| Feature | Exness | Alpaca |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Established broker with global reach, focused on forex and CFD trading | Commission-free stock and crypto trading platform focused on algorithmic traders |
| Regulation | Regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA, and more, offering high levels of security | Regulated by FINRA, SEC for U.S. residents, focusing on compliance for U.S. markets |
| Markets Available | Forex, CFDs on commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, stocks | U.S. stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies |
| Trading Platform | MetaTrader 4 and 5, WebTrader, mobile apps | Proprietary API-based trading platform, web and mobile app |
| API Access | Limited API support, mostly within the MetaTrader ecosystem | Full API access for algorithmic trading, REST API, and WebSocket for real-time updates |
| Commission Fees | Commission-free for standard accounts, small commissions for specific accounts | Zero-commission for stocks and ETFs, limited fees on crypto trades |
| Spreads | Variable spreads starting from 0.3 pips on certain accounts | No spreads on stock trades, only markups on crypto spreads |
| Leverage | Offers high leverage up to 1:2000 (may vary by region and account type) | Leverage not available for U.S. stocks, 2x margin on certain accounts |
| Minimum Deposit | Typically starts at $1 for Standard accounts, higher for professional accounts | No minimum deposit required |
| Order Types | Market, limit, stop orders, pending orders, trailing stops | Market, limit, stop, bracket orders, advanced conditional orders |
| Demo Account | Yes, free demo account available for testing | Yes, free paper trading account for algorithmic testing and manual practice |
| Education Resources | Basic articles, webinars, video tutorials for forex trading | Extensive developer documentation, API guides, limited market education resources |
| Customer Support | 24/7 multilingual support, live chat, phone, and email | Support available via email, limited live support, focused on developer assistance |
| Mobile App | Yes, full-featured mobile trading app available | Yes, with trading and portfolio management features, especially API access via mobile |
| Deposit Methods | Bank transfer, credit/debit cards, e-wallets, crypto deposits | Bank transfer, ACH for U.S. residents, no crypto deposit option |
| Withdrawal Methods | Bank transfer, credit/debit cards, e-wallets, crypto withdrawals | Bank transfer, ACH, usually free for U.S. accounts, crypto withdrawals not supported |
| Algo Trading Support | Limited, mostly via EA scripts in MetaTrader | Extensive, supports algorithmic trading via REST API and broker integrations |
| Security Features | Two-factor authentication (2FA), segregated client funds, regulatory audits | Two-factor authentication (2FA), industry-standard encryption, U.S. regulatory compliance |
| Target Audience | Primarily forex and CFD traders, beginners to professional traders | Primarily algorithmic traders, developers, investors interested in U.S. markets |
| Unique Selling Points | High leverage options, wide range of forex pairs, multilingual support | Commission-free, API-first platform, ideal for algo traders and developers |
| Social Trading | Offers a social trading platform where users can copy trades of experienced traders | Does not provide a social trading feature; focused on individual and algorithmic trading |
| Account Types | Offers Standard, Standard Plus, Raw Spread, Pro, and Zero accounts | No specific account types; all accounts offer similar features for trading and API access |
| Trading Signals | Provides trading signals through MetaTrader | No built-in trading signals, but users can implement custom signals through API |
| Trade Execution Speed | Ultra-fast execution with average speeds around 0.01 seconds, prioritizing liquidity | High-speed execution, but not specifically optimized for forex-speed demands |
| Scalping Allowed | Yes, scalping is permitted on all accounts | Yes, scalping allowed, especially encouraged for algorithmic setups |
| Hedging Capability | Hedging is allowed across all account types | Supports hedging but mostly relevant to multi-account strategies via API |
| Account Base Currencies | Supports multiple base currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, and cryptocurrencies | USD only |
| Platform Customization | Limited customization available in MetaTrader, more flexible on WebTrader | Highly customizable for algorithmic setups via API, allows full control over trade executions |
| Order Routing | Utilizes smart order routing to ensure best possible execution prices for forex | Smart order routing for U.S. stocks to maximize execution efficiency |
| Trading Incentives | Occasionally provides bonuses, promotions, and rebates for new and existing users | No bonuses or promotions, focus is on providing a no-fee, developer-friendly environment |
| Data Feeds | Offers basic price and volume data for forex and CFDs | Offers real-time U.S. stock data and crypto data feeds, compatible with major financial APIs |
| Supported Countries | Available in many countries globally but with restrictions in the U.S. | Primarily available to U.S. residents and select international markets |
| Advanced Charting Tools | Provides advanced charting tools within MetaTrader and WebTrader platforms | Basic charting available, encourages external charting integrations through API |
| Trading Community | Large global user community, forums, and support groups | Developer-focused community, forums, GitHub resources, and technical support |
| Margin Requirements | Offers flexible margin requirements based on account type and leverage settings | Standard margin requirements for stocks, up to 2x leverage for margin-eligible U.S. accounts |
| Fractional Shares | Not available, trades full lot sizes for forex and CFDs | Yes, fractional shares available for U.S. stocks |
| Market Data Cost | Provides free basic market data | Free real-time data for U.S. stocks, some advanced data subscriptions may incur fees |
| Financial Reports Access | Access to economic calendars, news feeds, basic market analysis reports | No specific financial reports; users may import external data for analysis via API |
| API Language Support | Limited to MQL4/MQL5 scripts within MetaTrader ecosystem | Supports REST API with SDKs in Python, JavaScript, and other major languages |
| Bot Integration | Supports trading bots through MetaTrader's Expert Advisors | Full bot integration with custom bot development through REST API |
| Trading Restrictions | Some restrictions on crypto CFDs, varies by region | No restrictions on stocks, limited crypto assets available |
| Customer Onboarding | Easy onboarding with ID verification, supports multiple languages | Seamless onboarding, fully digital, verification primarily for U.S. residents |
| Risk Management Tools | Includes negative balance protection, risk alerts, margin calls | Provides conditional orders, stop-loss and take-profit options, primarily geared toward API configurations |
| Liquidity Providers | Partners with multiple Tier-1 liquidity providers for forex and CFD trading | Connected to major U.S. stock exchanges and market makers for direct stock liquidity |
| Asset Segregation | Client funds held in segregated accounts, aligned with regulatory standards | Ensures client funds are segregated, follows FINRA/SEC guidelines for investor protection |
| Market Access Hours | 24/5 forex and CFD trading, crypto trading available 24/7 | Stock trading limited to U.S. market hours, crypto available 24/7 |
| Account Funding Time | Instant funding for most methods, bank transfers may take 1-3 days | ACH transfers usually processed within 1-3 business days, instant funding options available |
| Withdrawal Processing Time | Fast withdrawal processing, often completed within 24 hours for e-wallets | ACH withdrawals take 1-3 business days, no instant withdrawal options |
| Currency Pairs Available | Offers over 100 forex pairs for trading, including major, minor, and exotic pairs | Limited to U.S. dollar-denominated trading, with no forex or international currency pairs |
| Chart Indicators | Provides over 50 built-in indicators on MetaTrader, with custom indicator support | Basic charting options, encourages integration with third-party tools for detailed analysis |
| Algo-Trading Support Framework | Uses MetaTrader's Expert Advisors (EAs) for automated strategies, limited API for external use | Fully API-driven platform with extensive support for algorithmic trading and SDKs |
| Payment Integration | Accepts PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, cryptocurrency payments | Limited to traditional payment methods like ACH and bank transfers |
| Access to Real-Time News | Access to real-time economic news and updates within the MetaTrader platform | Limited news access; recommends external integrations for news via API |
| Trading Platform Stability | High server stability for MetaTrader, optimized for high-frequency forex trading | Robust API platform, optimized for stable, continuous algorithmic trading |
| Mobile Trading Notifications | Offers customizable push notifications for price alerts, order execution, account updates | Supports notifications for order execution and price levels via app and API |
| Backtesting Capability | MetaTrader allows historical data backtesting for forex and CFD strategies | Full backtesting capability through API, historical data available for stocks |
| Data Retention | Historical data storage available for forex pairs, commodities, and indices | Retains historical data for U.S. stocks, facilitates detailed backtesting through API |
| Order Modification Flexibility | Provides flexible order modifications, including partial close and price adjustments on MetaTrader | High flexibility in modifying and canceling orders via API, suited for algorithmic adjustments |
| Corporate Actions Handling | No corporate action involvement in CFD trading; all trades are derivatives | Handles corporate actions like dividends and stock splits, automatically adjusts for client holdings |
| Portfolio Analytics | Provides basic portfolio analytics on MetaTrader, with more advanced tools in WebTrader | Offers portfolio performance metrics and data through API, encourages custom analytics integration |
| Integration with TradingView | Limited integration, primarily through WebTrader for charting | Encourages TradingView integration for enhanced charting via API and data feeds |
| Advanced Order Types | Supports trailing stops, take-profit and stop-loss orders, OCO orders | Supports advanced order types like bracket orders, conditional orders for risk management |
| User Data Privacy | Strong data privacy standards, complies with GDPR and international regulations | Complies with U.S. data privacy laws, offers developer-focused security and privacy |
| Developer Community Support | Limited developer resources, mainly MetaTrader community and forums | Extensive developer resources, API documentation, GitHub, community support for API troubleshooting |
| Brokerage Integration | Standalone broker with in-house liquidity and platforms | Partnered with various brokers and financial institutions for enhanced market access and liquidity |
| New User Onboarding Assistance | Offers basic tutorials, guides, and demo accounts to familiarize users with forex trading | Full API documentation and example scripts, focuses on developers and algorithmic trading guidance |
Exness offers extensive forex and CFD trading with flexible account options and high leverage, ideal for global traders. Alpaca, a commission-free U.S.-focused platform, provides extensive API support for algorithmic traders in stocks and crypto.