“Which account should you choose at Alpari?” depends on more than just the minimum deposit — platform, margin call threshold, and product range differ significantly across the four types. This article answers the most important questions directly to help you choose correctly from the start.
What fundamentally differs between the four accounts?
Micro ($30): cent-based, 1.5-pip spread, no commission, MT4/MT5.
Standard ($100): 0.3-pip spread, no commission, 1:1000 leverage, MT5.
ECN ($300): 0.1-pip spread, no commission (except crypto), 1:3000 leverage, MT4 ONLY, 80% margin call.
Pro ECN ($500): 0.0-pip spread, commission varying by asset, the widest product range, MT5 ONLY.
Why is ECN limited to MT4 only while Pro ECN is MT5 only?
This is the most notable platform fragmentation across all 13 brokers analyzed in this series — not just limiting a product range by platform (like XChief’s xPRIME being MT5-only), but locking BOTH of Alpari’s intermediate-to-premium accounts to two different platforms entirely. The specific technical reason isn’t publicly stated, but the practical consequence is: if you have an Expert Advisor that only runs on MT4 and want to upgrade from ECN to Pro ECN, you’ll have to rewrite it or find an MT5-compatible version of that EA before switching.
What does the 80% Margin Call threshold on ECN mean in practice?
For accounts with a 50% margin call (Micro, Standard, Pro ECN), the system intervenes when available margin drops to 50% of the maintenance requirement. For ECN (80% margin call), intervention happens EARLIER — when margin remains at 80%. This means the ECN account has a narrower “buffer” before forced liquidation compared with other accounts — a more cautious measure by Alpari for this account, possibly related to the higher maximum leverage (1:3000) that comes with it.
Why understanding margin call matters more than just looking at spread
Many traders focus most of their attention on spread and commission when comparing accounts, but the margin call threshold directly determines when you can be forced out of a position under adverse market conditions — a factor affecting your account’s “survival” that matters more than a few dollars of cost difference per lot. Before choosing ECN for its attractive spread, understand clearly that this 80% threshold means a narrower safety margin, requiring closer account monitoring than account types with the more generous 50% threshold.
Which account should beginners choose?
Micro is the clearest choice — the lowest deposit ($30), a simple fee structure, and a standard 50% margin call (not as cautious as ECN but not too loose either). This is a safe starting point to get familiar with the platform before considering more complex account types.
When should you consider Pro ECN despite its highest deposit?
Pro ECN makes sense when you specifically need: (1) stock CFD or ETF trading not available on other accounts, or (2) trading volume high enough to take advantage of the 0.0-pip spread in exchange for asset-based commission. If you only trade standard forex at moderate volume, Standard or ECN usually deliver a more sensible cost-to-benefit ratio.
How is Pro ECN’s commission calculated for each asset class?
Based on public information: forex is charged at $25/million dollars of notional value (roughly $2.5/standard lot), crypto at 0.03% of notional value, and stocks at $0.02/lot per side. This is a fairly complex tiered commission structure by asset class — confirm directly how it’s calculated for the specific instrument you plan to trade most before opening an account.
Can you open multiple accounts to avoid the platform-fragmentation issue?
Yes — for example, opening ECN (MT4) in parallel for a strategy using an old EA, and Pro ECN (MT5) for stock CFD trading, managing both under the same MyAlpari profile. This is a practical way to take advantage of each account’s strengths without having to fully give up a familiar platform for one specific purpose, though it means managing and tracking two separate accounts instead of one.
A concrete cost example for 1 lot of EUR/USD on Pro ECN
Using the $25/million-dollar notional formula, and 1 lot of EUR/USD equaling roughly $100,000 notional value, estimated commission is about $2.5 per side (~$5 round-turn), plus a spread near 0 pips. Total estimated cost for 1 lot is about $5 — competitive with ECN (0.1-pip spread, near-free commission for forex). The real difference between these two accounts lies more in product range (Pro ECN adds stocks/ETFs) than in pure forex cost.
Comparing product range across accounts
Micro, Standard, and ECN focus mainly on forex, metals, and some popular CFDs. Pro ECN expands significantly with stock CFDs and ETFs — similar to how XChief limits its expanded product range to xPRIME only. If your strategy doesn’t involve stocks/ETFs, the first three accounts already meet your needs without paying extra deposit or learning the MT5 platform if you’re used to MT4.
Frequently asked questions when comparing Alpari accounts
Is Standard really commission-free on every instrument? Based on public information, there’s an exception for crypto (a 0.03% fee applies even on this otherwise commission-free account) — confirm directly if you plan to trade crypto CFDs.
Is 1:1000 leverage on Standard safer than 1:3000 on ECN? In theory, less liquidation risk at the same price movement, but both are high leverage levels requiring careful risk management — don’t treat 1:1000 as “safe” in an absolute sense.
Should you start directly with ECN for the low spread? Not recommended for beginners — the stricter 80% margin call combined with higher maximum leverage creates an environment demanding better risk-management experience than Micro or Standard.
Can you switch between account types after opening one? You can usually open a new account under the same verified MyAlpari profile — the most practical way to test before committing large capital to one specific type, especially important here given the platform fragmentation between ECN and Pro ECN.
Can the 80% margin call on ECN change over time? Possibly — risk-management parameters like the margin call threshold can be adjusted by the broker over time depending on market conditions or internal policy — always confirm the current exact figure in your account terms before trading large volume.
Now that you understand the differences between the 4 accounts, ready to choose the right one at Alpari? Micro is the safest starting point for beginners.
Alpari currently has a welcome offer for new accounts for a limited time — terms may change, check directly when you register.
Forex and CFD trading involves leverage and carries a high risk of capital loss. The fee figures in this article are for reference at the time of writing and may change — always check the latest official fee schedule. This is not investment advice. Learn more at FXM680’s Forex Academy.