IC Markets vs AvaTrade Brokers Compared

Expert head-to-head comparison evaluating fees, execution speeds, and regulatory safety.

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Broker Comparison Guide

Advanced Trading Broker Pricing and Execution Comparison

Learn how to compare broker spreads, commissions, execution models and trading fees, and understand which pricing structures may suit different trading needs.

Choosing a trading broker requires more than finding the lowest advertised spread. Brokers such as XTB, Plus500, eToro, IC Markets and Pepperstone offer different pricing structures, account types and trading conditions. Some use spread-based pricing, while others provide raw-spread accounts with separate commissions. Understanding these differences can help you compare the actual costs of forex and CFD trading.

Start by checking the total cost of opening and closing a trade, including spreads, commissions and any applicable financing fees. Next, review the broker's execution policy, available order types, regulatory entity and trading platform. A broker with a lower advertised spread is not necessarily cheaper once commissions and execution outcomes are considered.

For example, IC Markets and Pepperstone offer raw-spread account options with separate commissions, while Plus500 uses spread-based CFD pricing. XTB offers spread-based CFD trading, and eToro applies different fees depending on the instrument. These are starting points for comparison, not guarantees of lower costs or better execution.

Compare Total Costs Spreads, Commissions, Swaps & Other Fees
Check Execution Order Types, Slippage & Execution Policies
Step 01

Choose a Pricing Structure

Compare spread-based accounts with raw-spread accounts that charge separate commissions. XTB and Plus500 are examples of brokers offering spread-based CFD pricing, while IC Markets and Pepperstone also offer raw-spread account options. Calculate the combined spread and commission cost before comparing accounts.

Step 02

Review Execution Conditions

Check each broker's published execution policy, supported order types and available information about slippage and order handling. Consider how market volatility and liquidity may affect the final execution price. Do not assume that a raw-spread account or faster advertised execution automatically produces better trading results.

Step 03

Match the Broker to Your Needs

Frequent traders may place greater importance on combined spreads and commissions, while traders holding CFD positions overnight should examine financing charges carefully. Also compare platform functionality, available markets, minimum deposits and regulation. Choose based on your actual requirements rather than a broker's headline pricing claim.

Advanced Trading Brokers Ranking

Compare brokers by raw spreads, commissions, trading platforms, account types and published execution conditions.

🏆 TOP RANKED FOR ADVANCED TRADING

IC Markets

★★★★★ 4.8/5
Min Deposit:$200
Regulation:ASIC, CySEC, SCB
Trading Fees:$3.50/side
Platforms:MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Open Account →

73.46% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Exness

★★★★☆ 4.5/5
Min Deposit:$10
Regulation:FCA, CySEC, FSA
Trading Fees:Zero / $3.50/side
Platforms:MT4, MT5, Exness Trade App
Open Account →

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

XTB

★★★★★ 4.7/5
Min Deposit:$0
Regulation:FCA, CySEC, KNF
Trading Fees:Low Spreads / Zero Commission
Platforms:xStation 5, xStation Mobile
Open Account →

74% of retail CFD accounts lose money

XM

★★★★☆ 4.5/5
Min Deposit:$5
Regulation:CySEC, ASIC, DFSA
Trading Fees:Low Spreads
Platforms:MT4, MT5, XM App
Open Account →

76.15% of retail CFD accounts lose money

AvaTrade

★★★★☆ 4.6/5
Min Deposit:$100
Regulation:CBI, ASIC, FSCA
Trading Fees:Zero Commission
Platforms:MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO
Open Account →

57% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Plus500

★★★★★ 4.7/5
Min Deposit:$100
Regulation:FCA, ASIC, CySEC (#250/14)
Trading Fees:Zero Commission (additional fees may apply)
Platforms:Proprietary Web, Mobile App
Open Account →

82% of retail CFD accounts lose money

eToro

★★★★☆ 4.5/5
Min Deposit:$50
Regulation:FCA, CySEC, ASIC
Trading Fees:Spread-based
Platforms:eToro Web, Mobile App
Open Account →

51% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Broker Rating Trading Fees Min Deposit Regulation Platforms Action
IC Markets Raw Spreads & Advanced Platforms
🏆 TOP RANKED FOR ADVANCED TRADING 		4.8 / 5 (★★★★★) $3.50/side Raw | $0 Standard $200 ASIC, CySEC, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView Open Account →
73.46% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Exness Flexible Account Pricing
4.5 / 5 (★★★★☆) Zero / Up to $3.50/side $10 FCA, CySEC, FSA MT4, MT5, Exness Trade App Open Account →
74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
XTB Top Web Platform
4.7 / 5 (★★★★★) Low Spreads / Zero Commission $0 FCA, CySEC, KNF xStation 5, xStation Mobile Open Account →
74% of retail CFD accounts lose money
XM Low Entry
4.5 / 5 (★★★★☆) Low (from 0.6 pips) $5 CySEC, ASIC, DFSA MT4, MT5, XM App Open Account →
76.15% of retail CFD accounts lose money
AvaTrade Multi-Regulated
4.6 / 5 (★★★★☆) Zero Commission (Fixed Spreads) $100 CBI, ASIC, FSCA MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO Open Account →
57% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Plus500 CFD Specialist
4.7 / 5 (★★★★★) Zero Commission (additional fees may apply) $100 FCA, ASIC, CySEC (#250/14) Proprietary Web, Mobile App Open Account →
82% of retail CFD accounts lose money
eToro Social Trading
4.5 / 5 (★★★★☆) Spread-based & Crypto fees $50 FCA, CySEC, ASIC eToro Web, Mobile App Open Account →
51% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Key Factors We Evaluate When Comparing Brokers

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1. Broker Pricing, Spreads & Commissions

We compare broker pricing structures, including variable and fixed spreads, trading commissions, and additional account fees. Some brokers offer raw-spread accounts with separate commissions, while others incorporate trading costs into wider spreads. Evaluating the total cost of trading helps identify meaningful differences between forex, CFD, and stock brokers.

2. Regulation & Client Fund Protection

Regulatory oversight is a key consideration when comparing online brokers. We examine the regulatory entities under which brokers operate, including authorities such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. Client fund segregation, negative balance protection, compensation arrangements, and other safeguards may differ depending on the broker's legal entity, jurisdiction, and account type.

3. Advanced Trading Platforms & Tools

We assess the trading platforms and analytical tools available through each broker, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView integrations, and proprietary platforms where supported. Important considerations include charting capabilities, technical indicators, automated trading functionality, order management tools, and platform accessibility across desktop and mobile devices.

4. Minimum Deposits, Funding & Withdrawals

We review minimum deposit requirements, available payment methods, deposit and withdrawal fees, and published processing times. Funding conditions can vary by broker, account type, payment provider, and country. Understanding these differences helps traders compare account accessibility and the potential costs associated with moving funds.

5. Trade Execution Quality & Slippage

Order execution is an important factor when evaluating brokers, particularly during periods of increased market volatility. We consider available information about execution models, order types, execution speed, price slippage, and requotes. Actual execution quality can vary with liquidity, market conditions, instrument selection, and order size.

6. Overnight Financing & Additional Trading Fees

Trading costs can extend beyond spreads and commissions. We examine overnight financing charges, swap rates, currency conversion fees, inactivity fees, and other applicable account costs. These charges may differ significantly between brokers and financial instruments, making them important considerations when comparing overall pricing.

In-Depth Broker Analysis

Why We Do Head-to-Head Broker Comparisons

Comparing forex, CFD, and stock brokers side by side to highlight the differences in trading costs, regulation, platforms, and execution.

Choosing between two online brokers requires more than comparing promotional offers or advertised spreads. Brokers can differ significantly in their trading fees, regulatory oversight, available markets, execution policies, and platform capabilities. Our head-to-head broker comparisons bring these differences together in one place, helping readers evaluate competing trading providers using consistent criteria.

Each broker-versus-broker comparison focuses on practical questions: Which broker offers more competitive trading costs? How do their regulatory protections differ? Which trading platforms and account types are available? What should traders know about execution quality, deposits, and withdrawals? By examining these factors side by side, we help readers identify the advantages, limitations, and potential trade-offs of each broker before making a decision.

Direct Side-by-Side Broker Comparisons
Key Factors Trading Costs, Regulation & Platforms
Approach 01

Compare Competing Brokers

We examine forex, CFD, and stock brokers that readers may be considering as alternatives, comparing their available markets, account types, regulatory entities, and trading platforms to identify meaningful differences.

Approach 02

Evaluate Trading Costs & Execution

We compare published spreads, commissions, overnight financing charges, and other applicable fees. We also examine available information about order execution, slippage, platform features, and trading conditions, while recognizing that actual costs and execution can vary.

Approach 03

Highlight Strengths & Trade-Offs

Our comparisons explain where each broker may have advantages or limitations, including pricing, platform functionality, available instruments, and account requirements. The goal is to help readers make informed comparisons based on their location, trading needs, and priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions: Broker Head-to-Head Comparisons

Which forex broker has the lowest spreads for scalping?

Forex brokers such as IC Markets and Pepperstone offer raw-spread account options that may advertise spreads starting from 0.0 pips on selected currency pairs. However, the lowest advertised spread does not necessarily mean the lowest overall trading cost. Scalpers should compare typical spreads, commissions, execution policies, slippage, and available trading platforms. Actual trading costs depend on market conditions, account type, and the instruments traded.

What is the difference between ECN execution and market makers?

An Electronic Communication Network (ECN) connects market participants through an electronic trading system, while a market maker provides quoted prices and may act as the counterparty to client transactions. Some brokers use different execution arrangements depending on the instrument and account type. Neither model automatically guarantees better prices or faster execution. Traders should review each broker's execution policy, spreads, commissions, and potential conflicts of interest.

Can I deposit less than $100 to start trading CFDs?

Some CFD brokers offer accounts with minimum deposit requirements below $100. For example, brokers such as XM and Exness may offer low minimum deposits on eligible account types. However, deposit requirements vary by country, account type, and payment method. A low minimum deposit does not reduce the inherent risks of leveraged CFD trading, and the amount required to open an account may differ from the margin needed to maintain a position.

Are brokers regulated in multiple jurisdictions safer than offshore brokers?

Brokers operating under established financial regulators may be subject to stronger oversight, capital requirements, and client protection rules. Examples include the FCA in the United Kingdom, ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cyprus, and the DFSA in Dubai. However, a broker holding multiple licenses does not mean every customer receives the same protections. The applicable safeguards depend on the specific legal entity holding the account, its regulator, and local regulations. Regulation reduces certain risks but does not eliminate trading or broker-related risks.

Which trading platform is better: MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or cTrader?

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is widely used for forex trading and supports custom indicators, automated strategies through Expert Advisors, and technical analysis tools. cTrader offers a modern interface, advanced charting, order management features, and depth-of-market functionality where available. The better platform depends on trading preferences, broker support, available instruments, and the specific tools required. Platform features and execution conditions can also differ between brokers.

Are there additional fees when withdrawing funds from a CFD broker?

Withdrawal fees vary between CFD brokers and payment methods. Some brokers offer fee-free withdrawals through selected payment options, while others may charge processing fees or apply minimum withdrawal requirements. Banks and payment providers can also impose currency conversion charges or intermediary fees. Before opening an account, review the broker's published withdrawal conditions, supported payment methods, and expected processing times.

How do overnight swap rates affect longer-term CFD trading?

Overnight financing charges, often called swap fees, may apply when leveraged forex or CFD positions remain open beyond a broker's daily rollover time. Depending on the instrument and position, financing adjustments may be charged or credited. These costs can accumulate over multiple days and affect overall trading results. Some brokers offer swap-free accounts under specific conditions, although alternative administrative charges or restrictions may apply.

Is social copy trading safe for beginners?

Social copy trading allows users to automatically replicate the trading activity of other investors or strategy providers. Platforms such as eToro and other brokers may offer copy trading features, depending on the region and account type. However, copying another trader does not guarantee positive returns or protection from losses. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results, and copied strategies may involve leverage, concentration risk, and substantial market exposure. Users should understand the underlying risks and the platform's available controls before considering copy trading.