Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AvaTrade vs Markets.com
What sets them apart
| Compare | AvaTrade ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $50 | $10Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread betting |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($100), Stock trade fee ($0).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Markets.com: $10 vs $50.
- Markets: only AvaTrade offers Options.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Spread betting.
- Platforms: only AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Features: only Markets.com 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.
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
Score breakdown
| Area | AvaTrade | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Stock dealing costs $0 with no deposit or withdrawal fees, offset by an inactivity fee of $50. | 8.9HigherCommission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.7 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.9 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AvaTrade | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 80 of 490 | 40 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 37 of 147 | 16 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 35 of 145 | 14 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 29 of 122 | 13 of 122 |
| Copy trading platforms | 9 of 37 | 4 of 37 |
If neither fits
Robinhood has inactivity fee at $0, against $50 for AvaTrade and $10 for Markets.com.
Robinhood reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | AvaTrade | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Copy trading | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, CryptoCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AvaTrade | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $100above the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $50highest quarter | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4%above the median | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6%above the median | 0.4% |
Median across 99 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%
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $0
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
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
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.
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
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