Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Singapore traders navigating the competitive forex landscape in 2025, choosing between EasyMarkets and Alpari requires a close look at local trading conditions, costs, and regulatory safeguards. Both brokers are well-known globally, but their offerings for Singapore-based traders differ significantly. EasyMarkets, with an overall score of 3.4/5, stands out for its user-friendly platform, tight spreads, and deep integration with local payment methods like PayNow, bank transfer, and credit card. Alpari, scoring 3.1/5, appeals to high-volume traders with raw spreads but lacks local payment support and has a more complex regulatory structure. Given the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) strict oversight of financial activities, traders must also consider that neither broker is licensed by MAS—meaning deposits are not protected under the SDIC. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, deposit methods, and support specifically for Singapore traders, helping you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Alpari |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Alpari |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Alpari |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Alpari |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 | EasyMarkets |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially when trading USD/SGD and other major pairs. EasyMarkets offers competitive spreads starting from 0.8 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts, with no commission on most pairs. Alpari's standard account spreads begin at 1.2 pips, but its Pro account can reduce raw spreads to 0.6 pips for traders who exceed 10 standard lots per month. However, Alpari's Pro account charges a commission of $7 per lot round turn. For typical retail Singapore traders trading 1–5 lots per month, EasyMarkets provides lower overall costs due to tighter spreads and no commission. High-volume traders may find Alpari's raw pricing more economical after accounting for the commission.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Alpari |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Singapore traders value speed and reliability, especially during high-liquidity Asian sessions. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and MetaTrader 4 (MT4), both optimised for low latency. The proprietary platform includes unique features like dealCancellation and free guaranteed stop-loss, which appeal to risk-averse traders. Alpari also provides MT4 and MT5, with advanced charting and algorithmic trading capabilities. For Singapore traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom indicators, Alpari's MT5 support is a plus. However, EasyMarkets' proprietary tools give it an edge for traders who want additional risk management without leaving the platform.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Alpari |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
EasyMarkets uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with no requotes, ensuring fast order fills during volatile Asian sessions. Alpari also offers NDD execution but has occasional slippage on high-impact news. EasyMarkets' guaranteed stop-loss feature (free) is a distinct advantage for Singapore traders who want precise risk control.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor Alpari holds a Capital Markets Services licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa. Alpari is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK (for international clients). For Singapore traders, this means deposits are not covered by the SDIC, and disputes must be handled via the broker's home regulator. EasyMarkets' CySEC regulation provides negative balance protection, which is a key safety feature for retail traders. Alpari's FCA regulation offers a higher tier of oversight, but only for UK clients. Singapore traders should consider these regulatory differences when assessing fund safety.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) | Cryptocurrency / E-Wallets: Instant to 2 hours (after internal processing).Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 10 business days.Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 5 business days. |
EasyMarkets leads in local payment convenience for Singapore traders. It supports PayNow, bank transfer (local SGD), and credit/debit cards. Deposits via PayNow are processed instantly with no fees, making it ideal for quick fund top-ups. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours via bank transfer or card. Alpari accepts bank transfers and credit cards but does not offer PayNow. SGD deposits are accepted by both brokers, but Alpari's bank transfer may take 1–3 business days to reflect. For Singapore traders who value speed and zero fees, EasyMarkets is the clear winner. Both brokers have no deposit fees, but Alpari may charge a withdrawal fee for certain methods.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Singapore Muslim traders can open swap-free Islamic accounts with both brokers. EasyMarkets offers a straightforward Islamic account with no swap fees on overnight positions and no hidden charges. Alpari also provides an Islamic account, but it may impose an administrative fee if positions are held beyond a specified period (e.g., 10 days). EasyMarkets is more transparent and suitable for traders who hold positions long-term. Both brokers require a simple request via customer support to activate the account. For Singapore traders, EasyMarkets' policy is more favourable.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Singapore hotline. Response times are under 2 minutes on live chat. Alpari offers 24/5 support in English and other languages via live chat and email, but phone support is limited. For Singapore traders, EasyMarkets' faster response and local awareness give it an edge.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Alpari if you...
For Singapore traders in 2025, EasyMarkets is the better overall choice due to its local payment integration (PayNow, bank transfer, credit card), tighter spreads for retail traders, and robust risk management features like guaranteed stop-loss. Its 3.4/5 rating reflects strong usability and cost efficiency for the local market. Alpari, with a 3.1/5 score, remains a viable option for high-volume traders who prioritise raw spreads and MT5, but its lack of PayNow and slower withdrawals are drawbacks. Neither broker is MAS-licensed, so Singapore traders should trade cautiously and consider fund protection. For most traders, EasyMarkets delivers a more seamless, cost-effective trading experience tailored to Singapore's financial hub environment.