A head-to-head comparison of ADS Securities and Skilling 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.
Modern Swedish-founded broker with CySEC and FCA regulation, a visually polished proprietary platform, and cTrader for advanced traders - well-positioned for EU retail clients seeking a contemporary alternative to legacy MetaTrader brokers.
ADS Securities edges ahead with a score of 4.3/5 vs Skilling's 4.1/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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 0.7 pips for Skilling, reducing trading costs.
Skilling has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
ADS Securities has a cost edge: tighter spreads from 0.5 pips.
Both brokers offer an equivalent platform selection with similar exclusive and proprietary options.
ADS Securities edges out Skilling with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
| Founded | 2011 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Valletta, Malta |
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 200:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA FSRA | FCA FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 cTrader Skilling Trader |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ADS Securities | Visit Skilling |
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
Clean modern Skilling Trader platform - excellent UX for new-to-intermediate traders
cTrader available with raw spreads from 0.0 pips
CySEC and FCA regulation with EU and UK investor protections
Growing Latin American presence with local-language support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
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 on standard accounts
Newer broker - less track record than IG or Pepperstone
Product range narrower than multi-asset brokers
No phone support
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, ADS Securities ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 4.1/5 for Skilling. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ADS Securities and Skilling may each suit different trader profiles.
ADS Securities offers tighter spreads starting from 0.5 pips, compared to Skilling's spreads from 0.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Skilling has a lower minimum deposit of $100, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes Skilling more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and Skilling 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: Skilling has a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry; Skilling 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 Skilling offers up to 500:1. 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 Skilling offers MetaTrader 4, cTrader, Skilling Trader; both support MetaTrader 4; ADS Securities exclusively offers MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile; Skilling exclusively offers cTrader, Skilling Trader.
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