Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs Markets.com, 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 Markets.com are notable players in the online brokerage arena, each bringing unique strengths to the table. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade has established itself as a highly trusted platform with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 94. It holds 4 Tier-1 licenses, which signals a high level of safety and reliability, along with 3 Tier-2 licenses. In contrast, Markets.com, founded in 1999, is also highly trusted, boasting a Trust Score of 93. While it holds 3 Tier-1 licenses, it has fewer Tier-2 licenses, possessing only one.
Neither AvaTrade nor Markets.com is publicly traded or operates as a bank, serving a more focused clientele seeking dedicated brokerage services. Both platforms maintain favorable trust perceptions in the trading community, but AvaTrade edges slightly ahead in regulatory credentials with a stronger lineup of Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses. This distinction may appeal to traders prioritizing regulation and trust in their choice of broker.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
AvaTrade offers a competitive commission and fee structure, making it an appealing choice for traders. With spreads slightly below the industry average at 0.9 pips as of June 2024, AvaTrade provides cost-effective trading even though it falls slightly short compared to entry-level accounts at CMC Markets and Tickmill. Professional traders with AvaTrade can benefit from even lower spreads at 0.6 pips, which aligns closely with the offers from FP Markets. AvaTrade has earned a commendable 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks an impressive 12th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Markets.com does not provide specific average spread data, which makes it challenging for traders to assess its competitiveness purely on numbers. Despite this, Markets.com holds a decent 3.5-star rating in terms of commissions and fees. However, it ranks 49th out of 62 brokers in this category, indicating there might be more favorable options available for commission-conscious traders.
When choosing between the two, AvaTrade stands out with its more transparent and competitive fee structure. It not only garners a higher star rating but also secures a much better standing in industry rankings, suggesting a well-rounded approach to commissions and fees that can benefit both regular and professional traders alike.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | N/A |
| 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 comparing AvaTrade and Markets.com, both offer CFD trading for forex, providing flexibility for traders seeking opportunities in the currency markets. AvaTrade presents 1260 tradeable symbols with 53 forex pairs, while Markets.com has a wider selection of 2179 tradeable symbols, including 57 forex pairs. Neither broker provides options to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning traders can't directly buy shares like Apple or Vodafone. Despite this limitation, both platforms make copy trading available, catering to investors who prefer to mirror experienced traders' strategies.
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts will find that both AvaTrade and Markets.com allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers actual cryptocurrency purchase. Ranked by ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade stands at #32, and Markets.com at #29 out of 62 brokers for Range of Investments, each earning a respectable 4-star rating. This similarity suggests both brokers deliver competitive investment options, although Markets.com slightly edges out AvaTrade due to its more extensive range of tradeable symbols and forex pairs.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 57 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| 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 evaluating AvaTrade and Markets.com, both brokers shine with a variety of trading platforms and tools designed for both novices and seasoned traders. They each provide a free demo account, allowing users to practice trading in a risk-free environment. Importantly, both AvaTrade and Markets.com have developed their proprietary platforms and offer a Windows-based desktop platform along with a web-based option accessible through a browser. For those interested in copy trading, both platforms support this feature. Furthermore, the highly popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms are available with both brokers. However, AvaTrade has a leg up with additional tools like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, which are not offered by Markets.com.
When it comes to technical capabilities, AvaTrade stands out with 13 drawing tools for charting compared to Markets.com's 4. Additionally, AvaTrade allows for trading directly from a stock chart, a feature not available with Markets.com. For watch list customization, AvaTrade also edges ahead, offering 7 columns as opposed to Markets.com's 6. These incremental advantages contribute to AvaTrade's higher ratings, with a 4.5-star score for Trading Platforms and Tools compared to Markets.com's 4 stars. Additionally, AvaTrade's ranking is more favorable, coming in at 13th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Markets.com ranks 26th. These distinctions make AvaTrade an appealing choice for those looking for more expansive trading tools and customization.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of AvaTrade and Markets.com, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android devices. Traders can receive stock or forex price alerts and enjoy the convenience of watchlist symbol syncing, which ensures any modifications made are automatically updated across mobile and online platforms. AvaTrade stands out with an impressive offering of 73 technical studies for charting, while Markets.com users primarily rely on the MT4 default settings as the Markets app does not provide additional technical studies. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines on charts, but AvaTrade gains an edge by offering multiple time frame views, such as daily, weekly, or intraday, a feature not available with Markets.com.
In terms of handling watchlists, both AvaTrade and Markets.com let traders create lists with real-time quotes. However, auto-saving drawings isn't a feature in either app. User evaluations reflect these differences; AvaTrade receives a commendable rating of 4.5 stars for its mobile app, ranking 13th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Markets.com garners a solid 4-star rating and holds the 33rd position. This makes AvaTrade a choice that appeals to those seeking extensive chart features and higher user satisfaction.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing AvaTrade and Markets.com for market research, both brokers offer numerous useful features for traders. Markets.com stands out by providing daily market commentary, while AvaTrade does not. However, both platforms supply forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. An edge for AvaTrade is its inclusion of tools from Trading Central, which are lacking in Markets.com. Despite this, both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools, showing traders the balance of long and short positions across instruments, alongside comprehensive economic calendars showcasing vital global news events.
While neither broker utilizes tools from Autochartist, Acuity Trading, or offers research from TipRanks, both remain well-regarded. AvaTrade and Markets.com each earn a solid 4-star rating for research. However, Markets.com ranks significantly higher in the research category on ForexBrokers.com, placing 17th out of 62 brokers compared to AvaTrade's 34th position. This notable difference in ranking suggests that while both brokers offer valuable research tools, some traders might prefer Markets.com's overall approach and additional features.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| 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.
When it comes to educational resources aimed at new traders, AvaTrade provides an extensive collection that makes it a strong contender for those eager to learn about forex and CFDs. They offer more than 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, specifically tailored for forex and CFD trading. AvaTrade also hosts online client webinars monthly and maintains a searchable archive of these recordings, making it easier for beginners to catch up on missed sessions. Additionally, AvaTrade supports traders with beginner and advanced videos on trading topics and includes a comprehensive investor dictionary with over 50 terms, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.
Markets.com, while also dedicated to educating new traders, does not match AvaTrade in terms of variety and accessibility. Despite offering monthly online webinars and more than 10 videos for both beginner and advanced traders, Markets.com lacks a significant amount of foundational content such as articles focused on forex and CFDs, and does not provide a searchable archive for past webinars. Furthermore, the absence of an expansive investor dictionary could limit beginners seeking to understand trading terminology. While both platforms are rated four stars for education, AvaTrade holds a much higher rank at number two out of 62 brokers, compared to Markets.com's rank at 34 according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 Markets.com. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 93 |
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Both AvaTrade and Markets.com do not allow the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both provide the option to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers, AvaTrade and Markets.com both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but only AvaTrade supports PayPal, while neither provides 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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 57 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
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