Two brokers compete on regulation, platform depth, and market reach. The axis contrasts an institutional-focused provider with a broader retail-oriented option, inviting readers to weigh strengths and gaps.
ADS Securities is the overall winner on editorial score, scoring 3.8 versus easyMarkets 3.4, underscored by DFSA/FCA regulation and institutional-grade execution.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you need institutional-grade execution and dedicated relationship managers for professional or high-net-worth clients.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you want retail-friendly access with fixed spreads and dealCancellation.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
easyMarkets benefits from multiple regulators (CySEC, ASIC, HCMC, MNB, CNV) and compensation scheme.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $25▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | easyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
The scores are close: ADS Securities rates 3.8/5 and easyMarkets rates 3.4/5. ADS Securities 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.
ADS Securities lists tighter spreads from 0.5, compared with easyMarkets's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
easyMarkets has $25, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes easyMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and easyMarkets 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.
easyMarkets 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 easyMarkets lists up to 400:1. 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 easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4.
Neither ADS Securities nor easyMarkets 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.
easyMarkets 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 provides institutional-grade execution with direct market access for active traders.
easyMarkets' low minimum deposit suits new entrants seeking affordable start.
ADS Securities offers eight exchanges, outperforming easyMarkets' four.
easyMarkets offers the lowest entry with a $25 minimum deposit.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, nor IPO access.
| 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 | CNV ASIC HCMC CySEC MNB |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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