Our review of AvaTrade 2025 4.8/5

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AvaTrade in Brief

Our opinion of AvaTrade

We particularly liked AvaTrade’s diverse range of assets, including forex, stocks, cryptocurrencies, and ETFs, which cater to both novice and experienced traders looking for variety in their portfolios.

The availability of advanced platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the intuitive AvaTradeGO app impressed us, as did the integration of copy trading options through ZuluTrade and DupliTrade. The fixed spreads provide cost predictability, especially in volatile market conditions, and the extensive educational resources are ideal for traders seeking to refine their skills.

We would have liked to see faster withdrawal processing times and 24/7 customer support to accommodate users across all time zones. Additionally, while the broker provides competitive spreads, traders focusing on direct stock ownership rather than CFDs may find its offering limited.

Who is AvaTrade designed for?

AvaTrade is best suited to Canadian traders who value a well-rounded platform with innovative features and a strong regulatory framework. 

Let's find out more about our test results.

Security and reliability 4.5/5

AvaTrade has been in the brokerage industry since its founding in 2006, making it a well-established and experienced broker with nearly two decades of operation. The broker boasts over 300,000 registered users globally, handling millions of trades monthly. AvaTrade has earned several accolades over the years, including awards for Best Forex Broker and Best Trading App, reflecting its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

For Canadian traders, AvaTrade is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). This regulatory oversight ensures client funds are safeguarded and the broker adheres to stringent financial and operational standards. AvaTrade is also regulated in multiple other jurisdictions, including by the ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), and others, further cementing its credibility on a global scale.

To help clients manage risk, AvaTrade offers several tools such as negative balance protection, fixed spreads for cost transparency, and access to an extensive range of educational resources to improve trading skills. The inclusion of a demo account allows traders to practice strategies risk-free before committing real funds, while the AvaProtect feature, which reimburses losses on specific trades, further enhances risk management.

Market and asset diversity 4.5/5

AvaTrade is positioned as a versatile broker in the financial market, catering to a wide range of traders with its extensive selection of tradable assets. It provides access to over 1,250 instruments, including forex, stocks, indices, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and ETFs. This diversity allows traders to explore multiple asset classes, whether for short-term trading or long-term portfolio diversification.

While its offering is broad, the focus on CFDs rather than direct ownership of certain assets may be a limitation for investors seeking traditional investments. AvaTrade remains a competitive choice, especially for traders looking for flexibility and variety.

Our opinion on AvaTrade's offerings

AvaTrade excels in offering a wide range of instruments across multiple asset classes, exceeding the market average in most categories. However, the absence of direct stock ownership slightly narrows its appeal for investors who prioritize long-term traditional investments. Despite this, AvaTrade’s extensive asset range makes it highly competitive, particularly for CFD-focused traders.

Platforms and tools 4.5/5

AvaTrade provides an impressive selection of trading platforms tailored to various trader profiles, ranging from beginners to advanced users. These platforms are designed to offer a seamless trading experience, equipped with robust tools and features to facilitate informed decision-making and efficient execution of trades.

MetaTrade 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

AvaTrade supports the renowned MetaTrader platforms, which are widely recognized for their advanced charting tools, an extensive range of technical indicators, and support for automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs). These platforms are tailored to meet the needs of professional traders who demand deep analytical capabilities and extensive customization options.

AvaTradeGO

The AvaTradeGO mobile app is AvaTrade’s proprietary trading platform, offering a user-friendly design and flexible functionality. It features an intuitive interface, live market trends, and step-by-step guidance, making it a perfect choice for beginner traders who seek simplicity without compromising essential tools.

AvaOptions

AvaOptions is specifically built for forex options trading. This platform empowers traders to manage risk with greater precision and flexibility, offering unique features like strategy visualization and risk/reward analysis, setting it apart from conventional trading platforms.

DupliTrade and ZuluTrade

AvaTrade provides copy trading capabilities through integrations with DupliTrade and ZuluTrade. These platforms allow traders to replicate the strategies of top-performing investors, providing opportunities for automation and community-driven insights. This is particularly appealing to users who prefer a hands-free or collaborative trading experience.

WebTrader

The browser-based WebTrader platform delivers seamless accessibility without the need for software downloads. It includes advanced charting tools, market analytics, and one-click trading functionality, making it an excellent option for traders who value convenience and efficiency.

Educational and Analysis Tools

AvaTrade excels in trader education, offering an extensive suite of resources that includes webinars, video tutorials, eBooks, and more. For analysis, it provides integration with Trading Central, economic calendars, and in-depth market reports, ensuring traders have the necessary insights for informed decisions.

Fees, spreads and commissions 4.2/5

AvaTrade positions itself competitively in the market with fixed spreads and a no-commission trading structure for most assets. This makes it appealing to traders who prefer predictable trading costs. Its spreads on popular forex pairs, stocks, and other asset classes are generally in line with or slightly better than the industry average.

However, the broker does apply additional fees, such as inactivity fees and overnight financing charges, which can increase costs for specific types of traders.

Other Fees

• Deposit/Withdrawal Fees: No fees for deposits or withdrawals, although third-party charges (e.g., bank wire transfer fees) may apply.
• Overnight Fees (Swap Fees): Applicable on positions held overnight, calculated based on the asset and trade size.
• Inactivity Fees: $50 monthly fee after three months of inactivity and a $100 administration fee after 12 months of no activity.

How is AvaTrade's price positioning?

AvaTrade’s fixed spreads and commission-free trading structure make it cost-effective for most traders, especially those focusing on forex or major assets like indices and stocks. However, the inactivity fees and overnight charges may deter long-term buy-and-hold traders or infrequent users.

While competitive, the broker’s fee structure could be slightly improved in areas like swap rates and fee transparency to maximize value for all types of traders.

Customer reviews 4.4/5

AvaTrade holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.4/5 based on 8,975 reviews, reflecting strong customer satisfaction. Users frequently praise the platform's variety of features and robust support but note areas like withdrawal processing as a point of improvement.

Here are some recent testimonials from Canadian users:

• Mark T (January 5, 2024): "I’ve been using AvaTrade for six months now, and the variety of assets available has been fantastic. The MetaTrader 5 platform runs smoothly, and I’ve particularly enjoyed using their educational tools to improve my trading. However, I did experience a slight delay during a withdrawal, which took four business days instead of the promised three. Overall, a reliable platform with plenty of trading options."
• Sarah M (June 12, 2024): "As a beginner trader, I found AvaTradeGO to be super intuitive. The step-by-step guidance and demo account helped me feel confident before trading with real funds. I also tried ZuluTrade for copy trading, which worked well initially, but I wish there were more top traders to follow. The customer support team was helpful and quick to resolve my queries."
• Daniel L (February 18, 2025): "I started trading forex and commodities with AvaTrade last year, and I’ve had a great experience overall. The fixed spreads make it easy to calculate my costs, and AvaOptions is a game-changer for hedging my positions. My only issue was with the inactivity fee, which caught me off guard after three months of being idle. Apart from that, the platform is well-designed and efficient."

How is AvaTrade positioned in relation to its competitors?

Conclusion of our review on AvaTrade

AvaTrade is positioned as a versatile broker that caters to a broad spectrum of traders, from beginners to experienced investors. With a wide range of assets, advanced platforms like MT5 and AvaTradeGO, and the added advantage of copy trading features via ZuluTrade and DupliTrade, it excels in offering diverse opportunities.

Its fixed spreads and low minimum deposit make it particularly appealing for cost-conscious traders. However, competitors may stand out for features such as zero minimum deposits or access to a wider range of real stocks.

While AvaTrade offers a balanced and regulated trading experience, traders focused on specific asset classes or those looking for zero-fee models might find more competitive options elsewhere. 

Before opening an account with AvaTrade, compare the best brokers in Canada.

What types of accounts are available with AvaTrade in Canada?

AvaTrade offers multiple account types tailored to different trading needs, including individual, professional, and specialized accounts like demo and Islamic accounts. Below is a comparison of the main account types and their features:

Standard Account

The Standard Account is AvaTrade's most popular offering, designed for retail traders. It requires a low minimum deposit of $100 and provides access to all platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and AvaTradeGO.

Traders can benefit from fixed spreads starting at 0.9 pips and leverage of up to 30:1, which adheres to regulatory guidelines. This account is suitable for both beginners and experienced traders.

Professional Account

The Professional Account caters to high-volume traders who meet specific eligibility requirements, such as trading experience and a portfolio of sufficient size. This account offers lower spreads and higher leverage of up to 400:1, depending on the trader’s location and qualification. It also includes full access to AvaTrade's advanced trading platforms and tools, including copy trading features.

Demo Account

The Demo Account is ideal for new traders or those testing strategies. It provides access to all of AvaTrade’s platforms and tools, with $100,000 in virtual funds to simulate real trading conditions. The demo account is valid for an unlimited duration, allowing users to practice and refine their trading strategies at their own pace.

Islamic Account

The Islamic Account is tailored for traders who adhere to Sharia law. This swap-free account does not charge or earn interest on overnight positions. Fixed administrative fees may apply instead, ensuring compliance with Islamic finance principles. It provides the same features as the Standard Account, including access to AvaTrade’s full range of platforms, educational resources, and copy trading tools.

You can start investing with AvaTrade using our special partner link here:

Deposits and withdrawals at AvaTrade: How does it work?

AvaTrade offers a range of deposit and withdrawal methods, catering to traders worldwide, including Canadian traders. Credit/debit card and e-wallet options are particularly convenient for instant funding, which is faster compared to traditional bank transfers that can take several days.

Unlike some competitors, AvaTrade does not charge its own fees for deposits or withdrawals, though third-party fees (e.g., bank or blockchain network fees) may still apply. The inclusion of cryptocurrency wallets as a funding method is an advantage, as it provides modern and secure alternatives to traditional payment systems.

When compared to competitors, AvaTrade stands out with its no-fee policy for most payment methods. However, the 3-5 business days required for bank transfers may feel slow compared to brokers offering same-day bank processing.

AvaTrade’s support for multiple currencies ensures that users can minimize conversion costs, a feature not always found with other brokers. Overall, its deposit and withdrawal options strike a balance between convenience and cost-efficiency, but faster bank transfer processing could further enhance its appeal.

Does AvaTrade offer copy trading?

AvaTrade offers robust copy trading options through integrations with ZuluTrade and DupliTrade, making it a competitive choice for traders interested in automated and social trading.

ZuluTrade

ZuluTrade is one of the leading platforms for copy trading, allowing AvaTrade users to follow and replicate the strategies of top-performing traders worldwide. The platform provides detailed performance metrics for each trader, enabling users to make informed decisions.

Traders can diversify their portfolios by copying multiple strategies, and ZuluTrade includes tools for managing risk, such as customizable stop-loss settings. Access to ZuluTrade is included in the account, with no additional platform fees, although copied trades may incur the usual spreads or commissions.

DupliTrade

DupliTrade is another platform available to AvaTrade clients, specifically designed for automating the replication of strategies from experienced traders. Unlike ZuluTrade, DupliTrade focuses on vetted traders, ensuring that only reliable and proven strategies are available for copying.

DupliTrade’s interface is user-friendly and integrates seamlessly with AvaTrade’s MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. This platform is ideal for traders seeking hands-off portfolio management with access to professional-grade strategies.

Features and Fees

• Supported Platforms: ZuluTrade and DupliTrade integrate directly with AvaTrade’s MT4 and MT5 platforms.
• Traders to Copy: Hundreds of strategies are available on ZuluTrade, while DupliTrade provides a more curated list of professional traders.
• Fees: AvaTrade does not charge additional fees for accessing ZuluTrade or DupliTrade. However, copied trades are subject to the broker’s standard spreads and overnight charges.
• Risk Management Tools: Both platforms offer features like stop-loss settings and portfolio diversification to minimize risk.

What is the tax treatment of income generated by AvaTrade?

Income generated by trading via AvaTrade in Canada is considered investment income and is subject to taxation under the Canadian Income Tax Act. This includes profits from forex, stocks, CFDs, and other instruments traded through the broker. 

Applicable Taxation

Trading income can fall into two categories: capital gains or business income, depending on the frequency and nature of trading. Capital gains are taxed at 50% of the realized profit, while business income is taxed at the individual’s full marginal tax rate.

For example:

• Capital Gains: If trading is done infrequently and resembles investment activity, profits are categorized as capital gains.
• Business Income: If trading is frequent and resembles an active business, profits are categorized as business income and taxed fully.

How to declare trading income or revenues

• Determine the Nature of Income: Consult a tax professional to decide whether your trading profits are capital gains or business income.
• Report on the T1 Tax Return:
• If classified as capital gains, include the profits in Schedule 3 - Capital Gains (or Losses).
• If classified as business income, include the profits in your total taxable income.
• Deductible Expenses: Trading-related expenses such as platform fees, data subscriptions, or professional advice may be deductible if trading is considered a business.
• T5 Slip: AvaTrade does not issue tax slips, so you must calculate and report your profits manually.

Points to remember while filing your taxes

• Keep detailed records of trades, including transaction dates, asset types, buy/sell prices, and any fees paid.
• Currency conversion for gains or losses must use the Bank of Canada’s exchange rate at the time of each transaction if trading non-CAD instruments.
• Consult a tax advisor to ensure compliance with CRA regulations, especially for complex trading situations.

Contact: How do I contact AvaTrade customer service?

FAQs

Nishadh Mohammed

Nishadh Mohammed is a seasoned news editor and financial writer, working with HelloSafe since May 2023. Nishadh has developed expertise in financial markets, insurance, and investment products, with a deep understanding of the Canadian financial landscape. He has honed his SEO skills and content marketing strategies while writing for Canadian publishing houses. Armed with a master's in Business Analytics and extensive journalistic experience, Nishadh uniquely combines data proficiency and thorough research to deliver comprehensive and accessible information.