This comparison pits AvaTrade and GO Markets in a fight over regulation, platform breadth, and global stock access, highlighting where their strengths diverge.
AvaTrade edges GO Markets on the editorial score due to stronger Trust & Regulation and Customer Support.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you prefer fixed spreads and a proprietary platform alongside MT4/MT5.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you want MT4/MT5 plus cTrader and dual regulation.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
AvaTrade benefits from broader regulator coverage, including MFSA and CBI, enhancing perceived safety.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100▼ lower | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $5/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | GO 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 | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 3.8/5 and GO Markets rates 3.5/5. 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.
GO 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.
AvaTrade has $100, while GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes AvaTrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and GO 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: AvaTrade requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), 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 GO Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
GO Markets charges $5 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 GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader.
Neither AvaTrade nor GO 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 GO 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.
GO Markets offers higher leverage and multiple platforms for active trading.
AvaTrade provides broader access to more exchanges, aiding global diversification.
GO Markets offers competitive ECN spreads and transparent commissions, which can lower trading costs.
AvaTrade's broader exchange access supports longer-term diversification.
| N/A |
| 0.5 pips |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| 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 | ASIC CySEC FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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