Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA vs AvaTrade, 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.
OANDA and AvaTrade are well-recognized online brokers with a strong presence in the financial market. Founded in 1996, OANDA has established itself as a trusted entity, holding seven Tier-1 licenses. This reflects its commitment to maintaining high regulatory standards. AvaTrade, founded in 2006, also shows a substantial level of trustworthiness with four Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers are not publicly traded and do not operate as banks, focusing solely on providing comprehensive trading services.
When considering trust scores, OANDA has earned a highly respectable rating of 93 out of 99, indicating a strong level of security and reliability. AvaTrade slightly surpasses this with a score of 94 out of 99, showcasing its dedication to maintaining a secure trading environment. These scores suggest that both OANDA and AvaTrade are considered highly trusted brokers, offering traders a secure platform backed by solid regulatory credentials.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commission and fee structures of online brokers OANDA and AvaTrade, OANDA generally charges higher forex trading costs with noticeable spreads on its default and core pricing models. Although OANDA is not a discount broker, it stands out with its automated execution across account offerings. The bid/ask spreads, the fees clients pay to trade, are akin to those of brokers like FOREX.com and FxPro, but OANDA’s minimum spread might occasionally be higher. For instance, in July 2024, the average non-core pricing for the EUR/USD pair was 1.61 pips. OANDA also offers core pricing with lower spreads but adds a $5 commission per $100,000 traded, making this option slightly more cost-effective than the commission-free alternative. OANDA earns a 4-star rating and is ranked #34 out of 62 brokers for its commissions and fees.
Conversely, AvaTrade offers spreads that are close to the industry average, standing at just under one pip (0.9 pips as of June 2024). While these spreads are slightly higher than those from entry-level accounts at CMC Markets and Tickmill, they remain appealing. For professional traders, AvaTrade offers even more competitive spreads at 0.6 pips on its Professional account, comparable to those at FP Markets. AvaTrade has secured a 4.5-star rating and is ranked significantly higher than OANDA, taking the #12 position among 62 brokers for commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com.
Choosing between OANDA and AvaTrade involves weighing several factors, including the pricing models and the account features offered. OANDA provides automation and transparency, extending benefits like rebates for elite traders, while AvaTrade presents tight spreads and favorable conditions for professional accounts. Ultimately, your trading preferences and account eligibility will determine which broker more closely aligns with your financial goals and strategies.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | 0.61 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
OANDA and AvaTrade both offer opportunities for forex trading, allowing clients to trade currencies as CFDs or spot contracts. When it comes to the number of tradeable symbols, OANDA provides a broader selection with 3928 symbols compared to AvaTrade's 1260. In terms of forex pairs, OANDA again leads with 68 pairs available, slightly more than AvaTrade’s 53. However, neither OANDA nor AvaTrade allows clients to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning you won't be able to buy shares like Apple or Vodafone directly through them.
For those interested in cryptocurrency, OANDA offers the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies as well as derivatives, whereas AvaTrade offers only cryptocurrency derivatives. Both brokers support copy trading, which can be a benefit for those looking to mimic successful trading strategies. Overall, both brokers receive strong reviews for their range of investments, with each earning 4 out of 5 stars. Despite this, OANDA is ranked slightly higher at #27 compared to AvaTrade’s #32 in the Range of Investments category as per ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 the trading platforms and tools of OANDA and AvaTrade, both brokers provide a wide range of features designed to meet the needs of traders. OANDA and AvaTrade each offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without risk. Both brokers also have proprietary platforms developed in-house, alongside Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browser trading options. Additionally, they support popular third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). For those interested in copy trading, both platforms are equipped with this feature. However, AvaTrade offers more diversity in this area with support for DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, while OANDA does not. AvaTrade also slightly edges out OANDA in platform ratings, with a score of 4.5 stars compared to OANDA's 4 stars and ranks #13 among 62 brokers for their tools and platforms, notably higher than OANDA's #16 rank.
For charting enthusiasts, AvaTrade and OANDA both offer trading directly from stock charts. OANDA provides 431 drawing tools, far surpassing AvaTrade's offering of 13, which might be attractive to traders who seek more extensive charting capabilities. However, AvaTrade offers one more column for watchlists, totaling seven compared to OANDA's six. These features reflect AvaTrade’s commitment to delivering user-friendly and comprehensive trading experiences. Overall, both OANDA and AvaTrade present competitive platforms that furnish traders with tools for success, though AvaTrade's slightly broader offerings and higher ratings may tip the balance for some traders seeking more diverse functionality.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 81 | 80 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 13 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of OANDA and AvaTrade, both offer robust features for trading on the go. Each platform is equipped with iPhone and Android apps, allowing users to manage their accounts on their preferred devices. Both brokers provide stock or forex price alerts, giving traders timely updates. A key difference lies in the synchronization of watchlists; AvaTrade's app allows seamless syncing with an online account, while OANDA does not offer this feature. In terms of charting tools, OANDA provides 30 technical studies and supports trendlines, time frame viewing, and automatically saves chart drawings. AvaTrade, however, excels in charting capabilities with 73 technical studies, though it does not auto-save chart annotations. Both apps allow the creation of real-time watchlists.
In terms of user ratings, OANDA has earned a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, placing it 7th among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, demonstrating strong customer approval for its intuitive and efficient mobile experience. AvaTrade, although rated slightly lower at 4.5 stars, still offers a commendable mobile trading experience, ranked 13th in the same review. Both apps deliver essential tools and accessibility, but depending on individual preferences for features like symbol syncing and chart auto-saving, one platform may better align with specific trading strategies and needs.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
OANDA and AvaTrade offer distinct research features that cater to different trading needs. OANDA provides daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. It also includes tools from Autochartist, making it a solid choice for traders who rely on technical analysis. While AvaTrade matches OANDA in offering forex news and sentiment-based trading tools, it provides unique insights through Trading Central instead of Autochartist. Both platforms offer economic calendars to track global events, but OANDA's range of research services has earned it a higher rating of 5 stars compared to AvaTrade's 4 stars.
When assessed by ForexBrokers.com, OANDA is notably positioned at rank #5 out of 62 brokers in the Research category, reflecting its comprehensive offering. In contrast, AvaTrade holds rank #34, suggesting that while dependable, it may not cover the extensive resources some traders might require. Without extras like TipRanks or Acuity Trading's services from either broker, traders should weigh their priorities in daily commentary, technical tools, and market insights when choosing between OANDA and AvaTrade.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 for beginners, both OANDA and AvaTrade offer a wealth of materials designed to help new traders learn the ropes of forex and CFDs trading. Each platform provides over ten educational pieces, covering the basics and complexities of trading, through a mix of articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, both brokers conduct monthly online webinars and offer a searchable library of these sessions for continued learning at one's own pace. Beginners can benefit from over ten introductory videos on each platform, making it easy to grasp trading fundamentals through visual learning.
For those more experienced, advanced educational videos are available, with both OANDA and AvaTrade offering more than ten in-depth sessions to deepen trading knowledge. An investor dictionary boasting definitions of more than 50 terms is a common feature as well, supporting users in understanding industry jargon. While both brokers are generous with educational content, OANDA edges slightly ahead with a 5-star educational rating, compared to AvaTrade's 4-star rating. However, AvaTrade impressively ranks #2 out of 62 brokers for education, compared to OANDA's ranking at #22, illustrating their strong emphasis on educational excellence.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 OANDA is better than AvaTrade. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
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AvaTrade
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 94 |
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OANDA allows users to buy actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas AvaTrade only provides options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives without offering the delivery of actual cryptocurrencies.
OANDA provides a broader range of fund transfer options, including ACH and SEPA, along with PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas AvaTrade supports fund transfers via PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH and SEPA transfer capabilities.
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 | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | AvaTrade Review |
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| Regulation | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 94 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | 0.61 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 81 | 80 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 13 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | OANDA Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | OANDA | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | AvaTrade Review |
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