Which Alpari trading account is right for you?

When it comes to online trading, choosing the right type of account is an important step in creating your ideal trading environment.

Whether you're new to trading, have some intermediate skills, or are an experienced or professional trader, we aim to offer accounts to suit meet your trading style, strategy, and needs.

This blog outlines the different features of the various Alpari trading accounts to help you decide which is best for your trading goals.

 

Our accounts at a glance

At Alpari, we offer three different trading accounts:

• Standard
• ECN
• Pro ECN

We also offer a demo account for beginner traders to test the waters with no financial risk.

Let’s take a look at what each of these accounts offers.

 

Alpari Standard trading account 

The Standard trading account is ideal for newer traders and those looking for an easy way to enter the markets. Here’s what it offers.

 

No commission  

The Standard account has no commission charges, lowering trading costs to maximise potential gains.

 

User-centric trading platforms  

Access to both MT4 and MT5 trading platforms ensures beginners have a comprehensive set of tools and resources to help them learn and grow as traders.

 

Low capital requirement

An initial deposit requirement of $/€50 for MT4 and $/€100 for MT5 is accessible for beginners who want to start trading with a lower initial investment.

 

Key features of the Standard trading account: 

• Platforms: MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader (MT5)
• Minimum deposit: $$/€50 (MT4) or $/€100 (MT5)
• Leverage: Up to 1:1000
• Spreads: Starting from 0.3 pips
• Commissions: No commission
• Trading instruments: Forex, Metals, Indices, and Commodities

 

Alpari ECN trading account

The ECN trading account is a great choice for intermediate to experienced traders, trading at a medium-to-high frequency or volume.

An ECN (or Electronic Communication Network) allows individual traders in different countries to buy or sell instruments together without the need for an intermediary.

 

No commission and competitive spreads

The ECN is a zero-commission account, while offering competitive spreads from as low as 0.1 pips, suitable for a variety of trading strategies and lowering the overall trading costs.

 

Broad instrument selection

Available on the MT4 trading platform, the ECN account provides access to a broad selection of trading instruments including Forex, Metals, Indices, Commodities, and Cryptocurrencies.

 

Balanced trading

The ECN account is a good option for balanced trading, with a reliable trading platform, competitive trading costs, and a wide range of instruments available.  

 

Key features of the ECN trading account:

• Platforms: MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
• Minimum deposit: $/€300
• Leverage: Up to 1:3000
• Spreads: Starting from 0.1 pips
• Commissions: No commission
• Trading instruments: Forex, Metals, Indices, Commodities, and Cryptocurrencies

 

Alpari Pro ECN trading account

The Pro ECN trading account is best for the professional or experienced trader, trading at high frequency or high volume in short time frames. The Pro ECN offers an advanced trading environment with low trading costs.

 

Tight spreads and low commission

The Pro ECN offers the tightest spreads available – from as low as zero for certain assets – and is perfect for traders looking to target trades for even the smallest of price movements. Low, fixed commission rates allow for predictable costs that can be easily factored into potential trading plans.

 

Advanced platform options

The Pro ECN account is available on both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), offering a range of advanced charting options, automated trading, and a robust trading environment.

 

Diverse instruments

With the widest range of instruments available (when using MT5), the Pro ECN account caters to diversified trading strategies.

 

Key features of the Pro ECN trading account:

• Platforms: MetaTrader 4 (MT4) & MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
• Minimum deposit: $/€500
• Leverage: Up to 1:3000
• Spreads: Starting from 0.0 pips
• Commissions: Forex, Metals, Indices, and Commodities - $25 per notional million traded, Cryptocurrency - 0.05% notional traded, Stocks CFDs - $0.02 per side/lot (1 share = 1 lot)
• Trading instruments: Full range available - Forex, Metals, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, and Stocks (MT5 only)

 

 

Demo Account 

The Demo account is designed for those new to trading. It’s also useful for more experienced traders who want to test new strategies without financial risk.

A Demo account allows traders to practice trading in a simulated trading environment of the real markets, with virtual funds. Traders can familiarise themselves with the trading platform and learn to execute trades efficiently, without any risk of financial loss.

 

Differences between Standard, ECN and Pro ECN accounts on Alpari

Understanding the key differences between the available account types helps you to align your trading strategy and goals to your account choice.

Each account type caters to different levels of trading experience and investment capacity. Below, we break down how these accounts differ in terms of markets, trading platforms, leverage, spread, commissions, and minimum initial deposit.

 

Markets

• Standard: Includes Forex, Metals, Indices, and Commodities
• ECN: Covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Commodities, and Cryptocurrencies
• Pro ECN: A broad range including Forex, Metals, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, and Stocks (on MT5)

 

Trading Platforms

• Standard: Available on both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ideal for beginners and intermediate traders
• ECN: Available on MetaTrader 4 (MT4), offering a robust and widely-used trading environment
• Pro ECN: Offers both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), providing advanced charting tools and automated trading options

 

Leverage

• Standard: Offers lower leverage options, up to 1:1000, catering to beginner traders to manage risk effectively
• ECN: Provides competitive leverage, up to 1:3000, suitable for intermediate to advanced traders
• Pro ECN: Offers higher leverage options, up to 1:3000, allowing experienced and professional traders to maximise their trading potential

 

Spread

• Standard: Spreads from 0.3 pips, suitable for new traders who are learning the ropes
• ECN: Spreads from 0.1 pips, offering competitive pricing without commissions
• Pro ECN: Spreads from 0.0 pips, making it ideal for traders who need tight spreads for high-frequency trading

 

Commissions

• Standard: Zero commissions, making it cost-effective for beginners
• ECN: Zero commissions, which can significantly reduce trading costs for high-volume traders
• Pro ECN: Fixed, competitive commission rates that offers reliable, predictable trading costs

 

Minimum initial deposit

• Standard: Requires a minimum deposit of just $/€50 for MT4 users and $/€100 for MT5, making it the most accessible for beginners and those looking to trade lower amounts
• ECN: Requires a minimum deposit of $/€300, accessible to serious traders without a high entry barrier
• Pro ECN: Requires a minimum deposit of $/€500, reflecting its professional-grade trading conditions

 

Choosing the right account

Your choice of trading account should align with your trading experience, capital, and trading strategy. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

• If you're a beginner or have limited initial capital, the Standard account offers a low-risk entry into the trading world with the necessary tools to develop your trading skills
• If you're an intermediate trader who prefers not to pay commissions and still enjoy competitive spreads, the ECN account provides a balanced option
• If you're an experienced or professional trader looking for the best trading conditions with the lowest possible spreads and don’t mind a higher minimum deposit requirement, the PRO ECN account is your best bet

 

Final thoughts 

Selecting the right trading account is a crucial step in your trading journey.

Alpari's accounts are designed to cater to different levels of traders, making sure that whether you're just starting out or are an experienced trader, there's an account that suits your needs.

Evaluate your trading goals, consider the features and benefits of each account, and make an informed decision so that you may take advantage of trading opportunities.