ADS Securities and FP Markets face off on regulation, access to global exchanges and platform options. The match hinges on safety, cost structure, and international reach.
FP Markets edges ADS Securities on editorial scores due to stronger regulation and broader exchange access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you value a proprietary platform and DFSA regulation with dedicated relationship managers.
Choose FP Markets if…
Choose FP Markets if you want genuine DMA access via IRESS to multiple exchanges and 10,000+ stock CFDs.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
FP Markets, with ASIC and CySEC oversight, offers strong regulatory protection compared to ADS.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 FP Markets rates 4.1/5. FP Markets 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.
FP Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with ADS Securities's 0.5. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
FP Markets has $100, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes FP Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and FP Markets 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.
FP Markets 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 FP Markets 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.
FP Markets 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.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ADS Securities has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. FP Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Neither ADS Securities nor FP Markets 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.
FP Markets 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.
FP Markets provides DMA-access, 10,000+ stock CFDs, appealing to active traders.
FP Markets is beginner-friendly with a low minimum deposit and intuitive MT4/MT5, cTrader options.
FP Markets delivers broader global market access via more exchanges and DMA options.
FP Markets is best for low cost trading due to a lower minimum deposit and no standard share CFD fee.
FP Markets' broad exchange access via IRESS DMA supports long-term diversification opportunities.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi |
|---|
| 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 CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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