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 |
Comparing commissions and fees for AvaTrade vs Markets.com, AvaTrade lists typical spreads just under one pip—about 0.9 pips as of June 2024—placing it around the industry average. That’s slightly higher than the entry-level spreads you might find at CMC Markets and Tickmill. If you qualify as a professional trader, AvaTrade’s Professional account offers about 0.6‑pip spreads, comparable to FP Markets.
Markets.com does not provide average spread data, which makes it harder to gauge everyday trading costs. This lack of published averages can make budgeting for forex or CFD trades less straightforward than with brokers that share clear figures.
Ratings back up the difference: AvaTrade scores 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers, while Markets.com holds 3.5/5 stars and ranks #51 out of 63. If transparent, competitive spreads are a priority—especially for professionals—AvaTrade has the edge in this matchup.
| 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 both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts. When it comes to choice, Markets.com lists 2,179 tradeable symbols and 57 currency pairs, while AvaTrade offers 1,260 symbols and 53 pairs. If your priority is a wider instrument list, Markets.com has a modest edge.
Neither broker lets you buy real, exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international exchanges; stock exposure is through CFDs. Both support copy trading. For crypto, neither broker provides direct ownership, but each offers cryptocurrency derivatives. For Range of Investments, both earn 4 out of 5 stars; in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, Markets.com places 30th out of 63 brokers and AvaTrade ranks 33rd.
| 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.
AvaTrade and Markets.com both offer iPhone and Android apps with real-time watchlists, price alerts, and watchlist syncing between mobile and web. Each app lets you draw trendlines, though neither auto-saves drawings. Charting depth differs: AvaTrade includes 73 technical studies and supports multiple time frames (intraday, daily, weekly, etc.). Markets.com’s own app does not include built-in studies and does not support multiple time frames; traders who need indicators can use the MT4 platform, which provides its default set.
For mobile ratings, AvaTrade earns 4.5 stars and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com scores 4 stars and ranks #34. In short, AvaTrade’s app suits traders who want richer charting and time-frame flexibility, whereas Markets.com fits users who prioritize alerts and synced watchlists and are comfortable using MT4 for indicators.
| 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.
AvaTrade and Markets.com both earn 4 stars for market research, but Markets.com holds the higher category ranking (#17 vs. AvaTrade’s #35) on ForexBrokers.com. The biggest day‑to‑day difference is commentary: Markets.com publishes daily market commentary, while AvaTrade does not. Both brokers stream forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, helping traders follow major headlines and data releases.
When it comes to tools, AvaTrade includes Trading Central analysis, whereas Markets.com does not. Both brokers offer a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long and short positions, plus an economic calendar for upcoming events. Neither broker provides Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools. If you want daily in-house commentary, Markets.com is the better fit; if you prefer Trading Central insights, AvaTrade stands out. Otherwise, their news feeds, sentiment data, and calendars are comparable for everyday research needs.
| 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 |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 93 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
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| 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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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) |
| 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 | ||
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
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