AvaTrade vs eToro
Two popular brokers compared. Which platform better serves your trading needs?
At a Glance
Key differences between AvaTrade and eToro at a glance.
Choose AvaTrade If You Want:
- Industry-standard platforms (MT4/MT5)
- Structured educational content
- Maximum regulatory protection
- AvaProtect risk management
- Welcome bonus up to $10,000
Choose eToro If You Want:
- Best-in-class copy trading
- Real stock ownership
- Social trading community
- Lower minimum deposit ($50)
- More instruments (3,000+)
Deep Dive Two Different Philosophies AvaTrade and eToro represent fundamentally different approaches to retail trading. Understanding this distinction will make your choice much clearer.
AvaTrade follows the classic forex/CFD broker model. They offer standard platforms (MT4/MT5) that work across the industry, comprehensive educational resources, and multiple account types. If you learn to trade on AvaTrade, those skills and tools transfer to any other MT4/MT5 broker. They're a 'teach you to fish' broker.
eToro pioneered social trading — the idea that following successful traders is easier than learning to trade yourself. Their platform is designed around community, copying, and accessibility. You don't need to learn technical analysis; just find traders with good track records and copy them. They're a 'let experts fish for you' platform.
If you're committed to learning trading as a skill, building your own strategies, and potentially trading professionally someday — AvaTrade's approach serves you better. The knowledge transfers. If you're a busy professional who wants market exposure without dedicating hours to learning — eToro's copy trading lets you participate without the learning curve.
Many traders use both. eToro for passive copy trading (set it and forget it), AvaTrade for active trading where they apply their own analysis. There's no rule saying you can only have one broker account.
Overview Comparison
Key features and capabilities side-by-side.
Comparison Table
Compare features, pricing, or specifications
| Feature | AvaTrade | eToro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2007 | AvaTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $50 | eToro |
| Instruments | 1,250+ | 3,000+ | eToro |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, WebTrader, AvaTradeGO | Proprietary only | AvaTrade |
| Copy Trading | DupliTrade, ZuluTrade | CopyTrader (native) | eToro |
| Regulation | 6+ regulators | 3 regulators | AvaTrade |
| Our Rating | 4.2/5 | 4/5 | AvaTrade |
Fees & Costs Comparison
Trading costs breakdown for both brokers.
Comparison Table
Compare features, pricing, or specifications
| Fee Type | AvaTrade | eToro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.9 pips | 1.0 pips | AvaTrade |
| Stock Trading | CFDs only (spread) | Commission-free | eToro |
| Crypto Trading | CFDs (spread) | 1% fee + spread | Tie |
| Withdrawal Fee | 1 free/month | $5 per withdrawal | AvaTrade |
| Inactivity Fee | $50/quarter after 3mo | $10/month after 12mo | eToro |
| Currency Conversion | 0.5% | 1.5% | AvaTrade |
Deep Dive Beyond the Headline Spreads When comparing broker costs, many traders focus only on spreads. Here's a more complete picture of what you'll actually pay.
For forex traders: AvaTrade wins marginally with 0.9 pip EUR/USD spreads vs eToro's 1.0 pip. On a standard lot, that's about $1 difference per trade. If you're trading 5 lots daily, that's $25/day or $500/month. For active forex traders, AvaTrade is cheaper.
For stock investors: eToro wins decisively. Commission-free real stock trading (you own the shares) beats AvaTrade's spread-based CFD approach. If you're building a portfolio of actual stocks for long-term holding, eToro is the clear choice. Note: eToro's commission-free trading has a spread built in, but it's still cheaper than most alternatives.
Hidden cost — currency conversion: If you're depositing in a currency other than USD, pay attention. AvaTrade charges 0.5% conversion; eToro charges 1.5% — three times more. On a $10,000 deposit, that's $50 vs $150. For non-USD traders, this cost adds up significantly over time.
The inactivity trap: Both charge inactivity fees, but eToro is actually better here. eToro charges $10/month after 12 months of no activity. AvaTrade charges $50/quarter after just 3 months. If you're a sporadic trader, eToro gives you more grace period.
Trading Platforms
Platform availability and capabilities compared.
AvaTrade Platforms
MetaTrader 4
Industry standard with EAs, custom indicators, mobile trading
Most PopularMetaTrader 5
More timeframes, better backtesting, multi-asset support
AvaTradeGO
Proprietary mobile app with AvaProtect risk management
WebTrader
Browser-based, no downloads required
Copy Trading
DupliTrade and ZuluTrade integration
eToro Platform
eToro Platform
All-in-one platform with social features, CopyTrader, and portfolio management
Proprietary OnlyeToro Mobile App
Full-featured mobile trading with social feed and copy trading
Highly RatedLimitations:
- No MT4/MT5 support
- No automated trading (EAs)
- Limited charting tools
- Platform skills non-transferable
Deep Dive Why This Decision Is Bigger Than It Seems Your choice of platform affects your long-term trading development. Here's what most comparisons don't tell you.
The MetaTrader Advantage: MT4/MT5 are industry standards used by 80%+ of retail forex traders. If you learn to trade on MetaTrader, you can switch to any of hundreds of brokers without relearning everything. Your indicators, templates, and EAs transfer. Your muscle memory stays the same. AvaTrade gives you portable skills.
The Walled Garden: eToro's proprietary platform is user-friendly but creates lock-in. Your CopyTrader portfolios, watchlists, and social connections only exist on eToro. If you ever want to move to a different broker, you start from scratch. This isn't necessarily bad — just understand the trade-off.
For automated traders: If you want to use Expert Advisors, algorithmic strategies, or automated trading, AvaTrade is your only option. eToro doesn't support any form of automated trading beyond copy trading. The MT4/MT5 ecosystem has tens of thousands of available EAs and indicators.
For casual investors: If you just want to check your investments occasionally, follow some traders, and not think too hard about platforms — eToro's simplicity is actually a feature, not a bug. Not everyone needs MT4's complexity.
Copy Trading Comparison
How each broker approaches copy trading.
AvaTrade Copy Trading
Strengths:
- Access to professional signal providers
- Works with MT4/MT5
- Multiple platform options
Weaknesses:
- Not natively integrated
- Requires separate accounts
- Less transparent than eToro
eToro CopyTrader
Strengths:
- Massive community of traders
- Full transparency (see exact trades)
- One-click copying
- Detailed performance statistics
- Smart Portfolios available
Weaknesses:
- Past performance doesn't guarantee future results
- Popular traders can have crowded trades
Deep Dive The Truth About Copy Trading Copy trading sounds magical — just follow successful traders and make money. Here's the reality.
eToro's CopyTrader is genuinely well-implemented. You can see exact historical performance, maximum drawdowns, risk scores, and what assets each trader trades. The filtering tools help you find traders matching your risk tolerance. Many Popular Investors (eToro's verified traders) have genuine track records over multiple years.
The caveats nobody mentions: Past performance really doesn't guarantee future results. A trader who made 50% last year might lose 30% this year. Markets change. Strategies stop working. Also, when thousands of people copy a trader simultaneously, it can affect fills — you might not get the same prices the original trader got.
AvaTrade's approach: DupliTrade and ZuluTrade offer access to signal providers who are often more professionally vetted. The downside is less transparency and more friction in the setup process. These platforms work better for traders who want signals they can choose to execute rather than fully automated copying.
Our recommendation: If copy trading is your primary goal, eToro is unquestionably better. Their system is more transparent, easier to use, and has a larger pool of traders to follow. Use it for passive, diversified copying. Don't put all your capital on one trader. Treat it like index investing for trading — spread your risk across multiple signal providers.
Regulation & Safety
Regulatory oversight and client fund protection compared.
AvaTrade Regulation
6+ Regulatory Licenses
- Central Bank of Ireland
- FCA (UK)
- ASIC (Australia)
- JFSA (Japan)
- CySEC (Cyprus)
- FSCA (South Africa)
eToro Regulation
3 Regulatory Licenses
- FCA (UK)
- ASIC (Australia)
- CySEC (Cyprus)
Both brokers are well-regulated. AvaTrade has more regulatory coverage, but eToro's regulations (FCA, ASIC, CySEC) cover most major markets adequately.
Deep Dive Which Regulatory Approach Is Better? AvaTrade holds more regulatory licenses across more jurisdictions. Each regulator adds oversight. The Central Bank of Ireland (AvaTrade's primary regulator) is arguably stricter than CySEC (eToro's primary for EU). More licenses = more regulatory oversight.
Let's be clear: both brokers are well-regulated, established, and safe for retail trading. Neither is likely to run off with your money. The differences are in degree of regulatory breadth (AvaTrade wins with 6+ licenses vs 3) and transparency.
Both offer segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and access to compensation schemes (FSCS in UK, etc.). In practice, your funds are similarly protected at either broker.
AvaTrade's broader licensing means more regulatory oversight from multiple jurisdictions. eToro's focus on three major regulators (FCA, ASIC, CySEC) is sufficient for most traders but doesn't provide the same global coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AvaTrade or eToro better for beginners?
Both are excellent for beginners, but for different reasons. eToro is better if you want to copy successful traders automatically (CopyTrader) and prefer a simple interface. AvaTrade is better if you want structured educational content and prefer using industry-standard platforms like MT4/MT5 that you can use with other brokers later.
Which has lower fees, AvaTrade or eToro?
It depends on what you trade. For forex, AvaTrade has slightly tighter spreads (0.9 vs 1.0 pips on EUR/USD). For stocks, eToro offers commission-free trading while AvaTrade charges via spreads. For crypto, both use spreads. AvaTrade has better withdrawal fees (1 free per month vs $5 per withdrawal at eToro).
Can I use MT4 or MT5 with eToro?
No, eToro only offers its proprietary platform and mobile app. If you prefer MetaTrader platforms or want to use Expert Advisors (automated trading), choose AvaTrade which supports MT4, MT5, and several other platforms.
Which broker is safer?
Both are very safe and well-regulated. AvaTrade has slightly stronger regulatory coverage with 6+ regulators including FCA, ASIC, CBI, CySEC, and JFSA. eToro is regulated by FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. Both offer negative balance protection and segregated client funds.
Which is better for copy trading?
eToro is significantly better for copy trading. Their CopyTrader feature is built natively into the platform with a huge community of traders to follow. AvaTrade offers copy trading through third-party integrations (DupliTrade, ZuluTrade) which work well but aren't as seamlessly integrated.
Can I trade real stocks (not CFDs)?
eToro offers both real stocks and stock CFDs. When you buy a stock without leverage, you own the underlying asset. AvaTrade only offers stock CFDs - you never own the actual shares. If owning real stocks matters to you, choose eToro.
Which has the better mobile app?
eToro's mobile app is generally considered more user-friendly with its clean interface and social features. AvaTrade's AvaTradeGO app is also solid with risk management features (AvaProtect). Both apps are well-rated on app stores.
Do either offer a bonus?
AvaTrade offers a welcome bonus of up to $10,000 with partner code 128979. Bonus terms vary by region due to regulations. eToro doesn't offer traditional deposit bonuses but provides a $100,000 virtual portfolio for practice trading.
Final Verdict: AvaTrade Wins Overall
AvaTrade Wins If:
- You want MT4/MT5 platform options
- Education and learning are priorities
- Maximum regulatory protection matters
- You want a welcome bonus (up to $10K)
- You're not in the US (better availability)
eToro Wins If:
- Copy trading is your main goal
- You want to own real stocks
- Social features and community matter
- You have a smaller starting budget
- Simplicity trumps customization
Our Recommendation Who We'd Recommend Each Broker To For most traders reading this comparison, the choice comes down to your primary goal: learning to trade yourself, or copying others.
Go with AvaTrade if: You're serious about learning to trade. You want transferable skills that work across the industry. You value regulatory security. You plan to eventually use automated strategies or EAs. You want the $10,000 welcome bonus to boost your starting capital.
Go with eToro if: You want market exposure without becoming a full-time trader. Copy trading appeals more than learning technical analysis. You want to buy actual stocks for long-term holding. You like being part of an active trading community. You prefer mobile-first, simple interfaces.
Or use both: There's no rule against having both. Many traders use eToro for passive copy trading and long-term stock positions, while using AvaTrade for active forex trading where MT4 tools and lower spreads matter. The accounts are free to open — try both and see which feels right.
matched with AvaTrade
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