Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AvaTrade vs Deriv
Where AvaTrade and Deriv differ
| Compare | AvaTrade ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $5Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $50 | $25Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader | Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- AvaTrade scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Deriv: $5 vs $100.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Deriv: $25 vs $50.
- Markets: only AvaTrade offers Options.
- Platforms: only AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO.
- Platforms: only Deriv offers Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader.
- Features: only AvaTrade offers Copy trading.
- Features: only Deriv offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a commission-free CFD and forex broker for traders who want no deposit or withdrawal charges and free stock dealing, and who can start at a minimum deposit of $100. The catch is an inactivity fee of $50 on dormant accounts, so this suits active traders rather than occasional investors.
Deriv
Deriv suits beginners and day-traders who want a $0 stock trade fee, a $5 minimum deposit and a demo account to practise on. Most retail accounts here lose money, at 74%, so the cheap entry is not a reason to trade lightly.
Score breakdown
| Area | AvaTrade | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Stock dealing costs $0 with no deposit or withdrawal fees, offset by an inactivity fee of $50. | 8.9HigherAn inactivity fee of $25 is the weak spot, against $0 at Vantage. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 8.9 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | AvaTrade | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AvaTrade | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 89 of 471 | 160 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 40 of 147 | 69 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 38 of 145 | 67 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 31 of 122 | 58 of 122 |
Sources behind this comparison
AvaTrade
- forexsuggest.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingcritique.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Deriv
- deriv.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokeranalysis.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxempire.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AvaTrade | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Copy trading | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Day traders, Beginners |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AvaTrade | Deriv | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $5below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $50highest quarter | $25highest quarter | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74%above the median | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
AvaTrade
Pros
- Stock dealing is free, with a stock trade fee of $0
- No deposit or withdrawal fees, so funding and getting money out cost nothing
- A demo account, a mobile app and copy trading are all offered
Cons
- Dormant accounts attract an inactivity fee of $50
- The minimum deposit of $100 is higher than the site median of €4.64
- Copy trading sits well below the site average of 9.6%
Deriv
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so no second broker is needed
- demo account, mobile app and crypto covers a demo account and a mobile app alongside Deriv Trader and Deriv MT5
- Built for beginners and day traders (day traders and beginners) rather than experienced traders only
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $25 applies to dormant balances, against $0 at Vantage
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone line or live chat listed
- Deriv reports that 74% of retail accounts lose money, above the 70.15% site median
Who each suits
AvaTrade
Who it suits
- Traders who keep an account active and want free deposits and withdrawals
- Anyone who wants to trade forex, CFDs, options and crypto in one place
- Copy traders who want to follow other people's positions as well as run their own
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors who need a tax-sheltered investment account
- Anyone who would leave a balance sitting untouched for long periods
- CFI or Vantage suit people who want a lower starting deposit
Deriv
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a demo account and a small minimum deposit before going live
- Day-traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account
- Traders already comfortable with charting platforms, since Deriv MT5 is one of the platforms listed (Deriv MT5 and Deriv Trader)
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone leaving money parked for long: Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0
- Traders who want futures in the same account: the markets at eToro, stocks, etfs and forex, include them
- Traders who want the smallest possible entry: CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0
Questions about each
AvaTrade
What does it cost to trade stocks at AvaTrade?+
Stock dealing carries a stock trade fee of $0, and pricing is commission-free, so there is no separate dealing commission layered on top. Other costs are thinner too: funding an account carries no deposit fee.
What is the smallest amount needed to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $100. That sits above the site median of €4.64 and above the lower quartile of €0, so it is a higher starting bar than many brokers on the site.
Deriv
What does it cost to open a Deriv account?+
The minimum deposit is $5, so the account opens on a small balance. Stock trades are charged at $0, which sits inside a commission-free model, so no commission is added per trade. Beginners and day traders are the stated audience.
Will I be charged if my account sits idle?+
Yes. Deriv charges an inactivity fee of $25 on an account left unused, which is the main cost trap here. Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0 by comparison, so a dormant balance is cheaper elsewhere. Move money you are not using rather than leaving it parked.