Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs AvaTrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
FOREX.com and AvaTrade are both well-known online brokers, but FOREX.com comes out ahead on trust and regulation. FOREX.com was founded in 1999, is publicly traded, and holds 7 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, which helps explain its top ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99. AvaTrade, founded in 2006, is not publicly traded and is not a bank, but it still scores highly with 4 Tier-1 licenses and 4 Tier-2 licenses, plus a Trust Score of 96.
For traders comparing broker safety, both firms are considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, but FOREX.com has the edge because of its longer track record, public listing, and larger number of top-tier licenses. AvaTrade remains a strong option as well, with solid regulation and a strong Trust Score, though it does not match FOREX.com’s overall standing in this comparison.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 4 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
FOREX.com and AvaTrade both score well for commissions and fees, with each broker earning 4.5 out of 5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, FOREX.com places #15 out of 36 brokers for the Commissions and Fees category, while AvaTrade edges slightly ahead at #14 out of 36. The main difference is in how each broker prices trades: FOREX.com gives traders a choice between spread-only and commission-based pricing, while AvaTrade mainly stands out for having spreads that sit close to the industry average.
FOREX.com can be a bit more expensive than average in some cases, especially on its Standard account in the U.S., where the EUR/USD spread averaged 1.4 pips. Its RAW account is more competitive, with typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.13 pips plus commission, and it also offers volume-based rebates for active traders. For very high-volume traders, these lower costs can become much more attractive, but for many everyday U.S. traders, the all-in cost may end up close to the Standard account once commission is added.
AvaTrade’s pricing is simpler, with average spreads of about 0.9 pips as of June 2024, which is near the market average but a little higher than some low-cost competitors. Traders who qualify as professionals may get access to tighter spreads of around 0.6 pips. In short, FOREX.com may suit traders who want more pricing options and active-trader discounts, while AvaTrade may appeal to those who prefer straightforward costs with average spreads.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.61 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, FOREX.com gives traders more choice than AvaTrade. Both brokers offer forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, and both support cryptocurrency CFDs. However, FOREX.com stands out with about 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, compared with AvaTrade’s 1,260 symbols and 53 forex pairs. FOREX.com also lets clients buy actual shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, while AvaTrade does not offer exchange-traded securities.
AvaTrade does have one feature FOREX.com does not: copy trading. But for overall market access, FOREX.com is the stronger pick for investors who want a wider selection of assets. That is reflected in its 5-star Range of Investments score and #6 ranking out of 36 brokers, while AvaTrade earns 4 stars and ranks #26 in the same category.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 53 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
FOREX.com and AvaTrade both give traders a wide range of platform choices, including a free demo account, their own in-house platform, web-based trading, Windows desktop downloads, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5. Each also lets users place trades directly from charts, making it easier to act on market moves without switching screens. In terms of core trading tools, the two brokers are closely matched, so many traders will find either one comfortable to use for day-to-day trading.
The biggest difference is copy trading, which AvaTrade offers but FOREX.com does not. FOREX.com, however, earns a slightly stronger edge overall in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, with a 5-star rating and a #5 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with AvaTrade’s 4.5-star rating and #13 ranking. For traders who want a broker with more platform-focused recognition, FOREX.com has the lead, while AvaTrade may appeal more to those looking for copy trading alongside the same major platform options.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 80 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FOREX.com and AvaTrade both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts and watchlist syncing between the app and online account. Each app also lets users draw trendlines on charts, making it easier to track market moves on the go. For traders who want a similar mobile experience on either phone type, both brokers cover the basics well.
Where FOREX.com stands out is in charting and overall mobile app quality. Its app includes 90 technical studies, compared with 73 at AvaTrade, and it also auto-saves chart drawings, which AvaTrade does not. These differences help explain why FOREX.com earns a 5-star Mobile Trading Apps rating and ranks #2 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while AvaTrade holds a 4.5-star rating and ranks #13 out of 36.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, FOREX.com and AvaTrade both give traders access to forex news from top sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus Trading Central tools, sentiment data, and an economic calendar. Neither broker offers Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading research tools. The main difference is that FOREX.com also provides daily market commentary, while AvaTrade does not, which may give FOREX.com an edge for traders who want more frequent updates and insight.
Overall, FOREX.com appears stronger in this area, with a 5-star Research rating and a #7 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com. AvaTrade is still a solid choice for market research, but it trails behind with a 4-star rating and a #28 ranking. For traders comparing online brokers, FOREX.com stands out as the better pick for research coverage and day-to-day market commentary.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to learn the basics of forex and CFD trading, both FOREX.com and AvaTrade offer a wide range of helpful education. Each broker provides at least 10 learning pieces focused on forex or CFDs, monthly client webinars, and more than 10 beginner videos, along with more advanced videos for experienced traders. That means either platform can give new traders plenty of material to build confidence and learn how trading works.
When it comes to overall education quality, AvaTrade edges ahead in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, placing #2 out of 36 brokers, while FOREX.com ranks #4. Still, FOREX.com earns a 5-star Education rating compared with AvaTrade’s 4 stars, so both brokers stand out as strong choices for beginner-friendly learning resources. If you want a broker with plenty of forex and CFD education, webinars, and video lessons, either one is a solid option.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FOREX.com is better than AvaTrade. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #4, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #15.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
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AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
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In the FOREX.com vs AvaTrade comparison, neither broker offers buying actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
In the FOREX.com vs AvaTrade deposits and withdrawals comparison, FOREX.com supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers, whereas AvaTrade supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 4 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.61 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 80 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | AvaTrade Review |
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