In a head-to-head on cost, access to global markets, and platform reach, Admirals and ADS Securities showcase two very different approaches to stock trading.
Admirals edges ADS Securities on the editorial score and broader regulation. It also offers commission-free trading, strengthening its cost appeal.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Admirals if…
Choose Admirals if you want commission-free trading and broad exchange access.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you value a proprietary platform and institutional grade execution.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Admirals wins for low cost trading with commission-free trading.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $2,000 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Admirals | ADS Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Admirals rates 4/5 and ADS Securities rates 3.8/5. Admirals 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.
Both Admirals and ADS Securities start from the same spread of 0.5. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
Admirals has no minimum deposit, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes Admirals more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Admirals and ADS Securities 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.
Admirals stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Admirals lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while ADS Securities lists up to 200:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Admirals charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ADS Securities 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.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ADS Securities has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Admirals offers commission-free stock trading while ADS Securities does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Admirals 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.
Admirals offers a broader regulatory footprint with FCA, CySEC and ASIC oversight.
ADS Securities suits active traders with direct market access and institutional grade execution.
Admirals is beginner-friendly with zero minimum deposit and UK FSCS protection.
Admirals provides broader global access with 15 exchanges.
Admirals wins for long-term investors with real stock ownership via Invest.MT5 and 4,500+ stocks.
| 1.1 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 24 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC KNF | FSRA FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 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