In this stocks comparison, AvaTrade and Stake frame a tension between cost models and ownership. The question is who better fits long-term stock investing and global access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want short selling on stock CFDs and robust support channels. You also gain advanced charting options.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.9/ 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 | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| 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 Stake rates 3.9/5. Stake 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 Stake. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
AvaTrade requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both AvaTrade and Stake 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. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AvaTrade supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. AvaTrade has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 and ZuluTrade.
Stake 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 Stake 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.
Choose Stake if…
Choose Stake if you want commission-free stock trading. You get a clean, simple interface designed for long-term stock investors.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Stake wins for low cost trading with commission-free US, AU, and UK stock trading.
AvaTrade wins safety and regulation with multiple regulators and broader investor protection measures.
AvaTrade wins for active traders with live platforms, short selling, advanced charting, and copying.
Stake wins for beginners with a clean, simple interface and no account minimum.
AvaTrade wins global market access with 10 exchanges supported worldwide and reliable liquidity.
Stake wins for long-term investors with real share ownership and dividends.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank TransferCredit CardDebit Card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCardSkrillNeteller | Bank Transfer |
|---|
| 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 | No |
|---|
| Regulators | MFSA CBI FSCA ASIC ADGM | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
AvaTrade and Stake are closely matched overall, but Stake's commission-free stock trading marks the clearest cost-model differentiator.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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