economic calendar, but its analytics offering appears more solid and functional than truly advanced.
Pros
- Regular market news and analysis updates
- Economic calendar with forecasts, actual data, and event importance
Cons
- No clear evidence of advanced analytical tools
- Research offering looks more basic than premium
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
Alpari’s educational offering is very limited, with no clear access to structured learning materials such as courses, webinars, or video tutorials, which makes the broker less appealing for beginners.
Cons
- No visible structured educational content
- Lacks webinars, courses, and video tutorials
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 |
|
|
| Hotline Phones |
|
|
| 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 3.9/5 and ranks 57.
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 3.9/5, position 57).
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: Micro, Standard, 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: Volet, 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.
