Two established brokers square off over stock CFD access and platform choices. The tension hinges on exchange reach, platform breadth, and regulatory protections.
AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is exchange coverage, with BlackBull Markets offering access to 20 exchanges versus AvaTrade's 10.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want fixed stock CFD spreads, a proprietary platform, and phone support.
Choose BlackBull Markets if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you want broader exchange access and DMA via IRESS.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
AvaTrade wins for safety & regulation, with a compensation scheme and broader regulator mix (MFSA, ASIC) compared with BlackBull Markets.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.9 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 | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 3.8/5 and BlackBull Markets rates 3.7/5. AvaTrade 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.
BlackBull Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, 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.
BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes BlackBull Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and BlackBull 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while BlackBull 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.
BlackBull Markets charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for AvaTrade 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.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while BlackBull Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile. BlackBull Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView and DXtrade.
Neither AvaTrade nor BlackBull 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.
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.
BlackBull Markets wins for active traders with DMA access and multiple platforms.
BlackBull Markets wins for beginners with zero minimum deposit.
BlackBull Markets wins for global access with broader exchange coverage.
Equally matched; explicit per-trade costs aren’t disclosed by either broker.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM | FSC FMA |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView DXtrade MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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