In a head-to-head on regulation, cost and platforms, ADS Securities and AvaTrade clash over instrument breadth and risk protections.
ADS Securities and AvaTrade remain closely matched, with AvaTrade offering negative balance protection that ADS Securities lacks.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you value raw spreads and no inactivity fee.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want negative balance protection and a broad instrument universe.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ADS Securities offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 0.90 pips for AvaTrade, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 5 |
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)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Pass | 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: ADS Securities rates 4.3/5 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.
ADS Securities starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than AvaTrade's 0.9 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
AvaTrade has $100, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes AvaTrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS 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.
AvaTrade stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ADS Securities lists maximum leverage of 200:1, 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.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade.
AvaTrade wins for safety & regulation due to broader multi-jurisdiction oversight.
ADS Securities wins for active traders with FIX API access and raw spreads.
ADS Securities is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
AvaTrade wins for platform choice with AvaOptions and multiple platforms.
AvaTrade wins for beginners with low minimum deposit and solid educational resources.
AvaTrade wins for instrument variety with a larger 1,250-instrument universe.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2006 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Dublin, Ireland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $2,000 | $100▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.9 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 200:1 | 400:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $50/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSRA FCA | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
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
$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
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 4.3 / 5
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