ADS Securities and Forex.com are evaluated side by side on regulation, platform breadth, and client protections, highlighting tensions between institutional focus and broader retail safeguards.
ADS Securities and Forex.com are closely matched overall, but Forex.com offers negative balance protection that ADS Securities does not.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you prioritize institutional execution and GCC equities access.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you want 24/5 live chat, a compensation scheme, and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Forex.com wins safety and regulation with higher Trust and Regulation score and broader regulator list.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Forex.com rates 3.9/5. Forex.com 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 Forex.com's 1. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Forex.com has $100, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes Forex.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and Forex.com 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.
Forex.com 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 Forex.com 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.
Forex.com charges $7 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.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4.
Neither ADS Securities nor Forex.com 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.
Forex.com 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.
Forex.com wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 and Web Trader plus Reuters news and an integrated calendar.
Equally matched for global market access.
Forex.com wins for low-cost trading due to its higher Fees and Spreads score.
Equally matched for long-term investing as neither offers fractional shares or DRIP.
| N/A |
| 1.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | $15/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| 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 | MAS IIROC FCA ASIC CFTC NFA |
|---|
| 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 3.8 / 5
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