Alpari vs Interactive Brokers 2026
By Akash · Facts from the brokers’ own sites, sources linked on each review
Interactive Brokers has the higher TFB Score (73/100 vs 61/100).
Alpari, founded in 1998, is a trading name of Parlance Trading Ltd, licensed by the Mwali International Services Authority (an offshore regulator), offering Micro, Standard, ECN and Pro ECN accounts on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and the Alpari app.
Interactive Brokers is a multi-asset broker offering spot forex at interbank-style prices with a separate commission, through entities regulated in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia and Singapore.
58.9% of retail CFD accounts lose money with this provider.
Side by side
| Item | Alpari | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| TFB Score | 61/100 | 73/100▲ |
| Regulation & safety | 7/35Strongest licence MISA (tier 3) | 35/35▲4 tier-1 regulators (FCA, CBI, ASIC…), investor compensation |
| Fees & costs | 22/25▲All-in cost from 0.00 pips, no commission | 14/25All-in cost from 10.00 pips, no commission |
| Deposits & withdrawals | 16/20Minimum deposit $30 (Micro); $100 (Standard); $300 (ECN); $500 (Pro ECN), 5 deposit methods, 5 withdrawal methods | 16/203 deposit methods, 4 withdrawal methods |
| Platforms & trading | 16/20▲MT4, MT5; leverage up to 1:3000 (ECN and Pro ECN, Parlance Trading Ltd) | 8/20Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal |
| Trader Score | No trader scores yet | No trader scores yet |
| Regulators | MISA | FCA, CBI, ASIC, MAS |
| Minimum deposit | $30 (Micro); $100 (Standard); $300 (ECN); $500 (Pro ECN) | No account minimums |
| Spreads from | 0.0 pips (Pro ECN); 0.8 pips (ECN); 1.2 pips (Standard; Micro from 1.5 pips) | As narrow as 1/10 PIP (spot FX, no mark-up; commission charged separately) |
| Commission | None on Micro, Standard and ECN; Pro ECN forex $2.5 per lot traded | 0.20 basis point * trade value (Tier I, up to USD 1 billion a month; falls to 0.08 bps at higher volume; minimum USD 2.00 per order) |
| Max leverage | Up to 1:3000 (ECN and Pro ECN, Parlance Trading Ltd) | Not published |
| Platforms | ||
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfers, Debit and credit cards, E-wallets, Local payment methods, Cryptocurrency | Bank wire, Check, ACH, SEPA |
| Retail accounts losing money | Not published | 58.9% |
Facts from each broker's own website and the regulators' registers. Full sources are on each review: Alpari review · Interactive Brokers review.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers, from the facts shown on this page.
Is Alpari or Interactive Brokers better?
Interactive Brokers has the higher TFB Score (73/100 vs 61/100). The best choice depends on your country, platform and payment method.
Are Alpari and Interactive Brokers regulated?
Alpari: MISA. Interactive Brokers: FCA, CBI, ASIC, MAS. Every licence is linked to the regulator's register on each review.
Which is safer, Alpari or Interactive Brokers?
Alpari holds no tier-1 licence; Interactive Brokers holds 4 (FCA, CBI, ASIC and MAS). Tier-1 regulators have the strictest rules on client money. Your protection depends on which company opens your account.
What is the minimum deposit at Alpari and Interactive Brokers?
Alpari: $30 (Micro); $100 (Standard); $300 (ECN); $500 (Pro ECN). Interactive Brokers: No account minimums.
Which has tighter spreads, Alpari or Interactive Brokers?
Published spreads start from 0.0 pips (Pro ECN); 0.8 pips (ECN); 1.2 pips (Standard; Micro from 1.5 pips) at Alpari and As narrow as 1/10 PIP (spot FX, no mark-up; commission charged separately) at Interactive Brokers; commission: Alpari None on Micro, Standard and ECN; Pro ECN forex $2.5 per lot traded, Interactive Brokers 0.20 basis point * trade value (Tier I, up to USD 1 billion a month; falls to 0.08 bps at higher volume; minimum USD 2.00 per order).
Do Alpari and Interactive Brokers offer MetaTrader and TradingView?
Alpari: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Alpari Mobile App. Interactive Brokers: Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal.
More Alpari comparisons
More Interactive Brokers comparisons
Forex trading at these brokers is done through CFDs (contracts for difference): you trade on the price moving up or down, without owning the currency itself.Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Read the full risk warning