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Plus500 vs AvaTrade - which service is better?

In this article, we’ll compare the services of Plus500 and AvaTrade in detail. While the two brokers share a lot of similarities, the latter is not included in our top 5 Plus500 alternatives list, as it lags behind on some aspects in the BrokerChooser methodology.

This doesn’t mean that AvaTrade is not a good alternative to Plus500, it rather illustrates that the broker is not a 100% replacement to Plus500.

Visit Plus500
86% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Visit AvaTrade
71% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Plus500 summary

Plus500 snapshot
Brief description Plus500 is a global CFD broker listed on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market and regulated by many authorities including the UK’s FCA and CySEC in Cyprus
Foundation date 2008
Country of origin Israel
Recommended for Experienced traders looking for an easy-to-use platform and a great user experience

The fact that Plus500 is listed on a stock exchange, it is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, and discloses its financials publicly are all good signs for the broker's legitimacy.

Plus500 is a CFD broker - with extras

Although its product portfolio consists mainly of CFDs, Plus500 has recently introduced an Invest platform where clients can trade real stocks from some EEA countries and the USA.

This sets it apart from AvaTrade, which does not offer real stocks to its clients.

Visit Plus500
86% of retail CFD accounts lose money

 

AvaTrade summary

 

AvaTrade is a global CFD and forex broker founded in 2006; it is regulated by several financial authorities worldwide, including the top-tier Central Bank of Ireland and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). AvaTrade offers various deposit and withdrawal options, all of which are free of charge. It also has diverse and user-friendly research and education tools.

The product portfolio consists of forex, various CFDs (stocks, indexes, commodities, etc.) and cryptos. The inactivity fee is high and forex trading fees are not the most competitive on the market.

AvaTrade snapshot
Brief description AvaTrade is a global forex and CFD broker regulated in the following countries: Ireland, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Abu Dhabi, British Virgin Islands, Israel. The broker charges generally low trading fees but its forex fees are not the most competitive. 
Foundation date 2006
Country of origin Ireland
Recommended for Forex and CFD traders familiar with the MetaTrader platforms

AvaTrade is a forex broker with a CFD focus 

AvaTrade is primarily a forex broker but its product selection also includes CFDs (individual stock, indexes, ETFs, commodities and bonds), FX options and 17 cryptos. 

FX options are available through the AvaOptions platform where you can trade more than 40 different instruments.

The number of tradable instruments depends on your jurisdiction, the above selection is available to EU clients.

Visit AvaTrade
71% of retail CFD accounts lose money

How AvaTrade compares to Plus500

 

On the positive side:

  • Both brokers offer well-designed, easy-to-use platforms
  • Customer service and research tools are great at both brokers
  • Both service providers have a demo account

 

On the negative side:

  • The CFD trading fees charged by Plus500 are average and some standard research tools, like recommendations and fundamental data are not available.
  • Both brokers charge an inactivity fee but the rate of the fee and the conditions are more unfavorable at AvaTrade 
  • You cannot change the leverage manually at either broker, which increases the risk of leveraged trades

 

Plus500 vs AvaTrade
  Plus500 AvaTrade
Overall pros
  •  Easy-to-use platform
  • Great account opening
  • Quick and helpful customer support
  •  Easy and fast account opening
  •  Free deposit and withdrawal options
  • Great research tools
Overall cons
  • Limited product range 
  • Mediocre research tools
  • Average CFD fees
  • Limited product portfolio
  • High inactivity fee
  • Average forex fees
Customer service score 5.0 stars 4.5 stars
Recommended for Experienced traders looking for an easy-to-use platform and a great user experience Forex and CFD traders looking for an option to use MetaTrader platforms
Markets and products score 2.3 stars 2.3 stars
Mobile platform score 5.0 stars 4.7 stars
Web platform score 4.5 stars 3.8 stars
Minimum deposit $100 $100
Withdrawal fee $0 $0
Deposit fee $0 $0
Account opening score 5.0 stars 5.0 stars
Fees summary Average trading and non-trading fees Low trading fees, average non-trading fees, high inactivity fee
Overall score 4.3 4.5
Visit Plus500
86% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Visit AvaTrade
71% of retail CFD accounts lose money

 

Plus500 vs Trading 212: Markets and products

 

The product selection of the two brokers is very similar, with the main focus being on CFDs.

Product selection
  Plus500 AvaTrade
Stocks No No
ETFs No No
Forex No Yes
Funds No No
Bonds No No
Options No No
Futures Yes No
Crypto No Yes
CFDs Yes Yes

Conclusion

Is Plus500 better than AvaTrade?

The Plus500 platform is easy to use, it provides a great user experience. The account opening process and customer support are great. On the other hand, the research tools are limited and CFD fees are average. 

Scalping is taken seriously at Plus500, if you plan to execute many trades within 2 minutes, Plus500 is not your broker.

At AvaTrade, the main focus is on forex but CFDs are also available. The trading platform, the account opening and the customer service are all great. On the flipside, the rate and the conditions of the inactivity fee are rather punitive.

Overall, the services of the two brokers are very similar but forex fees at AvaTrade are more favorable. 

Visit Plus500
86% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Visit AvaTrade
71% of retail CFD accounts lose money

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Further reading:

Author of this article

Edith Balázs

Author of this article

Edith is an experienced financial journalist having worked for 20+ years as a correspondent for Bloomberg, Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal covering macroeconomics, stock, currency and fixed-income markets. She holds a Master's degree in American Studies and Journalism.

Edith Balázs

Senior Editor

Edith is an experienced financial journalist having worked for 20+ years as a correspondent for Bloomberg, Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal covering macroeconomics, stock, currency and fixed-income markets. She holds a Master's degree in American Studies and Journalism.

Everything you find on BrokerChooser is based on reliable data and unbiased information. We combine our 10+ years finance experience with readers feedback. Read more about our methodology

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