ADS Securities vs OANDA Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ADS Securities and OANDA across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Score 4.3 / 5
2 bonusesUAE-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.
VS
NFA- and FCA-regulated with strong US/UK coverage, transparent historical pricing, and excellent research.
Our Verdict
OANDA winsby 0.3 pts
OANDA edges ahead with a score of 4.6/5 vs ADS Securities's 4.3/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
ADS Securities offers tighter spreads from 0.5 pips vs 1 pips for OANDA, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
OANDA has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
ADS Securities has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.5 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
OANDA offers more exclusive platform options: TradingView, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
OANDA edges out ADS Securities with a higher editorial score (4.6/5 vs 4.3/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
ADS Securities vs OANDA: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 2011 | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | New York, United States |
| Min deposit | $2,000 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 200:1 | 50:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free for ACH |
| Regulators | FCA FSRA | FCA CMF ASIC NFA CBI |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ADS Securities | Visit OANDA |
ADS Securities vs OANDA Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
Available to US residents (NFA-registered)
Best-in-class research and economic data
No minimum deposit
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
Spreads slightly wider than ECN-style brokers
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
ADS Securities vs OANDA: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
ADS Securities
criteria wins
2
OANDA
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ADS Securities | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 |
ADS Securities vs OANDA: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, OANDA ranks higher with a score of 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5 for ADS Securities. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ADS Securities and OANDA may each suit different trader profiles.
ADS Securities offers tighter spreads starting from 0.5 pips, compared to OANDA's spreads from 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
OANDA has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes OANDA more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and OANDA 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: OANDA has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; OANDA 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 OANDA offers up to 50:1. 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, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 5 and OANDA offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 5; OANDA exclusively offers TradingView.
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Score 4.3 / 5
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