In this side-by-side comparison, AvaTrade and InstaForex face off on regulation, pricing, and platform access. The axis of tension centers on trust, cost, and the breadth of tools offered.
AvaTrade edges InstaForex on editorial score, anchored by broader regulation and pricing transparency.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want MT4/MT5 with a proprietary AvaTradeGo platform. You also benefit from segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and broader regulatory coverage.
Choose InstaForex if…
Choose InstaForex if you want a very low minimum deposit with cent accounts on MT4. You also gain access to a broad Asia and CIS partner network and higher leverage, though regulation is offshore.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
AvaTrade offers tighter spreads from 0.90 pips vs 1.00 pips for InstaForex, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.2 / 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 | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
AvaTrade rates 4.4/5 versus 3.6/5 for InstaForex. AvaTrade edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AvaTrade starts from 0.9 pips, tighter than InstaForex's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
InstaForex has $1, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes InstaForex more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
AvaTrade holds top-tier regulation (FSCA, ASIC, MFSA), providing stronger investor protections. InstaForex may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: InstaForex requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and AvaTrade provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while InstaForex lists up to 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while InstaForex supports MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
AvaTrade is safer due to multi-jurisdiction regulation across 6+ jurisdictions.
AvaTrade suits active traders with MT4/MT5 and AvaOptions.
AvaTrade is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.90 pips.
AvaTrade provides MT4/MT5 and a proprietary platform, maximizing trading options.
InstaForex attracts beginners with a $1 minimum and cent accounts.
AvaTrade has 1250 instruments, far more than InstaForex.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.3 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland | Road Town, British Virgin Islands |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | $1▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.9 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM | FSC BVI CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | 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
17+ years in operation, extensive track record
Cent accounts for micro-lot trading from $1
Very low minimum deposit
Large partner and IB network across Asia and CIS
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
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
FSC BVI only, offshore licence, limited investor protection
Spreads not competitive with ECN brokers
Platform limited to MT4, no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary option
Service quality reviews are mixed on independent forums
No top-tier regulatory licence
Client funds not segregated
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker