Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AvaTrade if you value fixed stock CFD pricing.
Choose if…
Choose AvaTrade if you prefer MT4 and AvaTradeGO with copy trading options. Choose FP Markets if you want IRESS DMA with broad exchange access. Choose FP Markets if you need 10,000+ share CFDs and TradingView support.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
AvaTrade wins for safety with multiple licenses including MFSA, FSCA, and ADGM.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| 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 | FP 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 | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: AvaTrade 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 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.
Both AvaTrade and FP Markets require a minimum deposit of $100 to open a live trading account.
Both AvaTrade 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.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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 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 FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile. FP Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Neither AvaTrade 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.
Both AvaTrade and FP Markets 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.
FP Markets provides IRESS DMA and 10,000+ share CFDs for active traders.
AvaTrade offers MT4/MT5 with AvaTradeGO and copy trading, aiding beginners.
FP Markets covers 15 exchanges, expanding global market access.
FP Markets provides no platform fee for standard share CFD trading.
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 cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM | ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Two multi-asset brokers clash on regulation, fees, and platform reach. The axis of tension centers on which offers stronger safety and broader market access.
FP Markets has the higher editorial score and stronger category ratings, while AvaTrade trails overall.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
Score 4.1 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.