Broker Alarab
Broker Comparison

Alpari vs Ultima Markets: Which Broker Is Better?

Compare Alpari and Ultima Markets across fees, spreads, regulation, account types, trading platforms and overall suitability for different trading needs.

Best Overall
Ultima Markets
Overall Rating
Best for Beginners
Both are suitable
Costs and Execution
Closely matched
Direct Comparison

Alpari vs Ultima Markets

VS
Alpari logo

Alpari

4.03out of 5
Best Suited For

Flexible leverage

Ultima Markets logo

Ultima Markets

4.15out of 5
Best Suited For

MetaTrader and multi-asset trading

Broker Alarab View
Our View on Alpari▼

Alpari is more relevant to experienced traders interested in ECN and Pro ECN accounts, PAMM services and flexible forex trading through MT4 and MT5.

Its account range and leverage may appeal to active traders, but beginners should carefully review the available entity, licence coverage, client-money protection and overall risk before opening an account.

Our View on Ultima Markets▼

Ultima Markets offers Standard, Standard Cent, ECN and ECN Cent accounts, with flexible conditions that may suit smaller accounts as well as traders using more active short-term strategies.

It may attract traders comparing leverage, account flexibility and spread-based pricing, but regulatory strength, client protection and the entity serving the account should be reviewed carefully before using high leverage.

Score Analysis

Strength Comparison

Compare Alpari and Ultima Markets across the main factors traders consider when choosing a broker.

Comparison Factor
Alpari
Ultima Markets

Safety & Trust

3.80
4.00

Fees & Costs

4.15
4.30

Trading Platforms

4.20
4.25

Deposits & Withdrawals

4.15
4.20

Customer Support

3.85
4.00

Small score differences do not mean the brokers are identical. Choose according to the factor that matters most to you, such as regulation, trading costs, platforms, withdrawals or customer support.

Accounts & Trading Costs

Compare Accounts and Fees

Compare account types, spreads, commissions and minimum deposits at Alpari and Ultima Markets.

Quick Cost Comparison
Trading costs are closely matched

Neither broker has a decisive cost advantage, so compare the conditions of each account.

Alpari
4
available accounts
Ultima Markets
4
available accounts
Ease of Entry
Best for Beginners
Both are suitable
Comparison
Alpari
Ultima Markets
Main Account
Micro
Standard
Minimum Deposit
$30
$50
Spread
1.7 – 2.2
1.0 - 1.5
Commission
$0
$0
Execution
Market Execution
Market Execution
Account Details

Explore Available Account Types

Open each broker to compare the spread, commission, deposit and execution method for every account.

Alpari Accounts

4 available accounts

▼
Micro

Beginners

Details
Spread
1.7 – 2.2
Commission
$0
Deposit
$30
Execution: Market Execution
Standard

General traders

Details
Spread
1.2 – 1.7
Commission
$0
Deposit
$100
Execution: Market Execution
ECN

General traders

Details
Spread
0.4 – 0.9
Commission
$3 per lot
Deposit
$300
Execution: Market Execution
Pro ECN

General traders

Details
Spread
0.0 – 0.3
Commission
$4 per lot
Deposit
$500
Execution: Market Execution

Ultima Markets Accounts

4 available accounts

▼
Standard

Active Traders

Details
Spread
1.0 - 1.5
Commission
$0
Deposit
$50
Execution: Market Execution
ECN

Advace Traders

Details
Spread
0.0 - 0.3
Commission
$5 per lot
Deposit
$50
Execution: Market Execution
Standard Cent

Low-budget beginners

Details
Spread
1.0 - 1.5
Commission
$0
Deposit
$50
Execution: Market Execution
ECN Cent

Low-budget ECN traders

Details
Spread
0.0 - 0.3
Commission
$5 per lot
Deposit
$50
Execution: Market Execution

Do not choose a broker based only on the number of accounts. Compare spreads, commissions, minimum deposits and execution methods before selecting a trading account.

Choose the Broker That Fits Your Trading

Continue after reviewing the available accounts and trading costs.

Alpari
Start Now
Ultima Markets
Start Now
Safety & Regulation

Compare Broker Safety

Alpari vs Ultima Markets

Compare safety scores, regulators and the legal entity responsible for each trading account.

Alpari
3.80
Safety score out of 5
Ultima Markets
4.00
Safety score out of 5
Alpari
1 licenceIslamic account
Ultima Markets
2 licencesIslamic account

The number of licences alone is not enough. Verify the legal entity that will hold your account.

Alpari logo
Regulatory Profile

Alpari Licences

1 registered licence • 3.80 out of 5

▼
Headquarters
Fomboni, Comoros
Islamic Account
Available

Regulators

1 record
MISAInternational oversight
Mwali International Services Authority
Licence Number
T2023236
Legal Entity
Alpari (Comoros) Ltd
Regulation and Fund Protection
Read the full analysis
▼

Regulatory Summary

Alpari is currently represented in the available data by Alpari (Comoros) Ltd, authorised by the Mwali International Services Authority in the Comoros under licence number T2023236. Unlike brokers with top-tier entities regulated by the FCA, ASIC or CySEC, the regulatory profile shown here relies on one international licence, which is an important factor when comparing Alpari with other brokers.

Alpari may offer forex accounts and trading conditions that appeal to active traders, including options associated with ECN-style trading. However, flexible trading conditions do not remove the difference in regulatory strength, and complaint procedures, supervision and investor protection under MISA may be less extensive than those provided by major regulators.

Before opening an Alpari account or transferring a significant amount, traders should verify the licence number and the name of Alpari (Comoros) Ltd in the official register. This broker may suit traders who understand the risks of dealing with an international entity, but it may not be suitable for those who require top-tier regulation.

Client Fund Protection at Alpari

Alpari states in its account terms that client funds are separated from company operating funds and that negative balance protection may apply under the relevant agreement. However, the entity shown in our regulatory data is Alpari (Comoros) Ltd, which is regulated by MISA in the Comoros. These contractual safeguards should not be treated as equivalent to investor compensation schemes available under certain top-tier regulators.

Before depositing or maintaining a large trading balance, traders should review the legal entity, client-money arrangements, withdrawal rules and complaint process. The applicable level of protection depends on the account agreement and the company responsible for holding the client’s funds.

Ultima Markets logo
Regulatory Profile

Ultima Markets Licences

2 registered licences • 4.00 out of 5

▼
Headquarters
Port Louis, Mauritius
Islamic Account
Available

Regulators

2 records
FSCAModerate oversight
Financial Sector Conduct Authority
Licence Number
52497
Legal Entity
Ultima Markets ZA (Pty) Ltd
South Africa
Official Check
FSC BelizeInternational oversight
Financial Services Commission Belize
Licence Number
GB23201593
Legal Entity
Ultima Markets Ltd
Regulation and Fund Protection
Read the full analysis
▼

Regulatory Summary

Ultima Markets appears in the available regulatory data through Ultima Markets ZA (Pty) Ltd, registered with the FSCA in South Africa under number 52497, and Ultima Markets Ltd, supervised by the financial regulator in Mauritius under number GB23201593. This structure is less diverse than that of brokers with entities authorised by the FCA, ASIC or CySEC.

Two regulated entities provide a legal framework for delivering services, but they do not automatically offer the same protection as brokers supervised by leading regulators. Leverage, account conditions, complaint procedures and legal protection may vary according to the entity assigned to the client during registration.

Before opening an Ultima Markets account, traders should verify the legal company name, licence number and permitted activities in the official register. This is particularly important for traders attracted by flexible accounts or promotional conditions, as it helps assess regulatory strength independently from the broker’s trading offer.

Client Fund Protection at Ultima Markets

Ultima Markets states that client funds are separated from the company’s operating money under the requirements of the entity responsible for the account. Negative balance protection may also apply according to the relevant trading conditions, helping eligible clients limit liability arising from a negative account balance.

The current regulatory structure in our data includes entities supervised by FSCA in South Africa and FSC in Mauritius, without an FCA, ASIC or CySEC-regulated entity. Traders should carefully review the client agreement, withdrawal policy, complaint process and protection limits before depositing or maintaining a large balance with Ultima Markets.

Before depositing, match the legal entity and licence number in your client agreement with the regulator’s official register.

Comparison Summary

Which Broker Fits You?

Choose based on your priorities, not the overall rating alone.

Overall Result
The two brokers are closely matched

The difference is limited. Make your decision based on the account, fees and trading platform you need.

Easier Start
Both are suitable
Fees & Costs
Costs are closely matched
Alpari logo
Alternative Choice by Priority

Alpari

4.03
out of 5
Choose This Broker If You Want

ECN accounts and PAMM options for experienced traders

Low-deposit tradersHigh-leverage traders
Important

Traders should verify the legal entity and regulatory licence before registering

Ultima Markets logo
Alternative Choice by Priority

Ultima Markets

4.15
out of 5
Choose This Broker If You Want

Standard and ECN accounts with multiple trading options

ECN tradersHigh-frequency traders
Important

Regulatory strength and client protection should be reviewed for each legal entity

Final Decision
Broker Alarab View

Ultima Markets offers Standard, Standard Cent, ECN and ECN Cent accounts, with flexible conditions that may suit smaller accounts as well as traders using more active short-term strategies.

Check the account conditions, fees and regulatory entity available in your country before registering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Alpari and Ultima Markets

Important answers before opening an account or choosing the more suitable broker.

Alpari
Ultima Markets

Questions About Alpari

3 questions

Is Alpari a regulated broker and how safe is it?

▼

Alpari is registered in Mwali and regulated by the Mwali International Services Authority (MISA), which is considered an offshore regulator. It is not regulated by top-tier authorities like FCA or ASIC, which means lower investor protection compared to major brokers.

What happened to Alpari in 2015 and why is it important?

▼

Alpari UK went into insolvency in 2015 after the Swiss franc crisis, leading to the closure of its regulated UK entity. The current Alpari operates under a different offshore structure.

What is the minimum deposit required to start trading with Alpari?

▼

Alpari allows traders to start from around $30 on Micro accounts, while higher-tier accounts such as ECN and Pro ECN require deposits starting from $300 to $500.

Questions About Ultima Markets

3 questions

Is Ultima Markets a legit broker or a scam?

▼

Ultima Markets is a real trading broker operating under entities such as FSC and FSCA. While it provides actual trading services, its regulatory strength is lower than top-tier brokers, which is why some user complaints exist, usually related to withdrawals or verification processes.

How fast are withdrawals from Ultima Markets?

▼

Withdrawals at Ultima Markets are generally fast for crypto and e-wallets, often processed within hours, while bank transfers can take between 1 to 5 business days depending on the method and verification status.

Why is my withdrawal delayed on Ultima Markets?

▼

Withdrawal delays are usually caused by incomplete account verification, security checks, or using a different withdrawal method than the deposit method, which are standard procedures for fund protection.

Conditions may vary by country and regulatory entity. Review the account details before registering.