We compared eToro to AvaTrade based on trading fees, account types, customer service levels and platforms offered. As niche brokers, both providers have their own strengths but AvaTrade was considered best as explained below.
Our broker reviews are reader supported and we may receive payment when you click on a partner site. For more information, visit our About Us page.
Of the 10 criteria we looked into, the 3 key points are:
Both eToro and AvaTrade only offer a standard account (no commission) where the fee is primarily the spread. Based on the 8 most traded currency pairs, AvaTrade had the lower average spread of 1.44 vs 1.5 for eToro. Of the 50 broker standard accounts we compared, AvaTrade had the 18th cheapest fees.
Standard Account Spreads
| AvaTrade | eToro | Industry Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Average | 1.44 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| EUR/USD | 0.9 | 1 | 1.2 |
| USD/JPY | 1.3 | 1 | 1.4 |
| GBP/USD | 1.3 | 2 | 1.6 |
| AUD/USD | 1.1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| USD/CAD | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| EUR/GBP | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| EUR/JPY | 1.8 | 2 | 1.9 |
| AUD/JPY | 2.1 | 2 | 2.1 |
To understand how these lower spreads impact trading costs, we created a fee calculator below. You can select what base currency you will trade with, the trading size and the currency pair to see the resulting fee. As forex traders generally trade higher volume compared to investments like shares, fees can quickly add-up so its critical to keep these costs as low as possible.
Deposit & Withdrawal Fees
Both Avatrade and eToro do not charge any fee on most deposit methods. eToro though does charge a $5 withdrawal fee while AvaTrader has no charge. Personally, I find this fee frustrating as eToro is one of the only brokers charging traders to get their funds withdrawn.
Other Fees
Like all brokers, both AvaTrade and eToro charge an overnight fee for longer-term trades. They also both charge inactivity fees which for AvaTrade is charged when an account is not used for 3 months ($50 charge) while eToro is charged each month the account is domant at $10 per month.
Verdict
Both brokers only offer a no-commission standard account of which AvaTrade offers the lower spreads. With eToro having generally higher additional fees such as a withdrawal fee the lower fee broker is AvaTrade compared to eToro.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Account Spreads | Lowest 36% | Lowest 46% |
| Deposit Fees | No Charge | No Charge |
| Withdrawal Fees | No Charge | $5 per withdrawal |
| Inactivity Fee | $50 per 3 months | $10 per month |
| Trading Platform | AvaTrade | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 | Yes | No |
| cTrader | No | No |
| TradingView | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
1. MetaTrader 4 and 5
AvaTrade supports both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, two of the most popular trading platforms in the forex industry. eToro, on the other hand, offers its proprietary eToro platform, which is known for its social trading feature.
2. cTrader and TradingView
While AvaTrade does not support cTraderor TradingView, eToro does not offer these platforms either. Both brokers have chosen to focus on other platforms that offer unique features.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 | Yes | No |
| cTrader | No | No |
| TradingView | No | No |
| Other Platforms | AvaTradeGo AvaOptions |
No |
| VPS Services | Yes | No |
3. Social And Copy Trading
This is where eToro shines. eToro’s platform is built around social trading, allowing traders to follow and copy the trades of successful investors. AvaTrade does not offer a similar feature.
4. VPS and Other Trading Tools
AvaTrade offers free VPS services to its clients, along with other trading tools like Autochartist and DupliTrade. eToro does not offer VPS or these specific trading tools.
Verdict: AvaTrade offers a more diverse range of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and 5, and provides additional trading tools like VPS, Autochartist, and DupliTrade. eToro, however, excels in social trading with its proprietary platform.
AvaTrade offers a Standard Account, a Demo Account, and an Islamic Account. eToro, on the other hand, offers a Standard Account, a Demo Account, and a unique Copy Trading Account. Both brokers offer a similar range of account types.
| Avatrade | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Account | Yes | Yes |
| Raw Account | No | No |
| Swap Free Account | Yes | Yes |
| Active Traders | No | No |
| Spread Betting (UK) | Yes | No |
Verdict: Both brokers offer a similar range of account types, but eToro stands out with its unique Copy Trading Account, which allows traders to copy the trades of successful investors.
| Broker | Account Types |
|---|---|
| AvaTrade | Standard, Demo, Islamic |
| eToro | Standard, Demo, Copy Trading |
When it comes to the best trading experience and ease, both AvaTrade and eToro have their own strengths. From our own testing, here are some of our observations:
In our experience, both brokers offer a good trading experience, but they cater to different types of traders. AvaTrade’s diverse trading platforms and advanced trading tools make it a suitable choice for experienced traders. On the other hand, eToro’s user-friendly platform and social trading feature make it a standout choice for beginners.
Verdict: Based on our testing, we would say that eToro offers the best trading experience for beginners, while AvaTrade is the better choice for more experienced traders.
AvaTrade Trust Score
eToro Trust Score
Trust and regulation are crucial factors when choosing a forex broker. Avatrade is regulated by multiple regulatory bodies, including ASIC, FCA, CySEC, BVI FSC, FSA, and FFAJ. eToro is also regulated by multiple regulatory bodies, including ASIC, FCA, CySEC, and FinCEN. For more information on ASIC Regulated Brokers, you can check here.
| AvaTrade | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 Regulation | ASIC (Australia) CIRO (CANADA) CYSEC (Cyprus) | ASIC (Australia) CYSEC (Cyprus) FCA (UK) |
| Tier 2 Regulation | ADGM (UAE) ISA (Israel) JFSA (Japan) CBI KNF (Poland) | MFSA (Europe) ADGM (UAE) GFSC (Gilbraltar) |
| Tier 3 Regulation | FSC- BVI FSCA (South Africa) | FSA-S (Seychelles) |
Verdict: Both Avatrade and eToro are well-regulated, providing traders with a high level of trust and security.
When it comes to product range and CFD markets, both AvaTrade and eToro offer a wide variety of options to suit different trader needs. AvaTrade provides trading in Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks, and Cryptocurrencies, while eToro offers the same range of trading instruments, plus the addition of Social Trading.
Here’s a comparison of the range of CFDs, products, and markets available:
| Criteria | AvaTrade | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Forex CFD | 55 | 49 |
| Shares CFD | No | 1209 NYSE, 884 NASDAQ, 117 Frankfurt, 285 LSE, 42 Madrid, 49 Zurich, 26 Oslo, 49 Stockholm, 23 Copenhagen, 20 Helsinki, 135 Hong Kong, 3 Lisbon, 15 Brussels, 1 Saudi Arabia, 35 Amsterdam |
| Cryptos CFD | 17 (+ Crypto10 Index) | 79 Coins, 14 crosses |
| Commodities CFD | 5 Metals, 5 Energies, | 26 |
| 7 Softs | ||
| Indices CFD | 33 | 20 |
| Bonds/Treasuries CFD | 2 | No |
| Spread Betting (UK only) | Yes | No |
| Other Products | Yes | No |
| Shares (underlying) | Yes | Yes (US only) |
Verdict: eToro offers a more extensive range of CFDs and markets, making it the better choice for traders looking for a wide variety of trading options.
When it comes to educational resources, both AvaTrade and eToro have a lot to offer. Here’s a comparison of the educational resources each broker provides:
Verdict: Based on our testing and comparison, eToro offers the best educational resources for traders, especially for beginners who can benefit from the social trading platform and demo account. AvaTrade also has a strong education section, but eToro’s unique features give it the edge in this category.
AvaTrade provides customer service 24/5 via live chat, phone, and email. eToro also offers 24/5 customer service but through live chat and a ticket system.
Verdict: Both brokers offer excellent customer service, but AvaTrade provides more contact options, including phone support, which some traders might prefer.
| Broker | Customer Service |
|---|---|
| AvaTrade | 24/5, Live Chat, Phone, Email |
| eToro | 24/5, Live Chat, Ticket System |
Funding options are an essential aspect to consider when choosing a broker. Both AvaTrade and eToro offer a range of funding options to suit different trader needs. AvaTrade provides various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank wire transfers, and e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. eToro also offers a similar range of payment methods, with the addition of other local payment options depending on the trader’s location.
Here’s a comparison of the funding options available:
| Funding Option | AvaTrade | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Card | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| PayPal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local Payment Options | ✗ | ✓ |
Verdict: Both brokers offer a good range of funding options, but eToro has the edge with its additional local payment options. This makes it easier for traders from different locations to fund their accounts in a way that suits them best.
The minimum deposit requirement is a crucial factor for many traders, especially those who are just starting out and may not have a large amount of capital to invest. A lower minimum deposit allows traders to test the waters without committing a significant amount of money. Both AvaTrade and eToro understand this and have set their minimum deposit requirements accordingly.
AvaTrade has a minimum deposit requirement of $100 for a standard account. This is a reasonable amount that allows traders to access a range of markets and trading instruments. On the other hand, eToro has a lower minimum deposit requirement of $50 for a standard account. This makes it an attractive option for traders who are looking to start small.
Here’s a comparison of the minimum deposit amounts for each broker:
| Broker | Standard Account |
|---|---|
| AvaTrade | $100 |
| eToro | $50 |
| Trader is a redident in: | Minimum First Deposit (USD) |
| Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Ireland, Spain, Sweden | $50 |
| France, Poland, Slovakia, Belgium, Czech Republic | $100 |
| Eligible countries outside of the list | $200 |
| New Zealand | $1,000 |
| Israel | $10,000 |
| Uniited States | $10 |
Verdict: eToro offers a lower minimum deposit requirement, making it the better choice for traders who are looking to start with a smaller amount of capital. This, combined with its user-friendly platform and social trading features, makes eToro an attractive option for new traders.
eToro is the winner because it offers a more extensive range of products and markets, superior educational resources, better funding options, and a lower minimum deposit requirement. These factors, combined with its unique social trading platform, make eToro an attractive option for both beginner and experienced traders.
The table below summarises the key information leading to this verdict:
| Criteria | AvaTrade | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Spreads And Fees | ✅ | ❌ |
| Better Trading Platform | ❌ | ❌ |
| Superior Accounts And Features | ❌ | ✅ |
| Best Trading Experience And Ease | ✅ | ❌ |
| Stronger Trust And Regulation | ❌ | ❌ |
| Top Product Range And CFD Markets | ❌ | ✅ |
| Superior Educational Resources | ❌ | ✅ |
| Superior Customer Service | ✅ | ❌ |
| Better Funding Options | ❌ | ✅ |
| Lower Minimum Deposit | ❌ | ✅ |
eToro is the better choice for beginner traders because of its user-friendly platform, social trading features, and extensive educational resources.
AvaTrade is the better choice for experienced traders because of its diverse trading platforms, advanced trading tools, and strong customer service.
AvaTrade has lower costs. AvaTrade offers competitive spreads starting from 0.9 pips on major forex pairs, while eToro’s spreads start from 1 pip. Additionally, AvaTrade does not charge any commission on trades, while eToro charges a spread mark-up. For more information on low-cost brokers, you can visit our Lowest Commission Brokers page.
AvaTrade is the better choice for MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade offers both MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are popular trading platforms among experienced traders. eToro, on the other hand, does not offer MetaTrader 4 or 5. For more information on the best MetaTrader 4 brokers, you can visit our best MT4 brokers page.
eToro offers social trading. eToro’s unique social trading platform allows traders to follow and copy the trades of successful investors. AvaTrade does not offer a social trading platform. For more information on the best social trading platforms, you can visit our best copy trading platforms page.
AvaTrade offers spread betting. AvaTrade provides spread betting services for UK clients, allowing them to trade tax-free on price movements. eToro, on the other hand, does not offer spread betting. For more information on the best spread betting brokers, you can visit our best spread betting brokers page.
In my opinion, AvaTrade is superior for Australian Forex traders. AvaTrade is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which adds an extra layer of security for Australian traders. Additionally, AvaTrade offers a wide range of trading instruments and a user-friendly platform. For more information on the best Australian Forex brokers, you can visit our Best Forex Brokers In Australia page.
In my opinion, AvaTrade is superior for UK Forex traders. AvaTrade is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is a major regulatory body in the UK. Additionally, AvaTrade offers a wide range of trading instruments and a user-friendly platform. For more information on the best UK Forex brokers, you can visit our best UK Forex brokers page.
Ask an Expert
Does AvaTrade guarantee stop loss?
AvaTrade does not guarantee stop loss. However, if slippage occurs, the broker does ensure that your trade will be closed at the next available price.