Two brokers stand alongside each other on regulation and platform support. The tension centers on support access and value-added tools.
ADS Securities and AvaTrade are closely matched overall, with AvaTrade offering 24/5 live chat that ADS Securities lacks.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you value Dubai-based DFSA regulation, institutional-grade execution with direct GCC equities access, and dedicated relationship managers for professionals.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you value 24/5 live chat, multi-regulator oversight, and fixed spreads on 600+ stock CFDs.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
AvaTrade wins safety & regulation with broader regulator coverage including ASIC and MFSA.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.9 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $50/month (after 3 months) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 |
ADS Securities and AvaTrade share the same editorial score of 3.8/5. One concrete differentiator: AvaTrade requires a lower minimum deposit.
ADS Securities lists tighter spreads from 0.5, 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.
AvaTrade has $100, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes AvaTrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS 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.
AvaTrade 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.
ADS Securities lists maximum leverage of 200:1, 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.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade.
Neither ADS 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.
ADS Securities wins for active traders, offering institutional-grade execution and direct GCC equities access.
AvaTrade wins for beginners with a lower entry barrier and accessible support.
AvaTrade wins for global market access with more exchanges and wider regulator reach.
AvaTrade wins for low cost trading with a $100 minimum deposit versus ADS's $2,000.
Equally matched.
| Deposit fee |
|---|
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | 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 | FSRA FCA | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
Score 3.8 / 5
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