Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AvaTrade vs Lightyear
AvaTrade vs Lightyear: the differences
| Compare | AvaTrade ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1 |
| Inactivity fee | $50 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | Free bank transfers in and out |
| Minimum deposit | $100 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.35% |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | Corporate |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.42% |
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Key differences
- AvaTrade scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.9.
- Stock trade fee is lower at AvaTrade: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only AvaTrade offers Forex, CFDs, Options.
- Markets: only Lightyear offers Funds.
- Features: only AvaTrade offers Demo account, Mobile app, Copy trading.
- Features: only Lightyear offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only AvaTrade offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only Lightyear offers Low fees.
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.
Lightyear
Lightyear suits you if you want stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto in a place with clear upkeep costs and email based help. Your stock trades cost $1, account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0 while cover reaches EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Score breakdown
| Area | AvaTrade | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Stock dealing costs $0 with no deposit or withdrawal fees, offset by an inactivity fee of $50. | 9.1HigherUpkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 with trades at $1 |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 8.8Covers stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares and crypto access for varied plans |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.7Cover through EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 alongside Estonian supervision for reassurance |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | AvaTrade | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
What we checked
AvaTrade
- forexsuggest.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingcritique.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Lightyear
- lightyear.com: 12 facts, checked September 29, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | AvaTrade | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 89 of 471 | 38 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AvaTrade | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Copy trading | Crypto, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | AvaTrade | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | €1 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AvaTrade | Lightyear | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0at the median | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.35%below the median | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.42%below the median | 3% |
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%
Lightyear
Pros
- Account upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 keep quiet months calm
- You can hold stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares available for smaller positions
- You can begin from €1, below many peers, with cash interest at 2.42%
Cons
- Stock trades at $1 look pricey beside ActivTrades at $0 for frequent equity orders
- Currency conversion at 0.35% adds cost when you trade outside your base currency
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so you use email and help centre without phone or chat
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
Lightyear
Who it suits
- You want upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 and prefer XTB only if ticket fees matter more
- You seek stocks, ETFs and crypto from modest sums starting at €1 rather than eToro style ranged pricing
Who should look elsewhere
- You trade stocks very often and want ticket fees of $0 from ActivTrades rather than fees of $1
- You want phone or chat help rather than help on email and help centre, so XTB may suit you better
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.
Lightyear
What will I pay to trade stocks and keep the account open?+
Stock orders carry fees of $1. Account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0. Currency conversion applies at 0.35% when your trade currency differs from your account currency.
Who regulates Lightyear and where can I check it?+
Lightyear names Estonian Financial Supervision Authority and Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) as its supervisors. Oversight sits in Estonia under MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54. You can check the licence details on the relevant public register before you fund an account.
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