Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs LegacyFX, 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.
When it comes to selecting an online broker, understanding their trustworthiness and regulatory standing is crucial. AvaTrade, established in 2006, holds an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 94, marking it as highly trusted. This broker holds four Tier-1 licenses, which indicates a high level of reliability. In addition, AvaTrade also possesses three Tier-2 licenses, further reinforcing its trusted status in the financial landscape. Although not a publicly traded company or a bank, AvaTrade's stellar regulatory backing can provide clients with a sense of assurance.
On the other hand, LegacyFX, founded in 2012, carries a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 67, placing it in the high-risk category. This broker only holds one Tier-1 license and does not possess any Tier-2 licenses, which might raise some concerns regarding its trust level. Similar to AvaTrade, LegacyFX is neither publicly traded nor a bank. Potential clients should carefully consider these regulatory differences when comparing the two brokers, as AvaTrade appears to offer more comprehensive protection through its licenses and trust score.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing AvaTrade and LegacyFX in terms of commissions and fees, AvaTrade offers spreads that are close to the industry average at just under one pip (0.9 pips as of June 2024). Although these spreads are slightly higher than those found in entry-level accounts of brokers like CMC Markets and Tickmill, AvaTrade performs well in the competitive landscape for professional traders. AvaTrade's Professional account provides spreads of 0.6 pips, making it a strong contender against similar accounts from brokers such as FP Markets. AvaTrade earns a 4.5-star rating and ranks 12th out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
LegacyFX, on the other hand, presents a varied structure in terms of accounts and related costs. The broker’s offering varies between its EU entity regulated by CySEC and its international entity based in Vanuatu, yet lacks average spread data, making it harder to accurately gauge trading costs. EU-based clients can choose from Silver, Gold, and Platinum accounts, with higher spreads for the lower tier Silver account, starting at 1.6 pips for EUR/USD. International clients have access to a broader range of seven account types, and while LegacyFX offers additional client support and trading tools, the associated costs vary significantly based on the chosen account type.
Overall, LegacyFX receives a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 57th out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com. While offering a broad selection of account structures, it does not achieve the same cost-effectiveness as noted with AvaTrade. Choosing between the two will largely depend on individual preferences related to account features and acceptable trading expenses.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments available through AvaTrade and LegacyFX, there are distinct differences worth noting. AvaTrade offers a broader selection with 1,260 tradeable symbols, including 53 forex pairs. LegacyFX, on the other hand, provides access to 425 tradeable symbols, featuring 44 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs but do not offer exchange-traded securities from either U.S. or international exchanges. Cryptocurrency enthusiasts will find that neither platform supports purchasing actual cryptocurrencies; however, both do offer trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. Additionally, AvaTrade and LegacyFX both feature copy trading, adding a layer of social trading for interested users.
Overall, AvaTrade seems to have a slight edge in terms of investment variety, receiving a 4-star rating for Range of Investments and securing the #32 spot out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. LegacyFX, while still offering a competitive array of options, holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks at #48 for Range of Investments by the same source. Investors seeking a wider variety of tradeable assets might lean towards AvaTrade, while those focusing on specific instruments may find either platform suitable depending on their specific needs.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 425 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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.
When comparing AvaTrade and LegacyFX for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide useful features for traders. AvaTrade stands out by offering a proprietary trading platform in addition to popular third-party software such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. LegacyFX, on the other hand, does not have a proprietary platform and supports only MetaTrader 5. Both brokers offer Windows-based and web-based trading platforms, as well as copy trading features. AvaTrade further differentiates itself by incorporating DupliTrade and ZuluTrade into its suite of tools, which are not available with LegacyFX.
For charting, both AvaTrade and LegacyFX enable trading directly from stock charts, although LegacyFX offers two more drawing tools than AvaTrade. Each broker provides seven columns for watch lists, ensuring a streamlined approach to tracking investments. Both platforms offer free virtual demo accounts to simulate trading strategies. Rated 4.5 stars by ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade is ranked #13 out of 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category. LegacyFX, while still a reliable choice, holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #60. Ultimately, AvaTrade provides a more expansive toolset, appealing to both novice and seasoned traders.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
AvaTrade and LegacyFX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, complete with stock and forex price alerts. While both platforms allow for drawing trendlines and providing access to different time frames on charts, AvaTrade stands out with a larger selection of technical studies—boasting 73 compared to LegacyFX's 30. Additionally, AvaTrade provides watchlist symbol syncing, enabling seamless integration between the mobile app and the client's online account, a feature LegacyFX lacks. However, LegacyFX excels with auto-saving drawings on charts, whereas AvaTrade does not offer this functionality.
In terms of real-time quotes and watchlist creation, both apps are equally competent. However, when it comes to user ratings and industry rankings, AvaTrade leads with 4.5 stars and a rank of 13 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while LegacyFX sits at 3.5 stars and ranks 61 in the same category. These distinctions highlight AvaTrade as the more popular choice among traders looking for a feature-rich mobile trading experience. For those valuing watchlist synchronization and a broader range of analytical tools, AvaTrade is the preferred option, whereas LegacyFX might appeal to users who prioritize drawing retention on charts.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
In comparing the research features of AvaTrade and LegacyFX, both brokers have their strengths and drawbacks for traders. AvaTrade stands out with its provision of forex news from premium sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, as well as support for Trading Central analytics, which offers technical insights. It also provides a sentiment-based trading tool that helps traders gauge market sentiment across currency pairs. Additionally, AvaTrade includes an economic calendar to keep traders updated on key global events. However, it lacks daily market commentary and tools from Autochartist, and it does not offer research resources from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
LegacyFX, on the other hand, offers daily market commentary and includes technical analysis tools from Autochartist, enhancing its value for traders who rely on these resources for their strategies. Like AvaTrade, LegacyFX provides an economic calendar and access to top-tier news like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, it does not offer Trading Central analytics or sentiment-based tools, which might limit traders looking for such features. Despite these differences, both brokers provide useful research tools but AvaTrade inches ahead with a higher research rating of 4 stars and a better ranking on ForexBrokers.com, where it is positioned 34th compared to LegacyFX’s 46th place.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners seeking educational resources in the trading realm, both AvaTrade and LegacyFX present appealing options. AvaTrade provides an extensive range of materials, including a minimum of 10 educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs. This is complemented by monthly online webinars and a searchable archive of past sessions, which greatly aid in grasping trading concepts. Beginners will appreciate the broad selection of beginner-oriented videos offered by AvaTrade, in addition to an investor dictionary comprising over 50 investing terms for easy reference. AvaTrade’s commitment to education has earned it a 4-star rating and a commendable rank of #2 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
LegacyFX, on the other hand, also delivers a substantial educational experience with at least 10 educational materials on forex or CFDs and regular client webinars. These webinars, too, are part of a searchable archive, allowing users to learn at their own pace. The platform offers a series of introductory videos tailored for novice traders, supported by an informative investor dictionary having 50+ definitions. While LegacyFX holds a slightly lower education rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked #35, it still stands as a solid choice for those starting out in trading, ensuring access to essential learning resources necessary for building a strong trading foundation.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that AvaTrade is better than LegacyFX. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while LegacyFX finished with an overall rank of #63.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, as well as exceptional educational content that helped it nab Best in Class honors for Beginners in the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 67 |
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When comparing online brokers, both AvaTrade and LegacyFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies but do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers AvaTrade and LegacyFX, AvaTrade stands out by offering PayPal as a funding option, a feature LegacyFX lacks, while both platforms support Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transactions; neither broker provides ACH or SEPA transfer options for deposits or withdrawals.
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 | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | LegacyFX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 67 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 425 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | AvaTrade Review | LegacyFX Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | LegacyFX | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | LegacyFX Review |
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