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Online trading gives average people access to tools that could help them earn extra money. Since there are numerous online brokers involved in Forex, commodities, and stocks, it makes sense for beginning and expert traders to explore several options before opening any accounts.
Some of these markets have little government oversight because they operate at a global level. That makes it even more important for people to find reliable companies that have good reputations for treating their clients fairly.
Most online brokers recognize that not all traders have the same levels of experience, so look for companies that will help you choose an option that matches your experience and needs.
Introduction to Alpari
Andrey Vedikhin and Andrey Dashin founded Alpari Group in 2004 as a UK-based broker of Forex, precious metals, and contract for difference. Before this, Alpari existed as a Russian company founded by Daniel Skowronski in 1998. Vedikhin and Dashin started the UK office so the company could have a more global reach. It once held its headquarters in Cyprus, but chose to close the location in 2008 and move the headquarters to London.
Currently, Alpari has offices in UAE, India, and Germany. It also has a representative office in China and a subsidiary in Japan.
Since its founding, Alpari has pushed itself to meet the needs of today’s traders. The company has introduced helpful trading platforms, analytic tools, and trading primers. It has even kept up with the mobile revolution by making its services available via smartphone apps.
Alpari Services
Alpari offers four unique accounts to meet the needs of beginning and advanced traders. Compare the accounts to find an option that matches the amount of money you want to spend and the types of services you want to access.
Market Account
This is Alpari’s introductory account. With a $200 minimum deposit, it’s also the cheapest option for Alpari clients. The Market Account uses the MetaTrader 4 platform so clients can trade Forex and precious metals.
If you want to learn more about making money via Forex and precious metal trades, this is a good place to start with Alpari.
Pro Account
Pro Accounts are divided into two options. One has a $10,000 minimum deposit. Clients who choose this option have a 1:100 max leverage for Forex and precious metals. They also get floating leverage on Forex and precious metals. Like the Market Account, it gives clients access to the MetaTrader 4 platform.
The second Pro Account has a $20,000 minimum deposit. This gives clients access to trading two platforms: Alpari Direct Pro and Alpari Direct. Clients get teh advantage of a 1:100 maximum leverage for Forex and a 1:50 maximum leverage for precious metals.
Spread Betting Account
A Spread Betting Account has a minimum account deposit of 250 British Pounds. The account gives clients access to MetaTrader 4. They get a 1:500 maximum leverage for Forex and floating leverage for Forex trades.
MT5 Account
The MT5 Account gives clients access to MetaTrader 5, a 1:500 max leverage for Forex and a 1:100 fixed max leverage for precious metals. It does not offer floating leverage for any trades.
An MT5 has a relatively affordable minimum deposit of $200.
Which account is right for you?
Comparing Alpari With Competitors
Alpari has sophisticated software and training materials that make it one of the most useful online brokers. When it comes to minimum deposits, Alpari falls somewhere in the middle. MB Trading has a $400 minimum deposit. Duascopy only requires a $100 deposit to get started. Alpari requires at least $200, although some accounts have significantly higher minimum deposits.
Serious traders may not find higher deposits problematic, but it could prevent some beginners from getting started with Alpari.
Alpari has been in business for about the same amount of time as its top competitors. Depending on when you start counting, Alpari has been in business for about 10 years. Dukascopy also has 15 years of business experience. MB Trading has 14 years in business. All of these are longer than the industry average, which is just 11 years.
Overall, Alpari gets higher ratings than most companies in the online trading industry. It outranks Dukascopy, MB Trading, ATC Brokers, and many other top-rated traders. This suggests that Alpari is one of the better options for experienced traders who want access to analytical tools and a reliable trading platform.
Alpari Customer Service
Alpari’s customer service center is open 9 am to 6 pm (EST), Monday through Friday. The company responds quickly to questions asked via phone, online chat, and email. Some companies have longer hours to meet the needs of clients who live in different time zones and trade during the night. On the other hand, the customer service that Alpari offers is usually accurate and pleasant.
Alpari also helps customers succeed by giving them access to several resources, including online educational videos for Forex beginners, Web broadcasts, a comprehensive guide to technical analysis, and a regular newsletter that offers tips and advice for successful online trading.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alpari
[+] How do clients open new accounts?
It depends on what country you live in currently. To find the requirements for people in your country, please visit this page on the Alpari website.
[+] Does Alpari offer a mobile trading platform?
Yes. Clients can download MT4 and MT5 apps to their smartphones so they can take advantage of the best trading opportunities throughout the day.
[+] How do I start using MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5?
You have to download the platform to your computer before you can get started. Links to both platforms are available on the Alpari website.
[+] Is it possible to trade online instead of downloading the MT4 or MT5 platforms?
Yes, clients can trade directly through the Alpari website. Most account holders, however, find that they prefer using an independent platform that gives them fast updates and more tools.
[+] What types of trading does Alpari offer?
Common types of trading focus on:
- Forex
- Contracts for Difference (CFD)
- Precious Metals
[+] What platform should clients use for spread betting?
MetaTrader 4 supports spread betting.
Pros of Using Alpari
- Demo account lets potential customers try before they invest real money
- Free research tools
- 24-hour customer support in numerous languages
- Offers a variety of trading platforms for clients to use
Cons of Using Alpari
- Relatively high minimum deposit to start an account
- Less trading control for standard account holders
- Not available to traders in the United States of America
Conclusion
Overall, Alpari gives its clients access to excellent information that helps them make smart trades via a stable platform. The company has a few problems. It’s annoying that U.S. residents cannot sign up for accounts. It’s also somewhat annoying that standard account holders don’t have as much control as those with more expensive accounts.
Still, this is one of the best online trading companies. It has a solid reputation among traders. It treats clients fairly; makes it relatively easy to get customer service; and offers free research tools that can help people develop into better traders.
Since Alpari lets potential clients sign up for demo accounts, no one has to make an uninformed choice. It’s especially helpful that clients can sign up for demo versions of any account type, including those with high minimum deposits.
You should always explore your options before deciding which online broker fits your needs best. Keep Alpari bookmarked as you explore those options. You will probably return to the site when making your final decision