Alpari vs Seacrest 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 Seacrest Markets?
Our pick: Alpari
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Alpari looks preferable to Seacrest Markets.
Alpari scored 4.1/5 and ranks 43 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Seacrest Markets has 4.1/5 and ranks 47.
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 Seacrest Markets suitable for?
Suitable for retail and active Forex and CFD traders, as well as those looking for prop funding and high leverage.
Comparison Table of Alpari and Seacrest Markets
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1998 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | Comoros, Belarus | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:3000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | Alpari Review | Seacrest 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:
Seacrest Markets Review
Seacrest Markets is a broker with a moderate level of regulation (FSCA), a clear fee structure, and an accessible entry threshold from $50. The company combines a classic CFD model with a prop arm, which broadens its audience with traders interested in funded accounts and capital scaling. Trading is conducted via MetaTrader 5, major asset classes are available, and leverage goes up to 1:500.
This broker is primarily suitable for:
- retail traders who trade Forex and core CFDs;
- active traders for whom high leverage matters;
- participants interested in taking prop challenges;
- traders who value 24/7 support and a simple account-opening process.
It may be less suitable for investors seeking strict Tier-1 regulation, the widest possible selection of stocks and ETFs, or advanced institutional-grade analytics.
Pros and Cons of Seacrest Markets
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license and formal regulation of brokerage activity.
- Low minimum deposit — from $50.
- Prop program with multiple challenge formats and a scaling plan.
- 24/7 support and a strong community.
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation and no compensation funds.
- Limited number of trading instruments compared to large brokers.
- No web-based platform and no alternative to MetaTrader 5.
- The education section is mostly a blog without comprehensive courses.
Reliability
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1998 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | Comoros, Belarus | South Africa |
| 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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' reliability can be rated as moderate: the broker is regulated by FSCA (Tier-2), but it lacks Tier-1 licensing and compensation funds, and the prop arm operates outside a traditional financial license.
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license
- Legal separation between the broker and the prop program
- Transparent registration information
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation
Account Opening
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
Alpari
Alpari's registration and account opening process is quite straightforward, convenient, and relatively fast.
Seacrest Markets
Opening an account with Seacrest Markets is fast and without unnecessary bureaucracy: online registration, verification within a day, and clear requirements make the process convenient for most traders.
Pros
- Simple online registration
- Verification within 24 hours
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- Mandatory extended KYC questionnaire
Account Types
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 4.8/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:3000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| 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
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets offers a combination of classic trading accounts and a flexible prop program with several challenge formats. The lineup is designed for different traders, but the depth of choice on the brokerage side remains moderate.
Pros
- Availability of Classic and ECN accounts
- Flexible prop-challenge formats
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts
Commissions
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.1 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 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
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' fees are around the market average: spreads and swaps are comparable to competitors, and the ECN commission remains competitive. The cost structure is transparent and without notable hidden charges.
Pros
- Market-average spreads
- No withdrawal fee except for bank transfers
Cons
- There is an account inactivity fee
- Swaps can be significant for long-term trading
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
Alpari
Alpari offers very flexible and competitive conditions for depositing and withdrawing funds, making it an attractive choice for traders.
Seacrest Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Seacrest Markets are organized in a standard and convenient way: cards, bank transfer, and cryptocurrencies are available. The procedures are transparent, but the range of methods remains basic.
Pros
- Support for Visa/Mastercard
- Crypto transfers available
- Clear procedure via the client portal
Cons
- Limited selection of local payment systems
- Fee for withdrawals via bank transfer
Markets and Products
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Forex | 46 | 50 |
| Precious Metals | 2 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Indices | 12 | 6 |
| Stocks | 631 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 9 | 4 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 2 |
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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' market offering covers key asset classes and suits most retail strategies, but it falls behind large multi-asset brokers in breadth of instruments.
Pros
- Key asset classes (Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies)
- High leverage up to 1:500
Cons
- Limited overall number of instruments
- No stocks or ETFs
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| 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.
Seacrest Markets
MetaTrader 5 provides full functionality for analysis and trading, but platform choice is limited to a single terminal and there is no web version, which reduces access flexibility.
Pros
- Support for algorithmic trading
- iOS and Android mobile apps
Cons
- No web version
- No alternative platforms
Analytics
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest 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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' analytics cover key needs of retail traders: video reviews, articles, and built-in analysis tools. The content is practical, but it is geared mainly toward beginner and intermediate levels.
Pros
- Regular video analysis
- Economic calendar and market widgets
- TradingView integration
Education
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 3.5/5 |
Alpari
No educational materials in English.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' educational materials cover basic CFD and Forex topics and are suitable for beginners, but the education section is limited to a blog format without an extended learning program.
Pros
- Structured blog
Cons
- No comprehensive courses
- No webinars or podcasts
Customer Support
| Broker | Alpari | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
| — |
| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
YouTube
Telegram
Дзен
Discord
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
TikTokAlpari
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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' support operates 24/7 and provides quick contact via live chat. A strong community enhances client service, but the set of communication channels remains standard.
Pros
- 24/7 support
- Live chat on the website
- Active community (Discord and social media)
Cons
- No extensive phone support
- No personal managers
- Limited selection of communication channels
Comparisons of Alpari and Seacrest Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
Alpari stands out as the better overall pick, while Seacrest Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
Alpari scored 4.1/5 and ranks 43 in our rating; Seacrest Markets has 4.1/5 and ranks 47.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Alpari or Seacrest Markets?
Alpari comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.1/5, position 43) versus Seacrest Markets (score 4.1/5, position 47).
Which broker is better for beginners: Alpari or Seacrest Markets?
Alpari 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 Seacrest 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 Seacrest Markets?
Alpari: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Seacrest Markets: MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Alpari and Seacrest Markets?
Alpari: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Seacrest Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Alpari and Seacrest Markets?
Alpari: standard.mt5, standard.mt4, ECN, PRO ECN. Seacrest Markets: Classic, ECN. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Alpari and Seacrest Markets?
Alpari: Perfect Money, VLoad, Volet, WebMoney, Касса24, Neteller, Wallet One, Skrill, TC Pay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Seacrest Markets: Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Alpari or Seacrest Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
