A head-to-head comparison of AvaTrade and Forex.com 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.
One of very few brokers accepting US retail forex clients, with deep research tools and competitive raw spreads for professional accounts.
AvaTrade edges ahead with a score of 4.4/5 vs Forex.com'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 Forex.com, reducing trading costs.
Forex.com has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Both brokers offer equivalent trading costs across spreads, commissions, and account types.
Both brokers offer an equivalent platform selection with similar exclusive and proprietary options.
AvaTrade edges out Forex.com 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▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland | Bedminster, New Jersey, USA |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 400:1 | 50:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC ADGM CBI MFSA | FCA ASIC CFTC MAS NFA IIROC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit AvaTrade | Visit Forex.com |
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
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
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
$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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, AvaTrade ranks higher with a score of 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5 for Forex.com. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; AvaTrade and Forex.com may each suit different trader profiles.
AvaTrade offers tighter spreads starting from 0.9 pips, compared to Forex.com's spreads from 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Both AvaTrade and Forex.com require a minimum deposit of $100 to open a live trading account.
Both AvaTrade and Forex.com 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: 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 Forex.com 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.
Forex.com charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AvaTrade supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile and Forex.com offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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