Alpari vs FXCM

This Forex broker comparison will focus on Alpari and FXCM, both large global brokers that have faced some strife and complications in recent years. Alpari International is operated out of lightly regulated Mauritius. The company boasts over 2,000,000 clients and has a distinct focus on PAMM accounts. Alpari has a questionable past with subsidiaries filing for bankruptcy or entering and exiting select markets. FXCM relocated to the UK, leaving its troubled past behind after losing its US license amid scandals, malpractice, and fraud. Under new management and as a Leucadia company owned by Jefferies Financial Group, this broker is rebuilding trust with an excellent trading environment.

This broker comparison will focus on the following four aspects plus an ultimate verdict:

• Features and Platforms
• Available Markets
• Typical Spreads and Fees
• Security and Trust
• Alpari vs FXCM Verdict

Feature	Alpari (visit site)	FXCM (visit site)
Headquarter:	Mauritius	UK
Regulation:	FSC	FCA, ASIC, FSCA
Type of Broker:	Market Maker	No Dealing Desk, Dealing Desk
U.S. Clients Allowed:
Minimum Deposit:	£100 or a currency equivalent	£300
Maximum Leverage:	1:1000	1:30
Commissions / Spreads:	Spreads, Commission	Spreads
Account 1:	Micro	Standard
Account 2:	Standard	Active Trader
Account 3:	ECN
Demo Account:
Islamic Account:
Segregated Account:		Yes for clients under FXCM LTD, FXCM AU and FXCM ZA
Managed Accounts:
Institutional Accounts:
Website Languages:	English Spanish 6+	English
Support Hours:	24/5	24/5
E-mail Support:
SMS Support:
Chat:
Broker Offers:	See what Alpari offers	See what FXCM offers

Features and Platforms

Alpari

Traders may choose between the MT4 and MT5 trading platforms, but Alpari merely provides the most basic versions without any of the required third-party plugins to unlock their full potential. It renders both choices insufficient and lacking critical features. This broker provides ECN accounts without noting which ECN bridge it deploys to connect the MT4/MT5 accounts to the Electronic Communication Network (ECN). Due to the lack of transparency, it remains unclear if ECN trading is enabled or noted for marketing purposes.

PAMM accounts are a fundamental focus of Alpari, with over 56,000 catering to more than 550,000 traders. It additionally supports social trading via its Alpari CopyTrade platform. Educational material via webinars and written content allows new traders to increase their knowledge about the Forex market. Research is provided on the Alpari.com website but is absent on Alpari.org. A loyalty cashback program reduces trading costs for active traders.

Alpari provides excellent trading conditions to over 2,000,000 traders with a heavy focus on retail asset management.

FXCM

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74.74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This broker’s proprietary Trading Station provides a superior trading portal as compared to the MT4 trading platform, which is available as the most basic version. Traders may opt to engage in social trading through market-leader ZuluTrade. All trading platforms fully support automated trading, and FXCM enhances trading conditions via a suite of tools that support algorithmic trading solutions.

FXCM features an outstanding selection of written content covering financial markets and trading-related topics. New traders are encouraged to try the educational course before deploying funds to their live account. FXCM Plus, the prime service provided by this broker, provides traders with market analytics and trading signals. Auxiliary trading services create an exceptional trading environment, evident in the failure rate of traders currently noted as 71.00%.

FXCM hosts a very competitive trading environment and fully supports automated trading.

Available Markets

Alpari presents over 250 assets with the primary focus on the Forex market. The commodity and equity CFD selections are unacceptable, index CFDs grant entry-level exposure, while cryptocurrencies are scarce. Pure Forex traders will be pleased, but proper cross-asset diversification is not possible. FXCM’s distinct weakness is asset selection. The Forex market is inadequately represented, with merely 39 currency pairs. Commodity and cryptocurrency assets are limited, while equity trading is unavailable. Index CFDs provide entry-level exposure to this sector.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Spreads at Alpari start as high as 1.7 pips in the Micro account, lowered to 1.2 pips in the Standard account. It is slashed to 0.4 pips in the ECN account for a commission of $3 per round lot ($1.50 per side). FXCM deploys a more competitive pricing environment with commission-free spreads as low as 0.6 pips. A reduction to 0.2 pips for a commission of $25 per $1,000,00 or $2.50 per lot, further increases the competitiveness at FXCM.

Both market makers charge swap rates on leveraged overnight positions. Traders may obtain precise amounts from inside the trading platforms. Corporate actions like dividends or mergers impact equity and index CFDs and are either debited or credited to and from accounts. Third-party charges regarding deposits and withdrawals apply, and FXCM carries a £50 inactivity fee. Alpari and FXCM deploy a very competitive cost structure, but active traders will find a better pricing environment at FXCM.