Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs BlackBull Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets are both reputable online brokers, but they differ in regulatory coverage and trust ratings. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is not publicly traded or a bank, yet it stands out with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 94, highlighting a high level of trust. This strong standing is supported by AvaTrade's possession of four Tier-1 regulations and three Tier-2 licenses, indicating a highly trusted platform as per industry standards.
On the other hand, BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, also operates outside of the stock exchange and banking sectors. While it holds one Tier-1 license, it lacks Tier-2 licenses, giving it a Trust Score of 78, which reflects an average risk level according to ForexBrokers.com. This comparison points to AvaTrade as the more secure option between the two, given its more extensive regulatory approvals and higher trust rating.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
AvaTrade offers competitive spreads that are near the industry average. For most accounts, the spread is slightly below one pip (0.9 pips as of June 2024), which is a little higher compared to the entry-level options at platforms like CMC Markets and Tickmill. Professional traders can benefit from more favorable conditions, as the spreads on AvaTrade’s Professional account are set at 0.6 pips, which aligns closely with those offered by FP Markets. AvaTrade earns a commendable 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks 12th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
BlackBull Markets presents variable trading costs contingent on the account type chosen. The Prime account stands out with an average spread of 0.16 pips on the EUR/USD, translating to a total cost of 0.76 pips when including the per-side commission of 0.3 pips or $6 per 10,000 traded. This makes it a preferred choice if you're comfortable with a $2,000 minimum deposit. While the Standard account discards commission fees and minimum deposit requirements, it comes with higher spreads. Furthermore, for more exclusive trading needs, the ECN Institutional account offers modest commissions of $4 per round turn but necessitates a substantial $20,000 deposit. BlackBull Markets also garners a 4.5-star rating in this category, reflecting its competitiveness, and is ranked 18th by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 0.71 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of investment options available, AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets each offer a solid array of opportunities for traders, but they differ significantly in their breadth. AvaTrade provides traders with access to 1,260 tradeable symbols, including 53 forex pairs, and offers forex trading as both CFDs and spot contracts. While AvaTrade does provide pathways for crypto investments via cryptocurrency derivatives, it lacks the option to purchase actual U.S. or international exchange-traded securities, such as stocks like Apple or Vodafone. AvaTrade supports copy trading, allowing users to mimic the strategies of more seasoned traders.
On the other hand, BlackBull Markets stands out with an impressive offering of 26,000 tradeable symbols, including 72 forex pairs, providing forex trading both as CFDs and spot contracts. It also enables clients to buy actual U.S. and international stocks, which is a significant advantage for investors looking to diversify their portfolios beyond CFDs. Like AvaTrade, BlackBull Markets does not allow the purchase of physical cryptocurrencies but does offer cryptocurrency derivatives. Both platforms include copy trading capabilities. For its expansive range of investments, BlackBull Markets earns a 5-star rating and stands at #6 in the Range of Investments category among 62 brokers, as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, while AvaTrade receives a 4-star rating and ranks #32.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets, both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, catering to traders who want to practice risk-free. AvaTrade stands out with its proprietary platform, providing a unique experience tailored to its users, whereas BlackBull Markets relies on established platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are both offered by AvaTrade as well. Another advantage of AvaTrade is its compatibility with both DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, whereas BlackBull Markets only supports ZuluTrade. Both brokers provide Windows-based and web-based platforms, ensuring flexible access to trading. AvaTrade offers a notable seven columns for watch lists, one more than BlackBull Markets, enhancing personalized monitoring options.
Technical tools for charting are extensive with both brokers, but AvaTrade provides 13 drawing tools compared to a more robust suite of 60 offered by BlackBull Markets, allowing for more intricate analyses. Both companies support direct trading from stock charts, enhancing ease of use. In terms of ratings, AvaTrade scores slightly higher with 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, compared to BlackBull Markets' 4 stars. Furthermore, AvaTrade holds a superior rank, coming in at #13 compared to BlackBull Markets' #29 out of 62 brokers, indicating AvaTrade's notable strength in trading platforms and tools according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets provide convenient mobile trading apps compatible with both iPhone and Android devices. Users of either app can benefit from receiving timely stock or forex price alerts, along with syncing their watchlists across devices for seamless account management. While both apps support various time frames for chart analysis and allow drawing of trendlines, AvaTrade distinguishes itself with a higher number of charting technical studies, offering 73 compared to BlackBull Markets' 30. This provides traders using AvaTrade a broader array of analytical tools.
In terms of usability features, BlackBull Markets offers the advantage of auto-saving chart annotations, a feature not available with AvaTrade's app. Both platforms allow for the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. When evaluating overall user satisfaction, AvaTrade scores slightly higher with a rating of 4.5 stars, compared to BlackBull Markets' 4 stars. Additionally, AvaTrade holds a stronger position on ForexBrokers.com, ranked at #13 for mobile trading apps, whereas BlackBull Markets is positioned at #31. These distinctions make AvaTrade a favored choice for traders prioritizing a more feature-rich charting experience.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research offerings, AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets each have distinct strengths that cater to different trading needs. AvaTrade shines in providing access to forex news from premium sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders get high-quality insights. Additionally, AvaTrade integrates tools from Trading Central for comprehensive technical analysis and offers a sentiment-based trading tool that helps traders see the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. An economic calendar is also available to keep traders informed about global news events. However, AvaTrade does not feature daily market commentary or tools from Autochartist, missing out on some specialized research functionalities.
In contrast, BlackBull Markets offers daily market commentary that can be invaluable for traders looking for timely insights. It also incorporates powerful tools from Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis, which many traders find beneficial. Similar to AvaTrade, BlackBull Markets provides a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar. While BlackBull lacks forex news from top-tier sources and tools from Trading Central, its comprehensive daily updates and analysis tools position it well in the market. Notably, BlackBull Markets ranks higher in research on ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #18 compared to AvaTrade's #34, despite both having an equal rating of 4 stars out of 5.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets both excel in providing educational resources for beginners eager to learn about forex and CFDs trading. They each offer an array of over 10 educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on these trading subjects. Whether you're just starting or looking to sharpen your skills, both brokers ensure you have access to monthly online webinars that are both live and archived for further learning. Moreover, AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets go beyond the basics by providing extensive educational videos, catering to both novice and advanced traders. A handy investor dictionary offering definitions of more than 50 investing terms is also available through each platform, helping beginners master the financial jargon they encounter.
Where the two brokers slightly differ is in their recognition for educational content quality, as indicated by their ratings and rankings from ForexBrokers.com. Both AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets boast a solid educational rating of 4 stars, reflecting their commitment to educating traders. However, AvaTrade stands out significantly in its ranking, securing the second spot out of 62 brokers, compared to BlackBull Markets' 29th position. This suggests that while both platforms offer comprehensive educational tools, AvaTrade is regarded more highly in the industry, possibly providing a slight edge for beginners seeking top-tier educational resources.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that AvaTrade is better than BlackBull Markets. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, as well as exceptional educational content that helped it nab Best in Class honors for Beginners in the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
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BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 78 |
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Both AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets do not offer the purchase of actual (delivered) cryptocurrency but provide options to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
When comparing online brokers AvaTrade and BlackBull Markets, both platforms support Visa/Mastercard and bank wire transactions, but AvaTrade uniquely offers PayPal alongside Skrill, while BlackBull Markets only provides Skrill, with neither offering ACH or SEPA transfer options.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 78 | |
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| Review | AvaTrade Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 0.71 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | AvaTrade Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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