Two brokers clash over regulation breadth, platform choice, and pricing. The showdown contrasts AvaTrade's multi-jurisdiction oversight with ACY Securities' broad instrument access.
AvaTrade wins on the editorial score, 4.4 vs 4.0 for ACY Securities. It benefits from broader regulator coverage and more platform options.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want a $50 minimum deposit and raw ECN spreads from 0 pips with $7 per lot.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you prefer a proprietary platform ecosystem and spreads from 0.9 pips.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ACY Securities offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.90 pips for AvaTrade, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
Pros
2,200+ instruments including share CFDs and ETF CFDs
TradingView integration for browser-based chart execution
ASIC regulated with Tier 1 investor protections
Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips at $7 round-turn commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 4/5 and AvaTrade rates 4.4/5. AvaTrade has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ACY Securities starts from 0 pips, tighter than AvaTrade's 0.9 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ACY Securities has $50, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes ACY Securities more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities and AvaTrade hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: ACY Securities requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while AvaTrade lists up to 400:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for AvaTrade are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ACY Securities has exclusive access to TradingView. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
AvaTrade wins for safety and regulation with six+ jurisdictions including FCA and ASIC.
ACY Securities wins for active traders with 2,200+ instruments and raw ECN pricing.
ACY Securities is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
AvaTrade wins for platform choice with AvaTradeGo and AvaOptions alongside MT4/MT5.
ACY Securities wins for instrument variety with 2,200+ instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2006 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Dublin, Ireland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $50▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.9 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1▲ higher | 400:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $50/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Heavily regulated across 6+ jurisdictions
AvaOptions platform for vanilla options trading
Strong educational content and structured courses
Multiple platforms including MT4, MT5 and proprietary AvaTradeGo
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
$200 minimum for ECN Ultra account
Less established brand than IC Markets or Pepperstone in Australia
Limited proprietary tools
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Cons
Inactivity fee of $50 after 3 months of no trading
Not available to US residents
Spread-only model means no raw ECN pricing
No investor compensation scheme
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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