In this matchup, AvaTrade and ThinkMarkets duel over equity CFD access, pricing, and platform choice. The tension centers on exchange coverage and platform depth.
AvaTrade and ThinkMarkets remain closely matched. The clearest differentiator is exchange coverage, with ThinkMarkets offering access to 12 exchanges versus AvaTrade's 10.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you value fixed spreads on 600+ stock CFDs and strong regulation.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you need a larger stock universe and a mobile trading platform with ThinkTrader.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Equally matched on safety and regulation.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
AvaTrade and ThinkMarkets share the same editorial score of 3.8/5. One concrete differentiator: ThinkMarkets requires a lower minimum deposit.
ThinkMarkets lists tighter spreads from 0.4, 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.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and ThinkMarkets 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: ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, 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 ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 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 ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to TradingView.
Neither AvaTrade nor ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets wins for active traders due to a larger stock CFD universe (3,000+) and mobile tools.
Equally matched for beginners; both offer copy trading and social features.
ThinkMarkets gains for global market access due to 12 exchanges vs 10.
ThinkMarkets is favored for potential tighter spreads with ThinkZero, though requires separate application.
Equally matched for long term investing; neither offers fractional shares or DRIP.
| N/A |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| 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 | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM | FCA FSCA JFSA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
Score 3.8 / 5
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