If you are reading this article, you’re likely having trouble deciding whether AvaTrade or Forex.com is the better Forex trading platform for you. While both platforms generally provide positive user experiences, there are some essential differences to note.
In this AvaTrade vs Forex.com 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 Forex.com - Verdict
Ireland United States ASIC, BVI, Central Bank of Ireland, FFAJ, FSCA, KNF, MiFID ASIC, CFTC, CIMA, CySEC, FCA, FSA, IIROC, NFA 2006 2001 Market Maker Market Maker $100 $100 Other, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Web-based+ MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Trading View 0.9 pips 1.1 pips 1.5 pips 1.3 pips $0.03 $0.035 $0.29 $0.63 77.82% 73.00% Not applicable 0.0 pips 0.9 pips 0.8 pips Commission-free $5 per $100K Visit Website Visit Website
Features and Platforms
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AvaTrade, headquartered in Ireland, established itself as a market leader since launching in 2006. Today it caters to more than 300,000 clients, of which 72% of retail traders operate at a loss. The figure places AvaTrade in the top third compared to all brokers, and its excellent educational unit SharpTrader plays a defining role in this regard. A total of eight trading platform and an above-average asset selection exceeding 1,250 instruments add to the success of AvaTrade. Forex.com has catered to traders since 2001 and is the largest MetaTrader broker as of April 2019. Owned by Gain Capital, acquired by publicly listed StoneX, it provides traders with MT4 together with its cutting-edge proprietary Advanced Trading Platform, featuring advanced charting tools, which is superior to the competitive AvaTrade WebTrader. 74% of Forex.com retail traders operate at a loss.
Available Markets
N/A N/A N/A Visit Website Visit Website
Forex.com offers 84 currency pairs, allowing pure Forex traders excellent market coverage, placing this broker in the top 20 globally. AvaTrade only maintains 55 currency pairs but takes a leadership position across all other sectors. Forex.com adds 18 commodities, 18 index CFDs, and eight cryptocurrencies. Traders at AvaTrade have 24, 26, and fourteen, respectively, available, granting more opportunities. With more than 1,000 equity CFDs and ETFs at AvaTrade versus just 69 equity CFDs at Forex.com, the former allows more in-depth cross-asset diversification, further enhanced via 42 options contracts. Forex.com excels for pure Forex traders, but most will find the overall asset selection at AvaTrade more suitable.
Typical Spreads and Fees
0.9 pips 1.1 pips 1.5 pips 1.3 pips $0.03 $0.035 $0.29 $0.63 $39 $60 Not applicable 0.0 pips 0.9 pips 0.8 pips Commission-free $5 per $100K $50 quarterly after 3 months $15 monthly after 12 months Visit Website Visit Website
AvaTrade maintains a competitive edge with its commission-free trading account versus the same at Forex.com. Spreads at the former commence at an above-average 0.9 pips, while the latter advertises 0.8 pips but generally offers above 1.1 pips. Forex.com has a commission-based direct market access (DMA) account, where mark-ups drop to 0.1 pips for a commission of $60 per $1,000,000 in nominal trading volume or $6 per lot. High-frequency traders may lower it to $20. Swap rates on leveraged overnight positions apply at AvaTrade and Forex.com alike, but AvaTrade charges a $50 monthly inactivity fee after three months versus $15 after twelve months at Forex.com. Traders must also consider third-party payment processor costs which are applied by both brokers.
Security and Trust
United Arab Emirates, Australia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, British Virgin Islands, South Africa Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Japan, Cayman Islands, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States ASIC, BVI, Central Bank of Ireland, FFAJ, FSCA, KNF, MiFID ASIC, CFTC, CIMA, CySEC, FCA, FSA, IIROC, NFA C53877, SIBA/L/13/1049, 406684, 45984, 1662, 190018, 514666577 0339826,291, Undisclosed, 446717, 400/21, 25033, 345646, Undisclosed Visit Website Visit Website
While both brokers present traders with a secure trading environment, AvaTrade remains the more trustworthy entity after Forex.com became part of the StoneX corporate umbrella. Despite being a well-capitalized and publicly listed company in the US, StoneX has a history of misconduct and regulatory fines. AvaTrade maintains a clean regulatory track record with seven regulators, including the Central Bank of Ireland, making it a rare broker with direct oversight by a central bank. Client deposits remain segregated at AvaTrade and Forex.com alike, and an investor compensation fund exists where mandated. Both brokers maintain transparency, but given the corporate shadow of Forex.com, AvaTrade presents itself as the more trustworthy operational choice.
AvaTrade vs Forex.com – Verdict
Forex.com remains a competitive choice for pure Forex traders who seek limited cross-asset diversification from a commission-based DMA account. The proprietary Advanced Trading Platform allows clients to manage portfolios from a competitive MT4 alternative, which is also available at Forex.com. A well-thought-through educational section split into seven themes offers new retail traders an excellent service and adds to the quality of Forex.com. Clients should monitor developments following the acquisition of Forex.com owner Gain Capital by StoneX due to misconduct and regulatory fines accumulated by StoneX under various names over the past decade. AvaTrade executes its business model well and provides an excellent asset selection and trading platform choice, suitable for all retail traders. New clients must start at SharpTrader, the spun-out unit of AvaTrade dedicated to education, where over 40 courses and 200 videos ensure a superior package. The commission-free trading environment keeps trading costs balanced, and AvaTrade maintains an overall more competitive trading environment over Forex.com, which enjoys a market-leading position for Forex traders only.
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