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 |
AvaTrade generally offers lower typical trading costs than OANDA for forex. As of June 2024, AvaTrade’s average spread is about 0.9 pips (near the industry average), while OANDA’s average non-core EUR/USD spread was 1.61 pips in July 2024. Ratings and rankings reflect this gap: AvaTrade earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #13 of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees, whereas OANDA earns 4/5 stars and ranks #35 of 63.
OANDA’s default pricing has higher effective spreads, but its “core pricing” plan can trim costs. Core pricing adds a commission of $5 per side per $100,000 traded (about $10 per round turn) and requires a $10,000 minimum deposit. Example: if default EUR/USD is 1.6 pips and core pricing is 0.4 pips, adding the commission (about 1.0 pip total) puts the all-in cost around 1.4 pips—slightly cheaper than default. OANDA also allows ultra-small trade sizes down to 1 unit, offers volume rebates of $5–$17 per million for high-volume traders (10M+), and publishes trailing average spreads (though not fixed-period averages, which can make comparisons tricky).
AvaTrade’s standard spreads sit at roughly 0.9 pips and are a touch higher than what some entry-level accounts at CMC Markets and Tickmill offer. If you qualify as a professional client, AvaTrade’s Professional account advertises spreads around 0.6 pips, comparable to FP Markets. For many retail traders, this pricing makes AvaTrade the cheaper pick versus OANDA on typical forex pairs, while professionals may see additional savings on the pro tier.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.69 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 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 vs AvaTrade: both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and both offer copy trading. OANDA lists 4,172 tradeable symbols with 69 forex pairs, while AvaTrade offers 1,260 symbols and 53 forex pairs.
Stock access differs. OANDA lets clients buy exchange-traded securities (not CFDs) on U.S. and international exchanges, whereas AvaTrade does not offer direct share dealing. In crypto, OANDA supports both delivered cryptocurrencies and crypto derivatives; AvaTrade offers crypto derivatives only. According to ForexBrokers.com, both earn 4 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments, with OANDA ranked 28th out of 63 brokers and AvaTrade 33rd.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
OANDA and AvaTrade both provide traders with comprehensive trading platforms and tools, making them appealing options for both new and experienced investors. Each broker offers a simulated trading account, allowing users to practice their skills in a risk-free environment. Both OANDA and AvaTrade have proprietary platforms designed to enhance user experience, and feature Windows-based desktop downloads as well as browser-based platforms for seamless access. For traders who appreciate the versatility of MetaTrader, both platforms support MetaTrader 4 and 5. Copy trading is also available with each, although AvaTrade expands its social trading offerings with access to DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, features not available with OANDA.
When it comes to charting and analysis tools, OANDA distinguishes itself with 74 drawing tools compared to AvaTrade's 13. Yet, AvaTrade supports its users with more watchlist columns. Traders can execute trades directly from stock charts on both platforms, enhancing efficiency. Both OANDA and AvaTrade receive high ratings for their trading platforms and tools, though AvaTrade secures a slightly higher rating with 4.5 stars, compared to OANDA's 4-star rating. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade claims the 13th spot, narrowly outperforming OANDA, which sits at 15th place among 63 brokers, highlighting subtle distinctions in their offerings.
| 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) | 89 | 80 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 74 | 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.
Comparing market research at OANDA and AvaTrade: OANDA publishes daily market commentary, while AvaTrade does not. Both brokers deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters. OANDA includes Autochartist tools, whereas AvaTrade offers Trading Central instead. Each broker provides a sentiment tool showing the ratio of long vs. short positions and an economic calendar. Neither uses TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
For overall research quality, OANDA is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. AvaTrade earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #35. Choose OANDA if you value daily commentary and Autochartist; pick AvaTrade if you prefer Trading Central’s analysis.
| 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.
OANDA and AvaTrade both deliver wide-ranging beginner education for forex and CFD trading. Each offers more than ten pieces of learning content—articles, videos, and archived webinars—centered on forex/CFDs. Both host at least one live client webinar every month and maintain a searchable webinar archive. They also provide at least 10 beginner video lessons and 10 advanced videos, plus an investor dictionary with 50+ trading terms. This makes either platform a practical starting point for new traders who want step-by-step guidance and on-demand study options.
How do they stack up on recognition? OANDA’s education earns a 5-star score, while AvaTrade’s receives 4 stars. Yet in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category rankings out of 63 brokers, OANDA places #19 and AvaTrade ranks #2. If you’re drawn to the highest star rating, OANDA stands out. If you prefer a broker that sits near the top of industry rankings, AvaTrade has the edge. Either way, both brokers give beginners plenty of videos, webinars, and glossary support to build confidence.
| 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
|
|---|---|---|
| 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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0 of 5| Overall Rating | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
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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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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) |
| Investments | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | 1.69 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 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) | 89 | 80 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 74 | 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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