My Review of the AvaTrade Platform (April 2025)

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Please note that AvaTrade services may not be available in the United States. For exact eligibility requirements, we recommend that you consult the official AvaTrade website directly.

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Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is an online broker specializing in CFD and vanilla options trading. Present in the markets for over 15 years, it is regulated by several recognized financial authorities including the Central Bank of Ireland and ASIC in Australia.

I spent several months thoroughly testing AvaTrade, analyzing its tools, fees, and the quality of its overall user experience with the goal of answering these questions: Is AvaTrade reliable? What are its advantages and disadvantages? Is it suitable for beginner traders or experienced investors? What are its features compared to other regulated brokers in the United States?

To gain a clearer understanding, I examined every aspect of the broker: registration and account opening, fees and trading conditions, diversity of available assets, platform ergonomics, analysis tools, and services offered to traders.

Here is my complete review of AvaTrade in comparison to other online brokers that I have tested.

What to think of AvaTrade?

My overall opinion on AvaTrade

After several months of testing, I can say that AvaTrade is a reliable and well-structured broker, especially suitable for active traders who want to speculate via CFDs. What I particularly appreciated is the diversity of platforms: MetaTrader 4 and 5 for classic trading, AvaTradeGO for mobile (smooth and ergonomic), and AvaOptions for working on more complex strategies with vanilla options.

The broker is regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and properly registered with the SEC, which immediately reassured me. The score of 4.5/5 on Trustpilot (based on over 9,000 reviews) also reflects this solidity.

On the asset side, there is access to over 1,250 instruments – Forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptos – only via CFD. It is therefore an environment clearly designed for short-term trading with leverage. If you are looking to invest long-term in physical stocks or ETFs, this will not be the right platform. I advise you in this case to turn to a broker like eToro or an online broker like Degiro.

Finally, the spreads are competitive (0.9 pip on EUR/USD in standard accounts), and the absence of direct commissions makes the trading experience simple to follow.

=> In summary, if like me you trade regularly and are looking for a serious platform with a good range of tools, AvaTrade is an option that I recommend.

Which trader profiles is AvaTrade suitable for?

In my opinion, AvaTrade is particularly suitable for: 

=> For novice traders who wish to learn and take their first steps into the world of trading with personalized support from a dedicated advisor and the possibility of accessing a free demo account giving access to a virtual capital of $10,000. Novice traders also benefit from the possibility of practicing copy trading and copying the strategies of the best traders with the Duplitrade and Zulutrade platforms. Finally, AvaTrade also provides new traders with webinars, guides and market analysis. 

=> For active and regular traders with a wide choice of CFD assets, competitive spreads, and no commission on transactions. The MetaTrader 4 & 5 platforms, as well as the AvaTrade Go app, also offer fast order execution and advanced risk management tools ideal for swing trading and day trading.

=> For copy traders with DupliTrade and ZuluTrade platforms accessible at no additional cost.

On the other hand, AvaTrade will not be suitable for long-term investors who will not find stocks or ETFs for direct purchase, nor for scalpers and high-frequency traders who may be hindered by certain spreads slightly above average.

AvaTrade in a few seconds is:

My Opinion on the Security and Reliability of AvaTrade Broker

AvaTrade is a broker that I found particularly reassuring to use, especially thanks to the quality of its regulation and the clarity of its commitments regarding the protection of funds. Here are the key elements to remember:

My review of the fees, spreads and commissions applied on AvaTrade

From my experience, AvaTrade offers simple and fairly competitive pricing, especially if you're looking to avoid fixed fees. The broker doesn't charge any commissions on CFDs, which makes understanding the fees clearer: everything goes through the spreads. For me, this is a real strength, especially for active traders who want to keep control of their costs.

I also appreciated that Copy Trading is completely free, whether via AvaSocial, ZuluTrade, or DupliTrade. This allows you to follow other traders without additional fees, which is far from the case with all brokers.

Now, let's look at the fees item by item to see what it actually amounts to.

What are the account fees?

I found the conditions to be quite fair overall. The minimum deposit of $100 remains accessible, especially compared to brokers like FXCM or Pepperstone. Withdrawals are free, which is rare and appreciated.

On the other hand, the inactivity fees surprised me: $50 every 3 months is clearly above average.

Tip #1

Easily avoid inactivity fees. If you don't trade regularly, consider placing an order or withdrawing your funds before 3 months of inactivity. Personally, I simply open a small position or withdraw my balance to avoid losing $200 per year unnecessarily.

What are the fees on stocks and ETFs?

AvaTrade does not offer stocks or ETFs for direct purchase. All of these assets are tradable only in CFD form, which involves specific fees associated with this type of product.

If your goal is to hold stocks or ETFs directly for the long term, AvaTrade will not be suitable. Personally, for this type of investment, I prefer eToro or DEGIRO. However, for short-term trading with leverage, the fees at AvaTrade remain competitive.

What are the fees on cryptocurrencies?

At AvaTrade, cryptocurrency trading is done exclusively through CFDs. No actual purchase, no wallet, and therefore no custody or transfer fees as on a traditional exchange.

I found the fees reasonable for short-term trading, but if you're looking to buy and hold your cryptos, you're better off using a specialized platform like Binance or Kraken.

AvaTrade remains a good option if you want to speculate on price variations with leverage (up to x2 for retail clients).

What are the fees on CFDs?

Overall, I found AvaTrade's spreads to be very fair, especially on Forex and indices. On gold, oil, and cryptos, the conditions remain competitive, even if some specialized brokers offer slightly tighter spreads. What I appreciated is that everything is clear and displayed in advance: no unpleasant surprises. For short-term strategies, it's a solid environment.

✅Good to know

The maximum leverage depends on the asset and is subject to local regulations: in the United States, it varies based on the asset and the broker's policies. It is important to check with the specific broker for their leverage offerings.

Overnight fees apply to CFDs for all positions held open after market close. These fees vary depending on the underlying asset and market conditions.

My opinion on the assets & markets available on AvaTrade

I found AvaTrade's offering to be well-balanced for a CFD broker. The choice of assets is more than sufficient to build strategies on the main asset classes, including Forex, indices, and international stocks. The addition of vanilla options via AvaOptions is a real plus if you have a more technical profile, as few generalist brokers offer this type of instrument.

That being said, if you're looking to invest long-term in physical stocks or ETFs, AvaTrade won't be suitable. Here, everything is designed for active trading with leverage. Personally, I've used it for Forex and indices, and I've found the market depth and responsiveness to be very good.

Vanilla Options on AvaTrade

One of the aspects of AvaTrade that initially intrigued me the most was the possibility of trading vanilla options, a product rarely offered by classic CFD brokers. I tested this feature via their dedicated platform AvaOptions, and I must say that if you have a slightly more technical profile, it's a powerful tool.

Vanilla options allow you to speculate or hedge on Forex pairs (and some precious metals like gold or silver), by choosing a strike price and an expiration date. Unlike CFDs, you can structure complex strategies (such as straddles, strangles, or spreads), which gives you more flexibility in risk management.

The AvaOptions platform is well-designed: clear interface, volatility charts, premium analysis, automatic calculation of potential P&L... everything is there to build your scenarios. But be careful, this is not a product for beginners: it is better to have some solid basics in risk management and market reading before you start.

My opinion on the platform

Frankly, I found AvaTrade to be very comprehensive platform-wise. If you're already familiar with MetaTrader, you'll feel right at home. For those who prefer a more modern interface, AvaTrade GO does the job well, especially on the go. Order placement is smooth: I choose my asset, set my stops, leverage, and off I go. Special mention to the AvaOptions platform if you want to test more advanced strategies with vanilla options.

Tip #2

Test in demo mode before risking your capital. With $100,000 virtual funds on the demo account, I was able to try different order types and refine my settings without pressure. This is ideal for understanding the impact of leverage or the volatility of the Forex market before going live. A really useful break-in period, especially if you're new to MetaTrader or options.

Customer Reviews: What Users Think of AvaTrade

AvaTrade enjoys an excellent reputation with its users, with an average of 4.5/5 based on over 9,000 reviews on Trustpilot. The most frequently mentioned positive points are the quality of customer service, the speed of withdrawals, and the ease of use of the AvaTrade GO platform. Many also appreciate the smooth registration process and the availability of advisors.

On the criticism side, the inactivity fees ($50 after 3 months) are regularly cited as a drawback, especially for occasional users. Some comments also mention longer delays for account validation, particularly during periods of high demand.

Examples of customer reviews: 

• Jean-Luc (February 20, 2024) « Top-notch customer service. Quick and efficient response by phone. Very satisfied with the follow-up. »
• Mickaël (March 15, 2024) « Intuitive and easy-to-use application. Ideal for beginners in trading. I recommend it! »
• Marc (January 3, 2024) « I requested a withdrawal on a Monday, the money was in my bank account on Wednesday. Nothing to complain about. »

Account Opening, Deposits, and Withdrawals on AvaTrade

Account Opening

Opening an account with AvaTrade is 100% online and quite fast. In a few minutes, you can create a demo account and start exploring the platform.

Steps to open an account:

• Fill out the registration form: name, email, phone number, and password.
• Access the demo account: $100,000 virtual funds available without deposit.
• Complete your profile: choose your account type, complete a questionnaire about your trading experience.
• Verify your identity: send a copy of your ID + proof of address (less than 3 months old).
• Receive validation: generally within 24 to 72 hours.
• Make your first deposit: minimum $100 by credit card, bank transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or PayPal.

✅ Good to know

You can use the demo account even before validation, allowing you to test AvaTrade's tools without obligation.

Deposits and withdrawals on AvaTrade

Currencies accepted: USD, GBP, AUD (automatic conversion if needed)

Tip #3

Deposit by card or e-wallet for faster transactions. For immediate credit and the ability to react quickly to market opportunities, I recommend using a credit card or an e-wallet like PayPal or Skrill. Personally, I avoid bank transfers, which are too slow when timing is tight.

Account Types Available on AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a broker specializing in CFD trading. Therefore, it does not allow the direct purchase of stocks or ETFs through a securities account. All instruments are accessible via CFDs or vanilla options.

✅ Please note

The Standard account is the most common at AvaTrade, with access to all CFD instruments and no commission fees. The Professional account is reserved for traders who meet certain criteria (experience, available capital, trading frequency).

Conclusion: Should You Invest with AvaTrade?

After several weeks of testing AvaTrade, I can say that it is a reliable broker, well-regulated, and delivers on its performance promises. I particularly appreciated the ergonomics of the AvaTrade GO application, the quality of the tools offered on MetaTrader and WebTrader, as well as the copy trading options with ZuluTrade and DupliTrade. For those who like to go further, the AvaOptions platform also allows you to launch more advanced strategies via vanilla options.

Of course, only offering CFDs may deter some long-term investors who want to hold securities directly. But if you are an active trader with dynamic position management, AvaTrade offers competitive spreads, good execution, and an overall solid trading environment. The customer service is a real plus, especially when compared to other brokers who are often less accessible.

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.