In this side-by-side comparison, AvaTrade and BDSwiss clash on regulation, pricing, and platform choices while differing sharply on available instruments and investor protections.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
You gain broad regulation across 6+ jurisdictions and access to AvaOptions for vanilla options. You also get MT4, MT5, and proprietary platforms with strong educational content. You benefit from a $10 minimum deposit and CySEC backed EU compensation with BDSwiss. You also get MT4/MT5, WebTrader, and a Prime ECN option with 0.0 pip spreads.
Choose if…
You gain broad regulation across 6+ jurisdictions and access to AvaOptions for vanilla options. You also get MT4, MT5, and proprietary platforms with strong educational content. You benefit from a $10 minimum deposit and CySEC backed EU compensation with BDSwiss. You also get MT4/MT5, WebTrader, and a Prime ECN option with 0.0 pip spreads.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
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)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | BDSwiss |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | 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 | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
AvaTrade rates 4.4/5 versus 3.9/5 for BDSwiss. AvaTrade edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
BDSwiss starts from 0 pips, tighter than AvaTrade's 0.9 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
BDSwiss has $10, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes BDSwiss more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and BDSwiss 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: BDSwiss requires a lower minimum deposit ($10), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while BDSwiss lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
BDSwiss charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for AvaTrade are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while BDSwiss supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade.
BDSwiss offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.90 pips for AvaTrade, reducing trading costs.
AvaTrade wins for safety and regulation with multi-jurisdiction licenses and segregated client funds.
BDSwiss suits active traders with raw 0.0 pip Prime ECN spreads.
BDSwiss is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
AvaTrade leads in platform choice with MT4/MT5, AvaTradeGo, and ZuluTrade.
AvaTrade provides strong educational content and structured courses for beginners.
AvaTrade offers 1250 instruments, versus 250 at BDSwiss.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2012 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | $10▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.9 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 400:1▲ higher | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM | FSA Seychelles CySEC FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
$10 minimum deposit (Classic account) - lowest among CySEC-regulated MT4/MT5 brokers
CySEC (199/13) regulation with ICF compensation scheme for EU clients
MT4, MT5, and proprietary WebTrader
Prime ECN account: raw 0.0 pip spreads at $6/lot commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
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
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
Cons
Classic account spreads (1.5-2.0 pips EUR/USD) wide for active traders
$1,000 minimum on the Prime ECN account
No cTrader or TradingView integration
Research tools are basic
AvaTrade leads overall on editorial score, while BDSwiss trails on several criteria.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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