Two brokers square off for equity exposure and cost discipline. The axis of tension centers on commission models, long‑term investing features, and market access.
Freetrade edges AvaTrade on the editorial score, driven by commission-free trading and a beginner-friendly structure.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Freetrade wins for low-cost trading due to commission-free stock and ETF trades.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 3.8/5 and Freetrade rates 4/5. Freetrade 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.
AvaTrade starts from 0.9. Current spread data is not available for Freetrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
AvaTrade requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Freetrade.
Both AvaTrade and Freetrade 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, AvaTrade provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Freetrade lists up to 1:1. 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 Freetrade supports Freetrade App. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. Freetrade has exclusive access to Freetrade App.
Freetrade 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 Freetrade 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.
AvaTrade wins safety & regulation thanks to multiple regulators.
Freetrade is best for long-term investors thanks to ISA and SIPP wrappers.
AvaTrade suits active traders with MT4/MT5 and advanced tools.
Freetrade wins for beginners with a clean mobile interface and no minimum deposit.
AvaTrade wins global market access with exposure to 10 exchanges.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Freetrade App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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