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AvaTrade Review: Your Ticket to the Trading Big Leagues?

By Will Ellis
Last Updated on August 14, 2024
AvaTrade Review: Your Ticket to the Trading Big Leagues?

AvaTrade is a popular online trading platform with a global presence. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade Australia has created a broker platform that appeals to all levels of traders. We decided it was time to roll up our sleeves and review AvaTrade based on our high standards.

With regulation in major global markets, our criteria are pretty tough. These include regulation, asset coverage, diversity of products, fees, user experience, and more. Let’s dive into our AvaTrade review and take a look at how it performs in key areas.

TL;DR


  • AvaTrade Australia is a highly respected online trading platform with strong regulation. 
  • AvaTrade is a leading global online broker. 
  • With AvaTrade Australia, clients benefit from a range of trading tools and assets. 
  • Multiple trading platforms and extensive learning materials are strong points for AvaTrade.
  • For social trading, AvaTrade Australia is emerging as one of the best. 
  • Versatility is a great feature with AvaTrade but diversification is limited. 
  • Some of AvaTrade’s fees are higher than average. 
  • Our overall rating is 4 out 5, making it a solid choice for most traders. Still, there’s some room for improvement in the platform.

Criteria Breakdown


The process of dissecting a broker is complex and a bit messy. There are many different pieces that factor into the overall puzzle to consider. With online brokers, there needs to be an important focus on security, transparency, and regulation. However, details like trading platforms, fees, and asset coverage are also high priorities. Before we get into the details of our AvaTrade Australia review, here’s a handy chart of the criteria we measured. You’ll also find AvaTrade’s overall score in each for a snapshot of how they stack up.

What is AvaTrade?


What AvaTrade is Best Known For

AvaTrade is a global online broker, offering a range of assets including forex and CFDs. AvaTrade has become a leader in the industry and has received numerous accolades. A few examples include Best Mobile Trading Platform in certain regions, Best Trading Features, and Best Forex App.When digging in for our AvaTrade Australia review, we found three main areas where this platform has a reputation that shines. These include regulation, copy trading, and education. Their trading platform options also stand out as the best features for this global brokerage leader.

AvaTrade Australia review for world-class trading
Source: AvaTrade Australia
AvaTrade Australia, a world-class trading platform.

Features

  1. AvaProtect: Exclusive to AvaTrade, AvaProtect is a tool that protects your financial investment – up to a million dollars. Of course, there are stipulations and a minimal hedging cost at the time of purchase. However, AvaProtect is a solid feature to minimise the risk of significant financial loss.
  2. AvaOptions: Welcome to AvaTrade’s proprietary trading platform. AvaOptions is a platform that appeals to both cautious and risk-taking traders. It has earned high marks for its user-friendliness.
  3. Copy Trading: Great for beginning traders, AvaTrade Australia offers copy trading platforms. AvaSocial is their platform that allows clients to trade right alongside experts, learning from their strategies. Social trading is a hot trading trend, making this a standout feature of AvaTrade.
  4. Learning Library: Whether you’re learning the ins and outs of trading, or are looking to polish your game, education is key.  AvaTrade offers an above-average library of learning resources for all levels.

It’s great when an online broker offers bells and whistles that enhance the trading experience. However, it’s important to use these features wisely. The best tools can’t replace thorough research and a healthy level of caution when trading. 

Pros

Solid Regulation

AvaTrade Australia offers solid regulation from multiple financial authorities around the globe. Clients can trade with confidence, knowing their investment is secure and that AvaTrade operates within specific guidelines and standards. 

Variety of Trading Platforms

This is an area where AvaTrade shines. Different trading styles demand a different platform experience. Currently, AvaTrade offers at least six platform options

Robust Social Trading Options

Learning for advanced traders is an excellent path to learning the best strategies. AvaTrade offers one of the most robust social trading platforms we’ve seen. This includes both DupliTrade and ZuluTrade platforms

Competitive Spreads for Pro Traders

AvaTrade’s competitive spreads make this online broker an attractive choice for traders who are looking to maximize profit potential. Currently, AvaTrade offers tight spreads, and up to 400:1 leverage. 

AvaTrade review, pros & cons.
Source: AvaTrade Facebook Official
AvaTrade confidence

Cons

Limited Product Portfolio

It isn’t that AvaTrade Australia offers the most limited portfolio we’ve reviewed. However, they are somewhat limited compared to other top online brokers. AvaTrade offers forex and CFDs, including indices and commodities. 

High Inactivity Fees

AvaTrade issues some of the highest inactivity fees we’ve seen. Currently, inactivity fees are charged after three months of non-use. A fee of $50 is assessed for each quarter of inactivity. For comparison, others charge an inactivity fee of $10 per month, after six months to a year of no activity. 

AvaTrade review, account evaluation.
Source: AvaTrade
AvaTrade Demo Account

Criteria Evaluation

Regulation and Security: 4.5/5

AvaTrade is regulated by multiple top-tier global financial authorities. This includes ASIC in Australia, CySec, MiFid, ADGM, FSA, and more. When shopping for an online broker, checking the broker’s regulatory standing is essential. 

Strong regulation signals there is stringent oversight and integrity in the markets. Regulation guards against unethical practices, including failing to prevent client funds or misrepresenting investment products. AvaTrade earns our respect and a solid score in this area. 

Trading Platforms: 4/5

AvaTrade aims to empower every type of trading client. As part of their commitment, they offer a number of top-performing trading platforms. This includes the popular MT4 and MT5, WebTrader, AvaSocial, AvaOptions, and the AvaTrade App. 

Each of these platforms meets a different need among traders. For example, MT4 offers a flexible trading environment for all levels of traders. MT5 is a technologically advanced platform with high-performance analytical tools. Still, many AvaTrade clients prefer WebTrader for its intuitive interface. 

AvaTrade’s proprietary platform, AvaOptions is a good choice for maximizing returns on Vanilla options. And then, there is AvaSocial, which is AvaTrade’s answer to social trading. Mac Trading versions are also available on MT4 and WebTrader. 

Asset Coverage: 3.5/5

In terms of asset coverage, AvaTrade offers a decent, but not incredibly broad range of markets. They’re primarily focused on forex and CFDs. Within CFDs, AvaTrade offers stocks, indices, commodities, crypto, and ETFs. Overall, clients have access to over 1200 trading instruments

Fees and Commissions: 3/5

Currently, AvaTrade doesn’t charge commissions on any trades. Instead, they are compensated via the Bid-Ask spread. With this, clients pay a spread when they open a position. This spread is worked into AvaTrade’s current quoted rates. 

While you’re not paying a direct commission, there are other fees that apply when you have opened an AvaTrade account. This includes an annual administration fee, except where prohibited. The current annual administration fee is $100. Additionally, AvaTrade charges a quarterly inactivity fee of $50, and an overnight premium fee

Customer Support: 4/5

AvaTrade makes it relatively easy to connect with their customer support team. Customer support is available via phone, with access lines for each country they serve. Additionally, customer support can be reached through email, chat, and WhatsApp

Not that this is directly related to customer support, but AvaTrade has a broad presence on social media. In our experience online brokers who are active on social media are more likely to be highly responsive. You can connect with AvaTrade on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Telegram. 

Educational Resources: 4.5/5

We can find a few reasons to knock AvaTrade in terms of education resources. Their library is comprehensive and covers the full spectrum of trader interests. For new traders, they offer about 50 different educational resources, covering all the basics and then some.

Within the educational library, you’ll also find resources for technical analysis, trading rules, and order types. Dig a little further and you’ll find webinars, economic indicators, and explanations for common market terms. 

All in all, AvaTrade does its due diligence in arming new traders with all the info they need. However, intermediate and advanced traders aren’t left out of the mix. There’s always something new for every level of trader to learn. 

User Experience: 4/5

If what you’re looking for is a smooth, intuitive user experience without a lot of fussiness, AvaTrade has you covered. This is a very comfortable interface for new traders, as it’s fairly streamlined. There isn’t a sharp learning curve, which is another feature that new users appreciate. 

What about intermediate and advanced traders? They will likely be pleased with the AvaTrade user experience also. However, advanced traders might prefer more complexities with a higher level of intricate tools. 

Copy Trading Options: 4.5/5

Copy trading is a strategy that allows traders to share and copy their trades with each other. With AvaTrade’s AvaSocial, trading experts put it all out on the line for the world to see. It really doesn’t matter what level of trader you are. It’s always interesting to see what the pros are doing. With AvaSocial, it’s easy to copy trades and become more comfortable in the market. This is a great platform for avoiding costly mistakes and maximising profitability. 

AvaTrade review, community reviews and expert recommendations.
Source: Facebook
AvaTrade’s community trust.

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

When looking at what an online broker’s community reviews, there’s usually a bit of everything thrown into the mix. Community reviews are important because they provide an overall snapshot of the broker’s performance. 

However, there can be some bias mixed in, slanting a person’s perspective. But, combining community reviews with expert recommendations offers a more complete picture. When we do this, AvaTrade stands on its own as a reliable online forex broker

On a positive note from both the community and experts is AvaTrade’s platform variety. This helps AvaTrade really follow through on having broad appeal. Social trading is also a major plus, as well as educational resources, especially for those new to trading. On community review sites, like TrustPilot, AvaTrade has a 4.5/5 rating with thousands of reviews. 

Coming from the pros, there’s broad recognition of AvaTrade’s robust regulatory status. It’s always a good thing when the experts agree that a broker is legit and secure. 

On the flip side, about 10% – 15% of community reviews for AvaTrade are less than positive. This is interesting because the complaints are all over the board. Usually, it’s concentrated on customer service or site performance, but here, it’s a little bit of everything. 

What are the sore points? Laggy withdrawal times, site glitches, ineffective customer service, and expensive fees top the list. 

Price

AvaTrade is mostly aligned with industry standards in terms of pricing. As we’ve mentioned earlier in this AvaTrade review, some of their fees are high in comparison to other brokers. However, their overall pricing structure falls more in line with average. 

There are no commissions, and forex and CFD fees are built into the spread. Although the minimum deposit is based on payment method and type of currency, the average is $100. For deposits and withdrawals, AvaTrade accepts credit cards, debit, wire transfers, and e-payments. Unfortunately, the e-payment methods are available for us Aussies. 

Basic withdrawals aren’t charged a fee. AvaTrade does require that 100% of the deposit amount be credited back to the original form of payment. For example, say you deposited $500 using a credit card and made a profit of $250. When withdrawing, the $500 would go back to the credit card, and you’d have a choice of withdrawal methods for the $250. 

Where to Find

You can find AvaTrade and sign up for free using this AvaTrade link. We encourage you to take some time and explore the site, including the options for trading platforms. Opening a free demo account is an effective way of familiarising yourself with the interface and offerings.

Alternatives to AvaTrade


eToro

eToro is a great alternative to AvaTrade for those interested in copy trading. eToro is respected as one of the best social trading platforms. With eToro, you can learn from the pros by mirroring their trades, and enjoy a wide range of assets. Still, eToro has its own pros and cons. You can learn more about them by reading our eToro review

Zengo Wallet

For crypto trading, our top choice of AvaTrade alternatives is Zengo Wallet. This is a non-custodial wallet that supports a good range of crypto assets. Zengo Wallet offers a user-friendly interface and an overall seamless crypto-buying experience. On the downside, Zengo Wallet is all about the crypto world, so not much opportunity for portfolio diversification here. Check out our Zengo review for more information. 

Pepperstone

Compared to AvaTrade Australia, Pepperstone is a strong competitor for those seeking fast execution and low spreads. Pepperstone can go head-to-head with AvaTrade in almost every category. We strongly suggest comparing the two when choosing a forex broker. Our Pepperstone review can help you with this process. 

Pocket Option

Pocket Option started small just a few years ago in 2017. They’ve grown to more than 100,000 active users in more than 95 countries and regions around the globe. Their vision is to make trading easy and accessible to anyone who wants in. Because they’re new, advanced traders might find some features limiting. However, for a more interactive, personalised experience, Pocket Option is a decent choice. Our Pocket Option review explains the pros and cons in more detail.

FAQ


Is AvaTrade safe and regulated?

Yes, AvaTrade is robustly regulated and you can rest assured your funds are protected. They are regulated in multiple tier-1 jurisdictions, including Australia, the EU, and Japan. AvaTrade’s regulatory status is one of the broker’s strong points that experts in the industry highlight in their reviews. 

Still, it’s important to not let a strong regulatory status lead you into a sense of full security. Nothing is bulletproof. It’s best to keep this in mind and to exercise caution before investing more than you can afford to lose. 

If you’re looking to invest with a secure broker like AvaTrade Australia, check out our guide on How to Open a Brokerage Account.

What trading platforms does AvaTrade offer?

AvaTrade Australia isn’t suffering from a shortage of trading platform options. Clients can create their own trading experience using the platform of their choice. 

  • MetaTrader 4 & 5: Popular, well-liked, and the gold standard of the industry. 
  • AvaTrade WebTrader: Web-based trading specifically for AvaTrade. 
  • AvaSocial: This is Avatrade’s social, copy trading platform. 
  • AvaTrade Mobile App: Trade on the go, wherever you are. 
  • AvaOptions: Tap into the profitability potential of options trading. 

What assets can I trade on AvaTrade?

AvaTrade offers a range of tradable assets, but not quite as many as some of their top competitors. These include forex and CFDs (stocks, indices, commodities, crypto). Sticking with AvaTrade Australia alone isn’t going to create the most diversified portfolio. Still, there’s definitely enough to keep most traders busy and happy. 

How does AvaTrade’s education centre compare to other brokers?

Most online brokers offer some level of educational resources, but they are not all created equal. AvaTrade Australia stands out as a broker that goes above and beyond with its learning resources. First, their library is extensive, covering just about every trading topic you can think of. They also offer resources for all levels of traders, and not just beginners. The explanations in each piece of educational content are clear, consistent, and full of knowledge. This level of comprehensive content has earned AvaTrade a thumbs-up in many trading communities. 

What are the main fees to be aware of with AvaTrade?

AvaTrade Australia falls in the middle-of-the-road category in terms of fees. There are no commissions, but fees are built into the spreads. As an online broker, AvaTrade has one of the highest inactivity fees of $50 per quarter. There are also premium overnight fees, and admin fees when opening an account. To see how AvaTrade compares, check out these trading platforms with the lowest fees.

Final Thoughts


As we reach the end of our AvaTrade review, we’ve covered all the ins and outs of one of the leading online brokers. There are some pros and cons to AvaTrade Australia. This fact stresses the importance of doing your own research to find the best fit. When considering which broker platform is the best for your trading goals, keep these points about AvaTrade in mind. 

  • AvaTrade is trustworthy and robustly regulated
  • This is a platform that can grow with you in your trading journey
  • Social trading/copy trading is a great way to learn from the pros
  • AvaTrade provides top-tier educational resources
  • AvaProtect is an extra layer of security in asset protection
  • Some fees are high with AvaTrade 
  • Other options are better suited for portfolio diversification

If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of trading, we suggest checking out some of our resources at Privacy Australia. How to Day Trade and Candlestick Patterns are two great places to start. At Privacy Australia, our mission is to provide you with the information and tools you need to protect your assets in a digital world. From comprehensive reviews of trading platforms to in-depth insights into VPNs, we have you covered. Consider us your trusted source of transparent information, and guide in staying safe in the digital landscape.


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