This comparison pits AvaTrade against Capital.com in a clash over pricing models, regulation, and stock access. The tension centers on cost predictability versus breadth of global shares.
AvaTrade and Capital.com are closely matched overall. Capital.com distinguishes itself with commission-free trading, while AvaTrade is not.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want fixed spreads on 600+ stock CFDs and you rely on MT4/MT5 or AvaTradeGO.
Choose Capital.com if…
Choose Capital.com if you prefer commission-free trading and access to 4,000+ stock CFDs on a proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com wins for low-cost trading with its commission-free model.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | $20▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | $10/month (after 3 months)▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 3.8/5 and Capital.com rates 3.9/5. Capital.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.
Capital.com lists tighter spreads from 0.6, 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.
Capital.com has $20, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes Capital.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and Capital.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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Capital.com requires a lower minimum deposit ($20), lowering the barrier to entry, 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 Capital.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.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Capital.com offers commission-free stock trading while AvaTrade does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both AvaTrade and Capital.com are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
Equally matched on regulation; both meet top-tier oversight and compensation schemes.
Capital.com wins for active traders with AI insights and built-in research tools.
Capital.com wins for beginners with a low $20 minimum deposit.
Capital.com wins global market access with 25 exchanges.
Equally matched for long-term investing since neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPalApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM | FCA MAS ASIC CySEC CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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