AvaTrade Review 2026
Reliable established broker. Watch the inactivity fee.
Long-established Irish-regulated broker with MetaTrader and copy trading. The inactivity fee of $50 after 3 months is the main drawback.
The basics
AvaTrade was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 1,260 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. All positions are contracts for difference — there is no real asset ownership.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading lets you replicate the positions of other traders automatically.
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland |
| Instruments | 1,260+ |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, AvaSocial |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | Yes |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only |
Is AvaTrade safe?
CBI (Central Bank of Ireland) regulated brokers operate under EU MiFID II rules, requiring segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and contribution to the Irish Investor Compensation Company (ICCL), covering up to €20,000.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| CBI | C53877 ✓ | AvaTrade EU Ltd |
| ASIC | 406684 ✓ | Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd |
| FSCA | 45984 ✓ | Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
| FSA | 1662 ✓ | Ava Trade Japan K.K. |
| ADGM | 190018 ✓ | AvaTrade Middle East Ltd |
| ISA | 514666577 ✓ | AvaTrade Ltd (Israel) |
| BVI-FSC | SIBA/L/13/1049 ✓ | Ava Trade Ltd |
You can verify the CBI licence at registers.centralbank.ie. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
AvaTrade spreads
These are the typical spreads on AvaTrade's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.9 pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.5 pips |
| USD/JPY | 1.1 pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 20c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
AvaTrade's EUR/USD spread of 0.9 pips is competitive for a retail broker without a per-trade commission.
AvaTrade withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. AvaTrade does not charge withdrawal fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. Standard processing with no unusual delays reported for compliant accounts.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
AvaTrade minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which AvaTrade entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade EU Ltd | CBI C53877 | $100 | 1:30 |
| Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd | ASIC 406684 | $100 | 1:30 |
| Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd | FSCA 45984 | $100 | 1:400 |
| Ava Trade Japan K.K. | FSA 1662 | $100 | 1:25 |
| AvaTrade Middle East Ltd | ADGM 190018 | $100 | 1:400 |
| AvaTrade Ltd (Israel) | ISA 514666577 | $100 | 1:30 |
| Ava Trade Ltd | BVI-FSC SIBA/L/13/1049 | $100 | 1:400 |
AvaTrade vs eToro
| AvaTrade | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI C53877 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | $100 | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.9 pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | No |
| Instruments | 1,260+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. AvaTrade suits traders who value copy trading and social features. eToro is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| CBI | C53877 — AvaTrade EU Ltd |
| ASIC | 406684 — Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd |
| FSCA | 45984 — Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
| FSA | 1662 — Ava Trade Japan K.K. |
| ADGM | 190018 — AvaTrade Middle East Ltd |
| ISA | 514666577 — AvaTrade Ltd (Israel) |
| BVI-FSC | SIBA/L/13/1049 — Ava Trade Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules. The offshore entity offers up to 1:25, but with lighter regulatory protection.
Pros and Cons
What works
- CBI (Ireland) regulated — EU passported
- MetaTrader 4 and 5
- Copy trading via AvaSocial
- 1,260+ instruments
- Strong mobile app
- Available in 150+ countries
What does not work
- $50 inactivity fee after 3 months — highest reviewed
- EUR/USD spread 0.9 — wider than ECN brokers
- Not available in US, Canada
The verdict
AvaTrade is a legitimate, regulated broker. The CBI licence number C53877 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for social and copy traders. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to AvaTrade
If AvaTrade does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is AvaTrade safe?
CBI (Central Bank of Ireland) regulated brokers operate under EU MiFID II rules, requiring segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and contribution to the Irish Investor Compensation Company (ICCL), covering up to €20,000. AvaTrade holds CBI licence C53877, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the AvaTrade minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $100. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the AvaTrade EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on AvaTrade standard accounts is typically 0.9 pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does AvaTrade take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. Standard processing with no unusual delays reported for compliant accounts.
Does AvaTrade charge withdrawal fees?
None. AvaTrade does not charge withdrawal fees.
Does AvaTrade have MetaTrader?
Yes. AvaTrade supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.