If you are reading this article, you’re likely having trouble deciding whether Eightcap or AvaTrade is the better Forex trading platform for you. While both platforms generally provide positive user experiences, there are some essential differences.
In this Eightcap and AvaTrade review, we outline the highlights of each trading platform to help you make a more informed decision. We evaluate:
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- AvaTrade vs Eightcap - Verdict
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Headquarters | Ireland | Australia |
Regulators | ASIC, BVI, Central Bank of Ireland, FFAJ, FSCA, KNF, MiFID | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, SCB |
Tier 1 Regulator(s)? | ||
Owned by Public Company? | ||
Year Established | 2006 | 2009 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker | ECN/STP, Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
Negative Balance Protection | ||
Trading Platform(s) | Other, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Web-based+ | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Trading View |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.9 pips | 1.0 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 1.5 pips | 1.2 pips |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.03 | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.29 | $0.12 |
Retail Loss Rate | 77.82% | N/A |
Minimum Raw Spreads | Not applicable | N/A |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.9 pips | N/A |
Minimum Commission for Forex | Commission-free | $7.00 per Round Lot |
Islamic Account | ||
Signals | ||
US Persons Accepted? | ||
Managed Accounts | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Features and Platforms
Eightcap has recently upgraded its trading environment by adding Capitalise AI, delivering a competitive edge that only exists at a handful of brokers. Traders may use the out-of-the-box MT4/MT5 trading platforms, ideal for automated traders, who will also benefit from the trade execution at Eightcap. The AmazingTrader plugin for MT4 and connection to the active Trading View community offer manual traders an edge. New traders have access to in-house research and education. AvaTrade provides clients with the core MT4/MT5 alongside five proprietary trading platforms and three copy trading services. Beginner traders may access SharpTrader, the trading academy AvaTrade spun out, which remains one of the most valuable ones available, plus Trading Central.
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MT4 | ||
MT5 | ||
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons | ||
cTrader | ||
Proprietary Platform | ||
Automated Trading | ||
Social/Copy Trading | ||
DOM? | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Scalping | ||
Hedging | ||
One-Click Trading | ||
OCO Orders | ||
Interest on Margin | ||
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Available Markets
Forex traders at Eightcap get 55 currency pairs and 122 cryptocurrency CFDs, while Equity traders get 590 CFDs covering liquid stocks. 16 commodities and 17 index CFDs are also available.. AvaTrade features 55 currency pairs, 16 cryptocurrency pairs, 27 commodities, and 31 index CFDs. Equity traders get 614 CFDs and 58 ETFs, while 44 option contracts and two bonds complete the asset selection. The choice of trading instruments at AvaTrade delivers balance and caters to different trading strategies.
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Currency Pairs | ||
Cryptocurrencies | ||
Commodities | ||
Crude Oil | ||
Gold | ||
Metals | ||
Equity Indices | ||
Stocks (non-CFDs) | ||
Bonds | ||
ETFs | ||
Options | ||
Futures | ||
Synthetics | ||
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Typical Spreads and Fees
The commission-free pricing environment at Eightcap shows a minimum mark-up of 1.0 pips or $10 per 1.0 standard lot versus 0.9 pips or $9 at AvaTrade. Eightcap offers a commission-based alternative, raw spreads of 0.0 pips for a commission of $7 per round lot, the best offer between the two. Ava Trade charges a fee of 0.13% for equity trading, which remains free of costs outside of the mark-ups, making spread comparisons essential. Traders pay swap rates on leveraged overnight positions and third-party payment processor costs at both brokers.
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Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.9 pips | 1.0 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 1.5 pips | 1.2 pips |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.03 | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.29 | $0.12 |
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin | $39 | $12 |
Minimum Raw Spreads | Not applicable | N/A |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.9 pips | N/A |
Minimum Commission for Forex | Commission-free | $7.00 per Round Lot |
Deposit Fee | N/A | |
Withdrawal Fee | ||
Inactivity Fee | $50 quarterly after 3 months | No |
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Security and Trust
Eightcap has licenses from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB). It also operates from St. Vincent and the Grenadines as an unregulated but duly registered company, where most international trades will manage their portfolios. The primary regulator of AvaTrade is the Central Bank of Ireland, making it one of a rare breed of brokers with central bank oversight. It has additional licenses from the ASIC, the Abu Dhabi ADGM/FSRA, the Japanese FSA/FFAJ, the South African FSCA, the British Virgin Islands BVI, and the Canadian IIROC. Both brokers have a clean record, segregate client deposits from corporate funds, and negative balance protection exists per regulatory requirements.
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Country of the Regulator | United Arab Emirates, Australia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, British Virgin Islands, South Africa | Australia, The Bahamas, Cyprus, United Kingdom |
Name of the Regulator | ASIC, BVI, Central Bank of Ireland, FFAJ, FSCA, KNF, MiFID | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, SCB |
Regulatory License Number | C53877, SIBA/L/13/1049, 406684, 45984, 1662, 190018, 514666577 | 391441, 40377, 246/14, 921296 |
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AvaTrade vs Eightcap – Verdict
Eightcap provides traders with the core MT4/MT5 trading platforms, upgraded via the Amazing Trader plugin and the active TradingView community. The recent Capitalise AI addition elevated the trading environment to a degree of competitiveness, rivaling the best brokers. Trade execution at Eightcap remains competitive, and the commission-based cost structure is acceptable, but a volume-based rebate program is lacking. Completing the product and services portfolio are quality in-house research and education. AvaTrade delivers a competitive choice of seven trading platforms and three third-party copy trading services. The balanced selection of trading instruments supports all traders and trading strategies, but the pricing environment remains elevated. The education academy SharpTrader presents a quality service for new traders, together with the Trading Central plugin. AvaTrade remains overall the better broker.
You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:
- Eightcap vs Purple Trading
- Eightcap vs Tickmill
- Eightcap vs eToro
- AvaTrade vs LegacyFX
- AvaTrade vs Admiral Markets
- AvaTrade vs Coinbase
FAQs
Is Eightcap or AvaTrade safer for Forex and CFDs trading?
Both brokers have a clean record with their regulators. AvaTrade has oversight from more regulators, but both brokers remain well-respected, trustworthy safe brokers.
Which is better, Eightcap or AvaTrade?
AvaTrade offers clients better trading platform choices and a superior asset selection with higher-quality education. Eightcap features better pricing and Capitalise AI, which provides a distinct competitive edge. Overall, AvaTrade remains the better choice for most traders.
What are the minimum deposits for these brokers?
The minimum deposit at both brokers is $100, an average level but above that of the most competitive deposit structures.
Does Eightcap or AvaTrade offer lower pricing?
The commission-based Forex pricing environment remains high at both brokers but lower at AvaTrade. Eightcap provides a commission-based alternative, delivering overall lower pricing. Regrettably, a volume-based rebate program is missing, as available at most brokers with commissions.