Alpha Capital Markets
lightspeed
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
Alpha Capital Markets was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in UK, while lightspeed was established in 2014 and is based in USA. Alpha Capital Markets holds licences including Unregulated, while lightspeed is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Alpha Capital Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; lightspeed has 142,500+. The minimum deposit is $0 at Alpha Capital Markets and $250 at lightspeed.
| Feature | Alpha Capital Markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $250 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F269 |
| Founded | 1999 | 2014 |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 142,500+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Alpha Capital Markets and lightspeed, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Alpha Capital Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $0 (vs $250 at lightspeed). lightspeed charges withdrawal fees while Alpha Capital Markets does not, giving Alpha Capital Markets an edge for frequent withdrawers. Both brokers charge inactivity fees on dormant accounts, worth noting if you trade infrequently. Overall, Alpha Capital Markets scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Alpha Capital Markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Alpha Capital Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while lightspeed supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Alpha Capital Markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Metatrader 4 - desktop, iOS and Android versions available. | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Alpha Capital Markets and lightspeed compare. lightspeed runs regular live webinars; Alpha Capital Markets does not. Both provide video tutorials. lightspeed publishes daily market commentary; Alpha Capital Markets does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. lightspeed maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. lightspeed scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Alpha Capital Markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Alpha Capital Markets accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while lightspeed supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). lightspeed uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. lightspeed scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Alpha Capital Markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Alpha Capital Markets and lightspeed offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Alpha Capital Markets supports 2 languages and lightspeed supports 8, giving lightspeed broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Alpha Capital Markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |