Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA 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.
OANDA and AvaTrade are well-recognized online brokers with a strong presence in the financial market. Founded in 1996, OANDA has established itself as a trusted entity, holding seven Tier-1 licenses. This reflects its commitment to maintaining high regulatory standards. AvaTrade, founded in 2006, also shows a substantial level of trustworthiness with four Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers are not publicly traded and do not operate as banks, focusing solely on providing comprehensive trading services.
When considering trust scores, OANDA has earned a highly respectable rating of 93 out of 99, indicating a strong level of security and reliability. AvaTrade slightly surpasses this with a score of 94 out of 99, showcasing its dedication to maintaining a secure trading environment. These scores suggest that both OANDA and AvaTrade are considered highly trusted brokers, offering traders a secure platform backed by solid regulatory credentials.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing online brokers OANDA and AvaTrade, their commissions and fees play a crucial role in determining value for traders. OANDA's forex trading costs are on the higher side, with significant effective spreads across both its default and core pricing options. The bid/ask spreads offered by OANDA are similar to those on platforms like FOREX.com and FxPro, though typically higher than brokers who offer sub-pip spreads. With its core pricing model, clients see reduced spreads but incur a commission of $5 per $100,000 traded, resulting in an all-in cost that can be more competitive compared to its default pricing. However, this core pricing option requires a minimum deposit of $10,000. Moreover, OANDA garners 4 out of 5 stars for its fees and ranks #34 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
AvaTrade, on the other hand, features spreads that hover close to the industry average, marking them at just under one pip. While these spreads are marginally higher than those available through entry-level accounts with peers like CMC Markets and Tickmill, AvaTrade provides attractive options for professional traders. Eligible professionals can access even more competitive spreads of 0.6 pips, on par with offerings from FP Markets. With a 4.5-star rating and a notable #12 ranking out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees, AvaTrade offers an appealing proposition to traders seeking cost savings.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | 0.61 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
OANDA and AvaTrade both offer an extensive range of investments, primarily focusing on forex trading. Both platforms allow trading forex either as CFDs or spot contracts. OANDA impresses with a vast roster of 3,928 tradeable symbols compared to AvaTrade's 1,260. When it comes to forex pairs, OANDA leads with 68 pairs, while AvaTrade provides access to 53 pairs. Despite a wide variety of trading options, neither OANDA nor AvaTrade enables trading in exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges.
Both platforms support copy trading, catering to those who wish to mirror the trades of experienced investors. However, in the cryptocurrency space, OANDA has a slight edge by allowing users to buy actual cryptocurrencies, a feature AvaTrade does not offer, although both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives. Rated four stars for their investment range, OANDA ranks 27th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, ahead of AvaTrade, which holds the 32nd position.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 the trading platforms and tools of OANDA and AvaTrade, both brokers offer an impressive range of features that cater to traders at all levels. Each provides a proprietary platform, along with popular options like MetaTrader 4 and 5. They both also offer Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based trading solutions, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for users. While both brokers allow simulated trading through free demo accounts and offer copy trading, AvaTrade distinguishes itself by supporting additional platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, which OANDA does not provide.
In terms of charting capabilities and ease of use, OANDA supports a substantial 431 drawing tools compared to AvaTrade's 13, which could appeal to technically inclined traders. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, and their watch list features are comparable, with AvaTrade offering one extra column than OANDA. Despite these differences, both brokers are recognized for their high-quality platforms, with OANDA earning a four-star rating and AvaTrade slightly edging out with 4.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade holds a slightly better ranking, positioned at #13, while OANDA is placed at #15 out of 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 81 | 80 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 13 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps offered by OANDA and AvaTrade, both provide apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility across popular platforms. Traders using either app will find stock and forex price alerts, as well as the ability to draw trendlines for enhanced chart analysis. Both platforms also allow users to view multiple time frames like daily, weekly, or intraday on charts, providing flexibility in their analysis. OANDA's app has a feature that auto-saves chart drawings, a benefit not found in AvaTrade's app.
In terms of advanced capabilities, AvaTrade excels by offering watchlist symbol syncing across devices and a broader selection of 73 technical studies versus OANDA’s 30. However, OANDA takes the lead with a perfect mobile trading app rating of 5 stars compared to AvaTrade's 4.5-star rating. Additionally, OANDA ranks higher, securing the 7th spot out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps according to ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strong standing over AvaTrade, which ranks 13th. Both apps provide real-time quotes in watchlists, but the ease of syncing symbols with AvaTrade may appeal more to those who frequently switch between devices.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When choosing between OANDA and AvaTrade for market research, distinct differences highlight what each broker brings to the table. OANDA excels with daily market commentary, providing crucial insights for traders looking to stay updated. They also deliver forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring you're informed with the latest market movements. OANDA further impresses with technical analysis tools from Autochartist and provides a helpful sentiment-based trading tool to gauge market sentiment across various currency pairs. They also offer an easy-to-use economic calendar to keep track of global financial events. In contrast, AvaTrade stands out with its integration of Trading Central tools, providing valuable technical insights. Like OANDA, AvaTrade includes a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar, keeping traders informed on market dynamics. However, it lacks daily commentary and Autochartist tools, creating a slightly different research experience.
Rated 5 stars for research, OANDA ranks impressively at #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strong market research capabilities. Meanwhile, AvaTrade follows closely behind with a respectable 4-star rating, yet its ranking of #34 signifies there's room for growth in its research offerings. Both brokers provide unique advantages, but your choice may depend on whether daily insights or specific analytical tools align best with your trading needs. Whether you prioritize comprehensive news coverage and ongoing market commentary or favor specialized technical tools, both OANDA and AvaTrade offer valuable resources for informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 offerings of online brokers OANDA and AvaTrade for beginners, both brokers provide a substantial foundation. Each offers a minimum of ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs, ensuring newcomers have plenty of resources to build their knowledge. Both OANDA and AvaTrade also host online educational webinars at least once a month, accompanied by searchable archives of past sessions. Beginners can find a wealth of video content tailored specifically for them with more than ten beginner-focused educational videos available from each broker. This comprehensive approach helps new traders grasp essential concepts and techniques effectively.
OANDA and AvaTrade also cater to more advanced traders, providing at least ten educational videos aimed at more experienced individuals. Additionally, both brokers include an investor dictionary featuring definitions for over 50 investing terms, further boosting the educational experience. While both platforms offer extensive resources, OANDA is rated five stars for education and holds the 22nd rank in the education category according to ForexBrokers.com, while AvaTrade holds a four-star rating but secures a notable second-place ranking. This comparison shows that both brokers are committed to enriching their users' educational journey, with minor differences in their perceived excellence.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 OANDA is better than AvaTrade. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
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AvaTrade
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 94 |
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OANDA allows users to buy actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas AvaTrade only provides options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives without offering the delivery of actual cryptocurrencies.
OANDA provides a broader range of fund transfer options, including ACH and SEPA, along with PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas AvaTrade supports fund transfers via PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH and SEPA transfer capabilities.
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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| Trust Score | 93 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | AvaTrade Review |
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| Regulation | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 94 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | 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) | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | 0.61 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 81 | 80 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 13 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | OANDA Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | AvaTrade Review |
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