A head-to-head comparison of AvaTrade and eToro across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Heavily regulated across 6+ jurisdictions with a unique AvaOptions platform for vanilla options trading and strong educational content.
Best-in-class social and copy trading on a clean proprietary web/mobile platform. FCA / CySEC / ASIC regulated.
AvaTrade edges ahead with a score of 4.4/5 vs eToro's 4.2/5. 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.
AvaTrade offers tighter spreads from 0.9 pips vs 1 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
eToro has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
AvaTrade offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, a proprietary platform.
AvaTrade edges out eToro with a higher editorial score (4.4/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Min deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 400:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | USD 5 per withdrawal |
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC ADGM CBI MFSA | FCA ASIC AMF CySEC CMVM FSRA Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet CMA ASF FSC CNB MNB KNF Finanstilsynet HCMC MFSA FSA Seychelles |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit AvaTrade | Visit eToro |
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)
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
Social and copy trading leader
Multi-asset (stocks, crypto, FX)
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
24/5 live chat support
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
Wider FX spreads
Withdrawal fee
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
No phone support
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, AvaTrade ranks higher with a score of 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5 for eToro. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; AvaTrade and eToro may each suit different trader profiles.
AvaTrade offers tighter spreads starting from 0.9 pips, compared to eToro's spreads from 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
eToro has a lower minimum deposit of $50, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes eToro more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and eToro 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: eToro has a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
AvaTrade offers maximum leverage of 400:1, while eToro offers up to 30:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
AvaTrade supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile and eToro offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; both support Proprietary Web/Mobile; AvaTrade exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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