AvaTrade vs ThinkMarkets Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of AvaTrade and ThinkMarkets 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.
VS
Score 4.2 / 5
2 bonusesNo minimum deposit on standard account, a highly rated ThinkTrader mobile app, and JFSA regulation for Japanese clients.
Our Verdict
AvaTrade winsby 0.2 pts
AvaTrade edges ahead with a score of 4.4/5 vs ThinkMarkets's 4.2/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.4 pips vs 0.9 pips for AvaTrade, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
ThinkMarkets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
ThinkMarkets has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.4 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
ThinkMarkets offers more exclusive platform options: TradingView, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
AvaTrade edges out ThinkMarkets with a higher editorial score (4.4/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
AvaTrade vs ThinkMarkets: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| 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▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | 0.4 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 400:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC ADGM CBI MFSA | FCA FSCA ASIC JFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit AvaTrade | Visit ThinkMarkets |
AvaTrade vs ThinkMarkets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
No minimum deposit on standard ThinkForex account
ThinkTrader proprietary app is well-reviewed for mobile trading
JFSA regulation for Japanese clients
Strong multi-region regulatory coverage
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
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
ThinkZero account requires $500 minimum deposit
Standard account is spread-only and not competitive for scalpers
Not available to US residents
AvaTrade vs ThinkMarkets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
AvaTrade
criteria wins
3
ThinkMarkets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AvaTrade | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 vs ThinkMarkets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, AvaTrade ranks higher with a score of 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5 for ThinkMarkets. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; AvaTrade and ThinkMarkets may each suit different trader profiles.
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads starting from 0.4 pips, compared to AvaTrade's spreads from 0.9 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ThinkMarkets has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and ThinkMarkets 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: ThinkMarkets has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), 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 ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile; ThinkMarkets exclusively offers TradingView.
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Score 4.2 / 5
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