Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AvaTrade vs Kraken
AvaTrade vs Kraken: the differences
| Compare | AvaTrade ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $1Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, Futures |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet |
| Inactivity fee | $50 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | Up to 10x |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Minimum deposit is lower at Kraken: $1 vs $100.
- Markets: only AvaTrade offers CFDs, Options, Bonds.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Futures.
- Platforms: only AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Features: only AvaTrade offers Demo account, Copy trading.
- Features: only Kraken 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.
Kraken
Kraken suits beginners and experienced investors who want stocks, ETFs and crypto together through app and desktop access. Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1 and funding terms shown as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 for cost planning across small balance accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | AvaTrade | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Stock dealing costs $0 with no deposit or withdrawal fees, offset by an inactivity fee of $50. | 9.3HigherStock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.3Registers cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | AvaTrade | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71030 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | AvaTrade | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Sources behind this comparison
AvaTrade
- forexsuggest.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingcritique.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Kraken
- kraken.com: 9 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 28, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | AvaTrade | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 89 of 471 | 21 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AvaTrade | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Copy trading | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AvaTrade | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $1below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $50highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
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%
Kraken
Pros
- Stock trades priced at $0 within a model shown as commission free.
- Entry at $1, below $50 at eToro for smaller starting balances.
- Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex, pairing stocks and ETFs with crypto and futures.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, without phone or live chat help found at many rivals.
- Card funding terms run Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, which adds cost next to bank transfer options.
- Entry at $1 sits above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB for tight budgets.
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
Kraken
Who it suits
- You want stocks plus crypto in stocks, ETFs and forex in a single login rather than an equity only account at XTB.
- You want app led dealing through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop with modest entry at $1 rather than higher entry at eToro at $50.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want phone or chat help rather than help centre only, consider XTB or ActivTrades for wider contact choice.
- You want the lowest cash entry rather than $1, consider ActivTrades at $0 or XTB at €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.
Kraken
What does Kraken charge for stock trades+
Stock dealing is priced at $0 and Kraken describes its model as commission free. Bank funding is framed separately as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so card use adds cost while bank transfer terms remain distinct. Check the fee schedule before placing orders.
What is the minimum deposit to open an account+
Account entry is set at $1. That level sits below $50 at eToro, yet above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB. It keeps starting balances modest while leaving room for funding charges.
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