Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs Markets.com, 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.
AvaTrade and Markets.com are notable players in the online brokerage arena, each bringing unique strengths to the table. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade has established itself as a highly trusted platform with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 94. It holds 4 Tier-1 licenses, which signals a high level of safety and reliability, along with 3 Tier-2 licenses. In contrast, Markets.com, founded in 1999, is also highly trusted, boasting a Trust Score of 93. While it holds 3 Tier-1 licenses, it has fewer Tier-2 licenses, possessing only one.
Neither AvaTrade nor Markets.com is publicly traded or operates as a bank, serving a more focused clientele seeking dedicated brokerage services. Both platforms maintain favorable trust perceptions in the trading community, but AvaTrade edges slightly ahead in regulatory credentials with a stronger lineup of Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses. This distinction may appeal to traders prioritizing regulation and trust in their choice of broker.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
AvaTrade and Markets.com differ significantly in terms of commissions and fees. AvaTrade offers spreads that are generally close to the industry average, standing at just under one pip (0.9 pips as of June 2024). While these spreads are slightly higher than those found on entry-level accounts from brokers like CMC Markets and Tickmill, AvaTrade provides competitive options for professional traders, with spreads on its Professional account at 0.6 pips, aligning with brokers such as FP Markets.
Unfortunately, Markets.com does not provide accessible average spread data, making a direct comparison challenging. This lack of transparency might pose a consideration for traders concerned about clear and predictable trading costs. It's important for prospective clients to weigh this factor when choosing between the two brokers.
In terms of ratings and rankings, AvaTrade excels with a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees and holds a respectable 12th place out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com's list. Conversely, Markets.com receives a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 50th, indicating a more middle-of-the-road standing in this aspect. These differences are crucial for traders to consider when evaluating which broker aligns best with their trading needs and budget priorities.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| 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.
AvaTrade and Markets.com are both strong contenders when it comes to online trading, offering forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. While AvaTrade provides access to 1,260 tradeable symbols, Markets.com takes the lead with 2,179 symbols available. In terms of forex pairs, Markets.com also offers slightly more options with 57 pairs compared to AvaTrade's 53. It's important to note that neither platform offers the ability to trade exchange-traded securities, such as Apple shares, on U.S. or international exchanges, focusing instead on derivatives like CFDs.
Both AvaTrade and Markets.com cater to modern traders' demands with features like copy trading and access to cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. AvaTrade and Markets.com have both earned a 4-star rating for their range of investment offerings. In ForexBrokers.com's rankings for the Range of Investments category among 63 brokers, AvaTrade holds the 32nd spot, while Markets.com is slightly ahead at 29th place.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 57 |
| 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 trading platforms and tools, AvaTrade and Markets.com both offer plenty of features, but AvaTrade seems to have the edge in a few key areas. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop platforms, and web-based trading options. They also support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, as well as copy trading. However, AvaTrade further distinguishes itself by offering DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, which Markets.com does not support. In terms of charting tools, AvaTrade provides 13 drawing tools compared to Markets.com's 4, and it also allows traders to execute trades directly from a stock chart—a feature missing from Markets.com.
Looking at performance metrics, AvaTrade is rated at 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, compared to Markets.com's 4 stars. AvaTrade also ranks higher at 13th place out of 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com is positioned at 27th. Both platforms have a comprehensive approach with their offerings, but AvaTrade's additional features, such as more drawing tools and advanced trading support with DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, provide a more expansive toolkit for traders. Furthermore, watch lists on AvaTrade offer more fields with seven columns compared to Markets.com's six, providing a slightly more detailed viewpoint for tracking your favorite assets.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both AvaTrade and Markets.com offer comprehensive mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, providing essential features like stock and forex price alerts and watchlist symbol syncing across devices. AvaTrade stands out with an impressive 73 technical studies for charting, while Markets.com relies on the default offerings of the MT4 platform. Both apps allow drawing of trendlines, though AvaTrade goes a step further with the option to view multiple time frames on charts, a feature not available in Markets.com's app. While neither app auto-saves chart drawings, both allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes.
In terms of user ratings and rankings, AvaTrade secures a higher spot with 4.5 stars and a #13 rank, showcasing user satisfaction and strong performance among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Markets.com holds 4 stars and is ranked #33 in the same category, indicating a good yet not leading position in the field of mobile trading apps. This analysis suggests that while both apps meet the basic needs of mobile traders, AvaTrade offers a more feature-rich experience, potentially appealing to traders who value detailed charting tools and a broader range of time frames.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing AvaTrade and Markets.com in terms of market research amenities, both platforms deliver valuable information but with nuanced differences. AvaTrade provides forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters and features tools from Trading Central, helping traders with technical analysis. They also offer a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar to track global news events. However, they fall short on providing daily market commentary and insights from Autochartist. Rated 4 stars for research, AvaTrade ranks #34 in its category amongst 63 brokers as assessed by ForexBrokers.com.
Markets.com stands out by offering daily market commentary, which can be crucial for keeping traders informed in real time. Like AvaTrade, Markets.com delivers forex news from esteemed sources and includes a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar. However, it lacks tools from Trading Central and Autochartist. Also rated 4 stars, Markets.com ranks higher at #17 in the research category, suggesting a stronger overall offering in certain aspects. While both brokers provide essential research tools, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize real-time commentary or specific technical analysis resources.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners at AvaTrade and Markets.com, several key differences emerge. AvaTrade offers a comprehensive approach to learning with at least 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, whereas Markets.com does not meet this threshold. Both platforms provide online educational webinars for clients at least once a month, but only AvaTrade has a searchable archive of these webinars, allowing beginners to revisit past sessions at their convenience. Additionally, both brokers offer more than 10 beginner educational videos, making them accessible for those just starting in trading.
For more experienced traders seeking advanced education, both AvaTrade and Markets.com provide a solid selection of advanced educational videos. However, AvaTrade steps ahead by offering an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, a feature that Markets.com lacks. Despite both brokers receiving a similar rating of 4 stars from users, AvaTrade shines in the rankings by ForexBrokers.com, securing the #2 spot in the Education category compared to Markets.com's #34. This makes AvaTrade a more supportive choice for beginners eager to learn the ropes of trading.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 Markets.com. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 94 | 93 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both AvaTrade and Markets.com do not allow the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both provide the option to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers, AvaTrade and Markets.com both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but only AvaTrade supports PayPal, while neither provides ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 94 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 94 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill