ACY Securities and AvaTrade square off in stock CFDs across global markets, trading on different platforms and under distinct regulatory footprints, with cost and access tradeoffs shaping the choice.
ACY Securities and AvaTrade are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is AvaTrade's access to 10 exchanges versus ACY's 5.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want ASIC regulation with negative balance protection and ECN execution on share CFDs. You also gain institutional-grade execution and transparent pricing through ECN routes, designed for active traders seeking consistent quote quality, fast order fills, and scalable leverage.
Choose if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want access to more exchanges, a compensation scheme, and a proprietary trading platform.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
AvaTrade has broader regulatory coverage and a compensation scheme, strengthening safety and regulation.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.9 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and AvaTrade rates 3.8/5. AvaTrade has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ACY Securities lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with AvaTrade's 0.9. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
ACY Securities has $50, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes ACY Securities more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities and AvaTrade 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: ACY Securities requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while AvaTrade lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for AvaTrade are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ACY Securities has exclusive access to TradingView. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither ACY Securities nor AvaTrade is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
AvaTrade scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
ACY Securities delivers ECN execution on share CFDs, appealing to active traders.
ACY Securities requires a lower minimum deposit of $50, which can help new traders start.
AvaTrade provides access to 10 exchanges, more than ACY Securities' 5.
Spreads are not specified for either broker, so cost comparisons are unclear.
Neither offers DRIP or fractional shares, so long-term investing features are effectively equal.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $50/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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