In a head-to-head on regulation and protections, ADS Securities and Forex.com duel over how client funds are safeguarded and what protections backstop investments.
ADS Securities and Forex.com are closely matched, but Forex.com offers investor compensation that ADS Securities does not.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you want no inactivity fee and a higher minimum deposit.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you want investor compensation and negative balance protection.
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 1.00 pips for Forex.com, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 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 | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 Forex.com rates 4.2/5. 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.
ADS Securities starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than Forex.com's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Forex.com has $100, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes Forex.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and Forex.com 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.
Forex.com 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 Forex.com lists up to 50:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Forex.com 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 Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4.
Forex.com wins on safety with multiple top-tier regulators NFA, CFTC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, IIROC.
ADS Securities wins for active traders due to FIX API access and institutional liquidity.
ADS Securities is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
Forex.com wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5 and proprietary web/mobile tools.
Forex.com wins for beginners with low $100 min deposit and protections.
Forex.com wins with about 400 tradable instruments versus ADS Securities 200.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Bedminster, New Jersey, USA |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $2,000 | $100▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 1.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 200:1 | 50:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $15/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSRA FCA | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | 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
One of the few brokers accepting US retail forex clients
Deep research tools including macro analysis
Raw spread account with competitive $7 round-turn commission
MT4, MT5 and proprietary platforms
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
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
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
$100 minimum deposit is higher than some peers
US clients restricted to 50:1 leverage on major pairs
Raw account pricing not available in all jurisdictions
Inactivity fee applies
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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