Alpari is one of the most experienced forex brands in the region (since 1998). Emphasis on the classic MT4/MT5 stack, an extended account line (from nano to Pro ECN), passive strategy services (PAMM/copy), fixed contracts (in select jurisdictions), 24/7 support and regular contests. The product matrix covers both newcomers (cent/nano & demo) and active traders (ECN/Pro ECN, VPS, tight spreads on liquid symbols).
2) Accounts: models, deposits, spreads
Accounts differ by pricing model, minimum deposit and instrument set. The key is balancing spread vs commission:
nano.mt4
• Min. deposit: 0 USD / 0 RUB
• Leverage: 1:500
• Instruments: ≈35
• Model: Wider spread, usually no commissions
• Best for: Beginners, robot/idea testing with minimal risk
standard.mt4
• Min. deposit: 20 USD / 1,300 RUB
• Leverage: up to 1:1000
• Instruments: ≈35
• Model: Floating spread, no commission
• Best for: Manual trading, swing/intraday
standard.mt5
• Min. deposit: 100 USD / 6,000 RUB
• Leverage: up to 1:1000
• Instruments: ≈35
• Model: Floating spread, no commission
• Best for: MT5 fans, heavy testing in the strategy tester
ecn.mt4
• Min. deposit: 300 USD / 18,000 RUB
• Leverage: up to 1:1000
• Instruments: ≈66
• Model: Tight spread + separate commission
• Best for: EAs, scalping, news strategies
pro.ecn.mt4
• Min. deposit: 500 USD / 30,000 RUB
• Leverage: up to 1:1000
• Instruments: ≈66
• Model: Ultra-tight spreads + commission
• Best for: Active/pro strategies
ecn.mt5
• Min. deposit: 500 USD / 30,000 RUB
• Leverage: up to 1:1000
• Instruments: ≈66
• Model: Market spreads + commission
• Best for: ECN trading with MT5 feature set
Values are indicative. Check exact spreads/commissions in symbol specifications in the terminal and in regulations.
3) Platforms and execution
MetaTrader 4 — the classic: huge community, tons of indicators/EAs, stable functionality.
MetaTrader 5 — extended “multi-market” terminal: depth of market, advanced tester, full reports.
BinaryTrader / Fix-ContractsTrader — interfaces for fixed contracts/binary strategies (availability depends on country).
Execution: market (ECN) or standard per account model. During news, expect possible slippage (both ways), spread widening and minimum stop-level constraints.
Tip: for robots and scalping, keep a VPS close to trade servers and avoid thin-liquidity periods (night/holidays).
4) Instruments and specifications
Core asset classes:
Forex: majors/crosses/exotics.
Metals: gold/silver etc.
Indices: major global benchmarks via CFDs.
Cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH and popular alts (as CFDs; sessions vary by symbol).
CFDs on stocks/commodities/energy: broad coverage of liquid markets.
In the terminal check Symbol → Specification: contract size, tick/pip value, sessions, margin requirements, swaps/Swap-Free.
5) Commissions, spreads, swaps
Cost structure
Spread — wider on standard/cent, tighter on ECN/Pro ECN.
Commission — usually on ECN (fixed per traded volume).
Swap — for overnight positions; depends on instrument/rates.
Non-trading fees — vary by payment method (see below).
Practical cost control
Match account type to strategy (scalping ⇢ ECN).
Avoid thin markets or “minute” news spikes.
Keep position sizes in line with symbol liquidity.
Withdrawal delay: check KYC, method match in/out, ticket status; if needed — support ticket with docs.
Wide spread: check time of day/news/liquidity; switch to ECN if your strategy is sensitive.
Order rejection: check min stop levels, sessions and volumes; adjust parameters.
EA errors: “Experts/Journal”, symbol trade permissions, algo-trading permissions.
13) FAQ
Is swap-free available? In some entities — yes, per rules and instrument list.
Can I hedge? Yes, on accounts with a suitable model.
What leverage in the EU? Typically lower due to regulations.
Payment fees? Depends on method/promos; reimbursements more common for VIP.
Crypto-CFDs on weekends? Per symbol schedule — see specification.
14) Summary
Alpari is a mature brokerage brand for a wide range of needs: from learning/demo and cent solutions to active ECN trading with VPS and advanced strategies. Before you start, it’s crucial to confirm: your servicing jurisdiction, real costs (spread/commission/swap), available payment rails and support SLAs. Baseline path: demo → nano/standard with a small deposit → test withdrawal → move to ECN/Pro ECN and scale.
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Alpari works, but it’s definitely not the best option out there. The website feels outdated, and I had some slippage during high-volatility news events. Support responds, but not always quickly. It’s okay for small accounts or testing strategies, but I wouldn’t rely on it for serious volume.
@Ryan I get what you mean — my experience with Alpari has been pretty similar. The platform works, withdrawals go through, but it definitely feels like an older setup compared to what other brokers offer today. I also ran into slippage during volatile moves, especially on NFP days. It’s fine if you’re running small tests or just getting familiar with the market, but for larger positions or more active trading, the conditions feel a bit too limited. Reliability is okay, but not impressive.
I’ve been using Alpari on and off for a couple of years. The platform is stable, spreads are fine for major pairs, and withdrawals usually go through without any drama. It’s a good choice if you just want straightforward Forex trading without too many bells and whistles. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.