Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italy retail traders looking to trade forex and CFDs, choosing between InvestoPro and Alpari is a key decision. InvestoPro, with a score of 3.8/5, stands out for its low-cost trading environment, support for local payment methods like SEPA and PostePay, and robust regulation. Alpari, scoring 3.1/5, is a well-known brand but falls short in terms of spreads, local payment options, and regulatory strength. Italy traders face specific challenges, including the need for EUR-denominated accounts, fast SEPA transfers, and compliance with MiFID II rules. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Italian traders: trading costs, deposit convenience, and safety under CONSOB oversight. Whether you are a beginner or an active trader, understanding these differences will help you pick the right broker.
| Instrument | InvestoPro | 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 | $0 | $30 | InvestoPro |
InvestoPro offers significantly lower trading costs for Italy traders, with spreads starting at 0.0 pips on EUR/USD and a commission of $3.50 per lot. Alpari’s spreads are higher, typically starting from 1.2 pips with no commission on standard accounts. For a Italy trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, InvestoPro’s cost is around $35, compared to $120 at Alpari. Over a year, this difference of over $1,000 makes InvestoPro the more cost-effective choice for frequent traders.
| Account Type | InvestoPro | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $30 |
| Entity / Asset | InvestoPro | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | InvestoPro | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | InvestoPro |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | InvestoPro |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | InvestoPro |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Alpari |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | InvestoPro | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Italy traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. InvestoPro also provides a proprietary web platform with Italian language support, while Alpari’s platform selection is limited to MT4/MT5. For Italy traders who value local language support and ease of use, InvestoPro’s additional platform options are a plus.
| Factor | InvestoPro | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Alpari |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | InvestoPro |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
InvestoPro offers ECN execution with no requotes and average execution speed under 50 milliseconds, ideal for scalpers and day traders. Alpari uses market execution with occasional slippage during volatile periods. For Italy traders who need fast, reliable execution, InvestoPro is the better option.
| Safety Factor | InvestoPro | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
InvestoPro is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and complies with MiFID II standards, offering client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Alpari is also regulated but under a less strict framework. For Italy traders, CONSOB does not directly regulate either broker, but InvestoPro’s stronger regulatory status provides greater peace of mind. Both brokers must follow EU rules to serve Italian clients, but InvestoPro’s oversight is more comprehensive.
| Payment Method | InvestoPro | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days | 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. |
For Italy traders, depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward with both brokers. InvestoPro supports SEPA bank transfers, standard bank transfers, and PostePay, all in EUR with no deposit fees. Withdrawals via SEPA are processed within 1-2 business days. Alpari also accepts SEPA and bank transfers but does not support PostePay, which is a popular payment method in Italy. This makes InvestoPro more convenient for Italian users who rely on PostePay. Both brokers process withdrawals quickly, but InvestoPro’s wider range of local options gives it an edge.
| Islamic Account Feature | InvestoPro | 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 |
InvestoPro offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Italy Muslim traders, allowing them to trade without paying or receiving overnight interest, in line with Sharia law. Alpari does not provide Islamic accounts, which limits options for Muslim traders in Italy. If a swap-free account is important to you, InvestoPro is the clear choice.
| Support Feature | InvestoPro | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | InvestoPro |
InvestoPro provides 24/5 customer support in Italian via live chat, email, and phone, with quick response times. Alpari offers support in English and other languages but lacks dedicated Italian support. For Italy traders, InvestoPro’s native language assistance is a significant advantage.
| Mobile Feature | InvestoPro | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | InvestoPro |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | InvestoPro |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | InvestoPro | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | InvestoPro |
Choose InvestoPro if you...
Choose Alpari if you...
For Italy retail traders, InvestoPro is the superior choice over Alpari in 2025. Its lower spreads, support for SEPA and PostePay deposits, strong regulation, and Italian-language support make it a better fit for local needs. Alpari lags behind in cost, payment options, and regulatory strength. While Alpari may suit beginners seeking simplicity, InvestoPro offers more value and convenience for most Italian traders. If you prioritize low costs, local payment methods, and safety, InvestoPro is the recommended broker.