Head to head · Updated June 15, 2026
eToro vs Avatrade: which one to choose (2026)?
By Roch de Montesquieu Our synthesis
The verdict of the duel
eToro or AvaTrade? Both are excellent, fully regulated brokers and both score 4.8/5, so this is a genuine tie on rating. eToro gathers in a single account real stock ownership, 0 commission on ETFs, fractional shares, the copy trading that mirrors seasoned investors' portfolios, 130+ cryptos held directly under a MiCA licence, and Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client. AvaTrade is outstanding for forex and CFD trading, with fixed spreads known upfront, 1,250+ instruments, FX options and MetaTrader 4 and 5, plus its own AvaProtect cover. They serve slightly different needs; on editorial preference, for an all-in-one account built around real ownership and social investing, we lean towards eToro.
if you want one account that brings together real stock ownership, social and copy trading, commission-free ETFs and crypto held directly, with Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client.
if you focus on forex and CFD trading and want fixed spreads known upfront, 1,250+ instruments, FX options and MetaTrader 4 and 5, with AvaProtect loss cover.
Roch de Montesquieu · Research Analyst · Fees, Data, Transparency
Who it is for
Which one is right for you?
eToro
The beginner who wants to learn by copying experienced investors
The investor who wants to avoid currency conversion fees (USD account)
Avatrade
The beginner who wants to learn on a free simulator then trade with predictable costs
The long-term investor who wants direct stock ownership
The pillar duel
Criterion by criterion
The sub-scores from our two review pages, face to face.
Face to face
The essentials, side by side
Data pulled from our two review pages, verified on June 15, 2026.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| HelloBrokers score | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Regulation | CySEC · FCA · ASIC | Central Bank of Ireland · ASIC · FSA (Japan) · FSCA |
| Fees | Stocks: $1 per order. ETFs: 0 commission. Derivatives: spreads (0.15% stocks, 1% crypto). Spot crypto via spread. | Zero commission on every market: pricing runs through fixed spreads known upfront. Stock derivatives from 0.13% per order, built into the spread. |
| Withdrawal fees | $5 (USD account) | Free (bank transfer, cards, e-wallets), processed within 1-2 business days |
| Demo account | Yes, $100,000 virtual account | Free, $100,000 in virtual funds |
| Leverage | ESMA-capped on derivatives (up to 1:30 retail) | Up to 1:30 (Forex, ESMA retail) |
| Copy trading | Yes, core of the platform (CopyTrader, Smart Portfolios) | Yes: AvaSocial and DupliTrade |
| Islamic account | — | Yes, on request after validation |
| Mobile apps | Very complete iOS and Android app | AvaTradeGO plus MT4/MT5 apps (iOS, Android) |
| Founded · HQ | 2007 · Tel Aviv, Israel | 2006 · Dublin, Ireland |
| Trustpilot | 4.2 / 5 (30,000+) | 4.8 / 5 (12,500+) |
| Best for | The beginner who wants to learn by copying experienced investors | The beginner who wants to learn on a free simulator then trade with predictable costs |
Safety & regulation
Safety, face to face
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating entity | eToro (Europe) Ltd (Cyprus, CySEC) | AVA Trade EU Ltd (Dublin, Central Bank of Ireland, ref. C53877) |
| Fund segregation | Segregated accounts + Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client | Segregated client accounts at international banks |
| Negative balance protection | Yes (ESMA framework on derivatives) | Yes (ESMA framework) |
| Two-factor authentication | 2FA available | Biometric login on the AvaTradeGO app |
| Licence | CySEC-regulated (since 2010) | No (EU passporting from the Central Bank of Ireland) |
Referral offer
The eToro offer via HelloBrokers
🎁 Up to $500 welcome bonus
Copy trading included, a $100,000 demo account and Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client.
- Copy trading included, no access fee
- 0 commission on 900+ ETFs and fractional shares
- $100,000 demo account to practise
- Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client
- 130+ cryptos held directly (MiCA licence)
- Uninvested cash earning up to around 3%
Sponsored links. Trading leveraged products carries a risk of capital loss.
What users say
What their clients say
Highlights from the public reviews gathered on our two pages.
eToro
★ 4.2 / 5 TrustpilotAvatrade
★ 4.8 / 5 TrustpilotStrengths
What each does best
eToro
- Social trading and copy trading: replicate other investors' portfolios
- 0 commission on ETFs, fractional shares available
- Direct crypto custody (130+ coins) with a MiCA licence
- Uninvested cash earns interest (up to ~3%)
- Very accessible interface, ideal for beginners; Lloyd's insurance up to $1M
Avatrade
- Fixed spreads known upfront: the cost of every order is set before you click
- 1,250+ instruments: Forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, FX options, crypto
- AvaProtect: a one-of-a-kind protection that reimburses losses on a covered position during the chosen period
- Integrated copy trading via AvaSocial and DupliTrade
- Free demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds to practice risk-free
Capabilities
What each broker offers
eToro
- Cash stocks / securities account
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies held directly
- Fractional shares
- Copy trading
- Thematic portfolios
- Interest on uninvested cash
- Demo account
Avatrade
- Cash stocks / securities account
- Derivatives (forex, indices, commodities)
- Cryptocurrencies
- MetaTrader 4 & 5
- In-house platforms (AvaTradeGO, WebTrader, AvaOptions)
- Demo account
- Copy trading
- AvaProtect loss protection
- FX options
Go further
🎁 Up to $500 welcome bonus
Open an account at eToro →Copy trading included, a $100,000 demo account and Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client.
Read the full eToro review →Sponsored links. Trading leveraged products carries a risk of capital loss.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions about eToro and Avatrade
Is eToro reliable?
Yes. In Europe eToro is run by eToro (Europe) Ltd, regulated by CySEC since 2010, and NASDAQ-listed since 2025. Client holdings sit behind Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client, and Trustpilot puts it around 4.2/5 across more than 30,000 reviews.
Why choose eToro?
Social trading is what sets it apart. You can copy experienced investors' portfolios automatically, buy fractional shares from a few dollars, and hold crypto directly, all from one interface built for people starting out.
What are the fees at eToro?
Stock orders run $1 each, ETF purchases come commission-free, and derivatives and crypto trade on spreads. The account is dollar-denominated, so a currency conversion costs 1.5% and a withdrawal from the USD account is a flat $5, easy figures to plan around.
Who is eToro for?
Anyone who wants to learn by copying seasoned investors and reach crypto and fractional shares without a steep learning curve. That beginner-first design is exactly where eToro is strongest.
Is it easy to withdraw from eToro?
Withdrawals go through at any time, a flat $5 from the USD account. Once you have practised on the $100,000 demo, the live flow feels familiar from the first order.
Is Avatrade reliable?
Yes, AvaTrade is a trusted platform, regulated since 2006 in 9 jurisdictions including the Central Bank of Ireland (European Union) and ASIC (Australia). Trustpilot shows 4.8/5 across more than 12,500 reviews.
Why choose Avatrade?
AvaTrade brings fixed spreads known upfront together with 1,250+ instruments, built-in copy trading and a free training library, which makes it one of the most versatile offers around.
What are the fees at Avatrade?
There is no commission. Pricing runs through fixed spreads instead, from 0.9 pip on EUR/USD on the Standard account, and deposits and withdrawals are free.
Who is Avatrade for?
It suits every profile. Beginners get a free demo account ($100,000 virtual), AvaProtect and the AvaAcademy courses, while experienced traders find MT4, MT5, automated trading and FX options on AvaOptions.
Is it easy to withdraw from Avatrade?
Yes, withdrawals are free and processed within 1-2 business days via bank transfer, cards or e-wallets.
Torn between several brokers?
Compare two brokers →