Originally founded as AvaFX, AvaTrade is a forex and CFD brokers located in Dublin Ireland and has additional offices in 11 countries.
AvaTrade was established in 2006 and has expanded its services since then, offering clients the basic and advanced tools in order to trade CFDs and forex online.
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AvaTrade is regulated in six jurisdictions including the Central Bank of Ireland, Australian Securities & Investments Commission, British Virgin Island Services Commission, Financial Services Agency and Financial Futures Association of Japan, and South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority.
We have put it to the test by testing their platform, pros, cons, etc. Read our full review to find out all you need to know about this broker.
What is AvaTrade?
Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is a well-known forex and CFD broker with 200,000 registered customers globally and more than two million trades a month. The broker also states that its total trading volumes surpass $60 billion per month.
AvaTrade offers traders and investors to exchange contract for difference, connecting traders and investors to financial markets through online trading platforms. The broker executes all traders’ orders based on the market maker model.
AvaTrade is based in Dublin Ireland and operates additional offices worldwide including Italy, Japan, Spain, Australia, Mongolia, China, Nigeria, Chile, and South Africa.
AvaTrade Markets and Products
Score: 8/10
AvaTrade offers traders a variety of 8 markets including FX options and cryptocurrencies.
- Forex – 50+ currency pairs.
- Indices – 19 global indices.
- Commodities – 17 global commodities.
- Stocks (shares) – 63 stocks in US exchanges, LSE, Euronext Paris, Borsa Italiana, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
- Cryptocurrencies – 7 crypto coins. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold, Stellar, Litecoin, and Ripple.
- Bonds and interest rates – 2. Euro-Bund and Japan Government Bond.
- Options – 45 FX and commodities.
- Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s) – 5.
Overall, AvaTrade offers a selection of 8 different markets and a variety of financial assets.
AvaTrade Special Features
Score: 9/10
Forex brokers compete for customers, offering a range of special features and trading tools. Compared to other brokers, AvaTrade offers unique additional features including automated trading, MetaTrader4 on Mac, and Autochartist plugin for MT4.
Automated Trading
Not all traders have the skills, ability, and discipline to trade financial markets. The solution can be automated trading which allows you to create a computer program that automatically sends orders to the market. Once you find a successful algorithm, following backtesting your strategy, you can operate an automatic program that creates a constant profit for you.
Automated trading can be done through a specific algorithm as well as an automated order system that allows copying other trader’s orders. AvaTrade offers DupliTrade and ZuluTrade in order to copy other experienced traders.
MetaTrader 4 on Mac
A few years ago it was almost impossible to trade the MT4 on Mac. Nowadays, some CFD brokers offer MT4 on Mac but you have to go through a long process, downloading programs, etc. AvaTrade provides traders an easy-to-use web-based MT4 platform which is available on Mac.
Autochartist plugin for MT4
Autochartist is an automated technical analysis plugin implemented on the MetaTrader 4 trading platform that identifies trading opportunities. Take note that the Autochartists is available free of charge for clients who deposit from as little as $500 USD.
Overall, AvaTrade provides traders a number of unique trading features and tools that improve the forex trading experience.
Supported Countries
Score: 6/10
AvaTrade accepts traders from over 150 countries around the world with offices located in different regions and regulations in six different jurisdictions. The broker also supports their website in 22 languages and in 30 different countries. AvaTrade, however, does not accept traders from the United States, Belgium, Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq, India, Pakistan.
Languages
Score: 9/10
AvaTrade supports 22 languages on its website, making the website accessible for all users around the world. Here are all the languages supported by AvaTrade:
- English
- Spanish
- German
- Italian
- Polish
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Portugese
- Dutch
- French
- Mongolian
- Nigerian
- Indonesian/Malay
- Arabic
- Turkish
- Finnish
- Hungarian
- Russian
- Thai
- Swedish
- Japanese
- Melayu
AveTrade has made the effort to make the websites accessible for the user based on your VPN so you can have the broker’s website on your preferred language with the relevant information for you such as regulations, payment methods, etc.
AvaTrade Trading Platforms
Score: 7/10
One of AvaTrade’s main advantages is the wide selection of trading platforms. The broker offers the popular MT4 which is available on desktop, web, iOS, and Android, the AvaOptions web platform, the AvaTradeGo which is available as a mobile app, the DupliTrade, and ZuluTrade.
MetaTrader4
The main trading platform offered by AvaTrade is the MetaTrader4 and although most forex brokers in the industry like Admiral Markets support MT4, AvaTrade provide traders additional access and features related to the MT4 trading platform. The MT4 is available on desktop, web, iOS, and Android including an MT4 web version on Mac.
AvaTrade also offers DupliTrade, a social/copy trading platform compatible with MT4. The DupliTrade allows you to automatically follow experienced traders’ signals and strategies.
AvaOptions
The AvaOption is a desktop and mobile trading app available on Google Play offering streaming prices for more than 40 currency pairs and was designed specifically for options trading.
For those who are interested in FX options trading, the AvaOptions offers basic and advanced trading tools to enhance your options trading.
AvaTradeGo
AvaTradeGo is the in-house trading app made by AvaTrade, offering a simple and easy-to-use trading experience. The AvaTradeGo was designed for simple trading orders and executions and can provide you features such as market trends and social/copy trading. The trading app is available on Google Play and the App Store.
DupliTrade & ZuluTrade
AvaTrade offers traders two automated trading platforms that allow you to follow and copy other experienced traders, the DupliTrade and the ZuluTrade. While the ZuluTrade is a more advanced trading platform, the DupliTrade is compatible with MT4. AvaTrade is among of the few brokers in the industry offering social/copy trading.
Fees and Limits
Score: 8/10
Trading and Non-Trading Fees
Rollover/Overnight fees – AvaTrade charges overnight/rollover (swaps) fees for FX and CFDs at the end of the trading day.
Inactivity fee – AvaTrade charges an inactivity fee of 50 USD/GBP/EUR after 3 consecutive months of non-use.
Administration fee – AvaTrade charges administration fee of 100 USD/GBP/EUR after 12 consecutive months of non-use.
Deposit and Withdrawal fees
AvaTrade does not charge any deposit and withdrawal fees, however, there is a minimum amount required in order to withdraw your funds.
Spreads
AvaTrade offers competitive spreads compared to other brokers in the industry and allows traders to choose between fixed or variable/floating spreads. Here are some of the spreads offered by AvaTrade on major and minor currencies.
Take note that AvaTrade also offers a high leverage ratio compared to other forex brokers like Libertex of 1:400 for currency pairs, 1:200 for commodities and indices, and 1:20 for cryptocurrencies.
Overall, AvaTrade is being transparent about its trading fees and does not charge any hidden fees besides inactivity fees. AvaTrade is a market maker which allows the broker the benefit to offer low fixed/variable spreads and the broker mentioned their goal to further reduce spreads.
Minimum Deposit
Score: 7/10
AvaTrade has a minimum deposit depending on the base currency of your account: $100 USD, €100 EUR, £100 GBP and $100 AUD.
Account Types
Score: 6/10
There is misinformation from AvaTrade about their offered account types and the difference between each account. Ava Trade keeps it simple with one trading account, the Standard account that requires a minimum initial deposit of 100 USD for a real live account. The broker also offers a demonstration account and an Islamic (swap-free) account for those who comply with the Shariah principles.
How to Sign Up and Trade on AvaTrade
Open a trading account with AvaTrade is a simple and quick process. Follow the next steps:
- Login to AvaTrade’ website and click the ‘Register Now’ button on the top right corner of the screen.
- Fill in the details, or sign up with your Google/Facebook account.
- Then, you can log in to to the AvaTrade’s website as a user. Depending on your location, download your preferred platform. Note that you can use multiple trading platforms.
- Once you are ready, fund your account through one of the AvaTrade’s payment methods.
- Start trading.
How to Configure Your AvaTrade Account
AvaTrade offers five trading platforms – MetaTrade4, AvaTradeGo, AvaOptions, DupliTrade and ZuluTrade. The broker provides a demo account before you risk real money.
AvaTradeGo
The AvaTradeGo is a user-friendly mobile application available on Google Play and App Store. Once you download the app, you can register for an account an sign in with your login details.
The AvaTradeGo provides unique features that you should know of – The market trends that allows you to see top gainers and losers in financial markets in your chosen timeframe, and the AvaTrade community sentiment that allows you to view other traders positions.
Meta Trader 4
MetaTrader 4 is one of the most popular and easy to use forex and CFD trading platforms. We remind you that AvaTrade provides MT4 as a desktop and web-based platform, including for those who use Mac.
After you download the platform or launch the web-based platform, you can see the MarketWatch (instruments quotes), trading charts and the terminal (positions, orders, account balance). Setting up MT4 is a simple process – You can organize the MarketWatch based on your preferences and open a number of trading charts with more than 80 technical indicators.
AvaOptions
AvaOptions is a trading platform designed for options trading available as a mobile app (on Google Play only) and as a desktop trading platform. Although the mobile app is advanced and easy to use, we recommend day traders using the desktop version. The AvaOption allows you to view all the available option based on the financial asset and the expiration date.
In addition, The AvaOptions has a live FX options pricing widget that can help you estimate your strategy based on the Black-Scholes model.
Security and Regulation
Score: 8/10
Regulation
AvaTrade is a highly regulated broker by several authorities from around the world. Those include:
- The Central Bank of Ireland in Europe, Reference No.: C53877
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission in Australia(License No.: 406684)
- The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission
- The Financial Services Agency (License No.: 1662), and the Financial Futures Association of Japan (License No.: 1574) in Asia.
- South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA No.45984) in South Africa.
Security
Forex and CFD brokers must take seriously security measurements. AvaTrade does not disparage security measurement and the safety of customer funds. Among some of the AvaTrade security measurements: Funds are being held in a segregated account from AvaTrade business funds, Ava uses McAfee Secure (HackerSafe) to prevent credit card fraud and identity theft, 256-bit SSL encryption across the entire website, Embedded True-Site identity assurance seal.
Deposit and Withdrawal Process
Score: 8/10
AvaTrade does not charge a deposit and withdrawal fee and has set an initial deposit requirement of $100 USD, €100 EUR, £100 GBP and $100 AUD.
Deposit
AvaTrade takes seriously frauds and the safety of funds, requiring new traders a verification of their payment method. The broker offers a variety of payment methods:
- Credit/Debit card
- Bank wire transfer
- Skrill
- Webmoney
- Neteller
Withdrawal
AvaTrade does not charge a withdrawal fee, and the withdrawal process can take up to 8 working days. Withdrawal can be made through the same payment methods used for the initial deposit.
Education and Resources
Score: 8/10
AvaTrade provides an educational section on its website for all trading levels. The AvaTrade education section is divided into Trading for beginners, order types, economic indicators, videos, electronic book, and the sharp trader which is a premium educational website. In addition, the broker also offers shares earning releases dates for their stocks offered on the platform.
Customer Service
Score: 9/10
AvaTrade has a great customer support which is available 24/5 from Sunday to Friday via phone, chatbot, email and live chat. The broker’s customer support is available in a number of languages for 37 different countries in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and North America.
Mobile App
Score: 8/10
AvaTrade offers a mobile app their in-house AvaTradeGo which is available on Google Play and App Store, and the popular MT4 mobile trading app. AvaTrade also offers a mobile app for the AvaOptions although the application is available on Google Play only.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
- High inactivity fees
- Limited selection of account types
- Customer support is not available 24/7
- Not available for US residents
Conclusion
AvaTrade was founded in 2006 and since then the company has built a positive reputation among users as well as in the industry. The broker offers a variety of financial assets and markets, a selection of five trading platforms, and special features like Autochartist, automated trading, and social/copy trading. AvaTrade is also regulated by top-regulators around the world including the Central Bank of Ireland, Australian Securities & Investments Commission, British Virgin Island Services Commission, Financial Services Agency and Financial Futures Association of Japan, and South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority.
Following our in-depth review, we highly recommend our users to choose AvaTrade as your forex and CFD broker.
FAQs
What is the leverage ratio offered by AvaTrade?
AvaTrade leverage ratio varies depending on the instrument, market, and the chosen trading platform. On Meta Trader 4, the leverage ratio is 1:400. Most forex pairs have the highest leverage of 1:400 while metals and commodities leverage ratio is 1:200.
What is the minimum deposit to open a forex/CFD account at AvaTrade?
AvaTrade requires a minimum deposit of $100 USD, €100 EUR, £100 GBP and $100 AUD.
Is AvaTrade a regulated broker?
Yes, AvaTrade is highly regulated in six jurisdictions including the Central Bank of Ireland, Australian Securities & Investments Commission, British Virgin Island Services Commission, Financial Services Agency and Financial Futures Association of Japan, and South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority.
AvaTrade - Is it a scam broker?
No, AvaTrade is a reputable forex and CFD broker regulated by top regulators, offering protection and safety measurements for traders and investors.
Can I use Automated Trading with AvaTrade?
Yes, AvaTrade provides multiple options to automate your trading. You can do so with three different trading platforms - DupliTrade trading platform which is MT4 compatible platform allowing traders to automatically follow experienced traders’ signals and strategies in real time (social/copy trading), the ZuluTrade trading platform and the popular MetaTrader 4.
