Two regulated brokers stand at opposite ends of the spectrum: ADS Securities and Axi. The axis of tension is regulation depth, pricing, and platform options.
ADS Securities edges Axi on overall score, supported by a higher editorial score and dual FSRA/FCA regulation.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you prioritize strong regulation and institutional-grade liquidity. You gain access to FSRA (ADGM) and FCA oversight, institutional prime brokerage liquidity, raw spreads, and FIX API for professional traders with segregated client funds.
Choose Axi if…
Choose Axi if you want a no-minimum-deposit account and robust MT4 infrastructure for EA traders. You also access DXtrade for a modern web experience, but MT5 is not supported and Pro accounts charge $7 per lot.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Axi offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.50 pips for ADS Securities, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 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 | Axi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 | 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 Axi rates 4.1/5. ADS Securities 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.
Axi starts from 0 pips, tighter than ADS Securities's 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Axi has no minimum deposit, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes Axi more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and Axi 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.
Axi 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 Axi lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Axi charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ADS Securities are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Axi supports DXtrade, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ADS Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Axi has exclusive access to DXtrade.
Equally matched; both hold top-tier regulation and funds are segregated.
ADS Securities, due to FIX API access and institutional liquidity.
Axi is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
ADS Securities wins for platform variety with a proprietary platform and MT4/MT5.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2007 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Sydney, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $2,000 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 200:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| 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 | FCA ASIC DFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | DXtrade 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
No minimum deposit
Strong ASIC, FCA, and DFSA regulation
MT4-focused with excellent EA and algorithmic trading support
No inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
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
No MT5 or cTrader support
Pro account commission of $7/lot is above some ECN peers
Research and education tools are more limited than some peers
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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