A head-to-head comparison of ADS Securities and ATFX across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
UAE-headquartered broker regulated by FSRA (Abu Dhabi Global Market) and FCA, providing institutional-quality execution and capital markets access to GCC institutional and high-net-worth retail traders.
FCA and CySEC-regulated broker with a fast-growing global footprint, 300+ instruments on MT4, and a strong presence in the UAE and Asian markets - built on institutional backing and multi-regional regulation.
ADS Securities and ATFX are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.3/5 and 4.2/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ADS Securities offers tighter spreads from 0.5 pips vs 1.8 pips for ATFX, reducing trading costs.
ATFX has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
ADS Securities has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.5 pips.
ADS Securities offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
ADS Securities edges out ATFX with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | $2,000 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 1.8 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 200:1 | 400:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA FSRA | FCA FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ADS Securities | Visit ATFX |
Pros
FSRA (ADGM) and FCA dual regulation - institutional-grade UAE framework
Institutional prime brokerage liquidity for tight spreads
Multi-asset including equities and fixed income
FIX API available for algorithmic and professional clients
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), and FSCA (SA) licensing
300+ instruments including ETF CFDs and bond CFDs
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
No minimum deposit, no inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
$2,000 minimum deposit - not accessible to entry-level retail traders
Primary focus on institutional and HNW clients; limited retail tools
Less suitable for traders seeking educational support or copy trading
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
Cons
MT4 only - no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary platform
Standard spreads from 1.8 pips are not ECN-competitive
Relatively young broker - founded 2017
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | ATFX |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, ADS Securities ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5 for ATFX. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ADS Securities and ATFX may each suit different trader profiles.
ADS Securities offers tighter spreads starting from 0.5 pips, compared to ATFX's spreads from 1.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ATFX has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes ATFX more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and ATFX hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: ATFX has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; ATFX offers negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
ADS Securities offers maximum leverage of 200:1, while ATFX offers up to 400:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile and ATFX offers MetaTrader 4; both support MetaTrader 4; ADS Securities exclusively offers MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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