Alison Heyerdahl
Edited by
Author
Alison Heyerdahl
Edited by
Alison Heyerdahl
Head of Content

<p>Alison Heyerdahl is the Head of Content at FxScouts, a Chartered Market Technician (CMT), and an experienced trader, as well as a financial writer with extensive expertise in Forex trading, broker analysis, and market research. She has reviewed 100+ brokers, publishes weekly YouTube trading videos, and co-hosts the “Let’s Talk Forex” podcast.</p>

Learn more about Alison Heyerdahl
Author
Author
Chris Cammack
Partner Manager and Financial Writer

Chris manages the relationships with our partners to provide the best Forex trading experience possible for our users. Chris has 15+ years of research, and editorial and design experience for political and financial publications. His background has given him a deep understanding of international financial markets and the geopolitics that affect them.

Learn more about Chris Cammack

AvaTrade vs. markets.com

In the fast-paced world of forex trading, choosing the right broker is crucial. AvaTrade and markets.com are two popular options, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. This comparison will dive into the key features of both platforms,helping you decide which one best suits your trading style and goals.

Select Brokers to Compare

Regulation

Regulation
Australian Securities & Investment CommissionCentral Bank of IrelandCyprus Securities and Exchange CommissionFinancial Regulatory Services Authority
Financial Services AgencyFinancial Sector Conduct AuthorityIsrael Securities Authority
Cyprus Securities and Exchange CommissionFinancial Services Authority – St. Vincent & the GrenadinesFinancial Sector Conduct Authority
Trading Desk Type
Market Maker
Market Maker
Trading Instruments
Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Stock CFDs, ETFs, Forex, Indices, Vanilla Options
Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Stock CFDs, ETFs, Forex, Indices

Conditions

Forex Pairs
63
54
Crypto Pairs
30
43
Pros
  • Top-tier regulation and security with licenses from ASIC and CBI among others
  • Accessible trading with a low minimum deposit of 100 USD
  • Award-winning mobile trading with the AvaTradeGO app with social trading features
  • Wide range of assets including unique instruments like vanilla options
  • Educational material to support trader development and strategy enhancement
  • Regulation by top-tier authorities
  • Hassle-free withdrawal process without any fees
  • Its proprietary trading platform is praised for its user-friendly interface catering to both beginners and experienced traders
  • Competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips
Cons
  • Market analysis could be more extensive
  • Avatrade is a Market Maker and operate a dealing desk which might not align with all trading preferences
  • Regulation by top-tier authorities
  • Hassle-free withdrawal process without any fees
  • Its proprietary trading platform is praised for its user-friendly interface catering to both beginners and experienced traders
  • Competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips
% Lose with this broker
76%
74%
Leverage
30:1
30:1
Spread
0.90 pips
1 pips
Hedging
Yes
Yes
Scalping
Yes
Yes
Account Types
Islamic, Professional, Retail
Live, Markets.com, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5
Islamic Account
Yes
Yes
Trading Platforms
AvaOptions, Avatrade Social, MT4, MT5
MT4, MT5, markets.com
Funding Methods
Bank Transfer, Klarna, Maestro, Mastercard, Neteller, Ozow, Paypal, POLi, Skrill, Visa, WebMoney
Bank Transfer, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Visa
Trading Commissions
Fees Included in Spread
Fees Included in Spread
Min. Deposit
AUD 100
AUD 100
Trading Cost
AUD 9
AUD 10
FP Markets FP Markets
AvaTrade
markets.com
Trust Rating
4.5
4
Trading Conditions
4.5
4.5
Trading Platforms
4.5
4.5
Deposit & Withdrawal
4.5
4.5
Assets Available
5
4.5
Education & Research
5
2.5
Customer Service
4.5
3.5
Beginner Friendly
3
3
Analysis Research
5
3
Overall Rating
4.59
/ 5
4.08
/ 5
Save this Comparison

How Do AvaTrade and markets.com Compare?

The radar chart above illustrates the comparison between AvaTrade and markets.com across several key metrics, with the highest possible score being 100 in each category.

Helping You Choose the Right Broker

At FxScouts, our mission is to assist traders in finding the broker that best suits their needs. Comparing brokers side-by-side is an effective method to achieve this goal. We evaluated AvaTrade and markets.com, using our standard criteria: trust and regulation, trading platforms, costs and trading conditions, and educational and market analysis resources.

Trust and Regulation

Trust and regulation are crucial when selecting a Forex broker. A broker’s credibility is largely built on its regulatory status. We spend considerable time verifying the safety of each broker by examining their regulatory licenses.  We also consider numerous factors when deciding which tier a regulator belongs to. Regulators that we rank as the world’s top regulators, gets a tier 1 rank, while regulators who only scores a tier 5-rank, provide virtually no regulatory oversight. The more top-tier authorities regulating a broker, the higher its trust rating. Read more about regulation and our tier system here.

In our comparison:

  • AvaTrade holds three Tier 1 and two Tier 2 licences.
  • markets.com holds one Tier 1 and no Tier 2 licences.

Based on these findings, AvaTrade earned a higher trust rating than markets.com.

Is AvaTrade financially regulated?

Yes AvaTrade was founded in 2006 and is regulated by ASIC, CBI, CySEC, FRSA, FSA-Japan, FSCA and ISA.

 

Is markets.com financially regulated?

Yes markets.com was founded in 2008 and is regulated by CySEC, FSA-St-Vincent and FSCA.

 

Trading Costs Comparison

When comparing brokers, trading costs are a significant factor. We consider the minimum deposit required to open an account and ongoing costs, including spreads and commissions. We measure the cost to trade one lot of EUR/USD using the broker’s account with the lowest minimum deposit, including both the spread and any commission charged.

We found that AvaTrade has overall lower trading costs than markets.com.

Top Overall Brokers by Broker Score

Trading Platforms Offered

Trading Platforms Offered Traders prefer brokers that offer a variety of trading platforms. We rate brokers higher if they support multiple platforms like MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, cTrader, and proprietary platforms.

  • AvaTrade supports AvaOptions, Avatrade Social, MT4 and MT5
  • markets.com supports MT4, MT5 and markets.com

Copy Trading Availability

Copy trading is beneficial for beginner traders or those unable to trade full-time. In this case both AvaTrade and markets.com offer copy trading.

Range of Trading Instruments

A broader range of CFD instruments provides more trading opportunities. AvaTrade offers a greater variety of instruments compared to markets.com:

  • AvaTrade: 63 Forex pairs.
  • markets.com: 54 Forex pairs.

Cryptocurrency Trading

For those interested in trading cryptocurrencies, markets.com offers 43 cryptocurrencies, while AvaTrade offers 30 cryptocurrencies. Therefore, markets.com is the better choice for cryptocurrency trading.

Deposit and Withdrawal Processes

Traders prefer brokers with quick and cost-effective deposit and withdrawal processes. We favor brokers that process withdrawals within 24 hours using multiple methods without charging fees.We found that neither AvaTrade nor markets.com charges a withdrawal fee. Overall, AvaTrade has better deposit and withdrawal processes than markets.com. 

Educational Support?

We often find that brokers offer very little in the way of educational materials, forcing traders to use other third-party sites or self-educate elsewhere. Beginner traders need well-structured, well-presented materials in multiple formats to get a good start at trading. More experienced traders also benefit from webinars led by experts in the field and advanced trading strategy sections with new trading ideas. 

AvaTrade and markets.com both have very good educational support. Both AvaTrade and markets.com offer educational support for more experienced traders.

Market Analysis Materials

Access to frequent and high-quality market research and analysis is crucial.

We found that AvaTrade offers better research analysis than markets.com and that both AvaTrade and markets.com offer frequent webinars.

Overall Verdict

  • AvaTrade:

    AvaTrade Australia has low trading fees, a wide range of trading instruments, and a choice of four different trading platforms. AvaTrade offers some of the best trading tools in the industry, alongside a world-class selection of educational and market analysis materials. As one of the best all-around Forex brokers, AvaTrade will be an attractive choice for most traders.

    Avatrade is also popular for its award-winning mobile app which has excellent risk management tools and a direct connection to AvaSocial, AvaTrade’s popular social trading system.

    Australian traders will also be pleased to find that AvaTrade is regulated by ASIC, its local regulatory body and that AvaTrade provides local customer support via a local telephone number.

  • markets.com:

    Finalto (Australia) Pty Ltd (ACN 158 641 064) is no longer offering services to retail clients. This decision reflects a strategic shift in its business operations. As alternatives, we recommend that traders look at Pepperstone or FP Markets.

    A well-regulated broker with a competitive trading environment, Markets.com has a user-friendly, full-featured trading platform and a number of excellent trading tools making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced traders.

    Markets.com offers traders fast, low-cost trading on a broad range of financial instruments, including over 2000 stock CFDs, Forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, ETFs, and bonds. Although Markets.com offers only one live account, spreads start at 0.6 pips (EUR/USD), with no commissions and a minimum deposit requirement of only 100 USD.

    Full support is offered for MT4, MT5, and Markets.com's award-winning in-house platform, Marketsx. An advanced multi-asset trading platform, Marketsx is packed full of features, including excellent trading tools, expert analysis, and in-depth charting. 

    Markets.com also provides a high level of customer service compared to other brokers, and all traders are assigned a dedicated Account Manager to assist with any queries regarding their account or using the platform.

Overall Ratings

  • AvaTrade: 4.59
  • markets.com: 4.08

For more detailed reviews, please read our comprehensive assessments of AvaTrade and markets.com.

FP Markets
AvaTrade
Yes
FSCA Regulated
Yes
30:1
Leverage
30:1
MT4, MT5
Platforms
MT4, MT5
0.0 pips
Min. Spread
0.9 pips
AUD 100
Min. Deposit
AUD 100
Pepperstone
XM
No
FSCA Regulated
No
30:1
Leverage
30:1
MT4, MT5
Platforms
MT4, MT5
0.0 pips
Min. Spread
0.6 pips
AUD 100
Min. Deposit
AUD 5
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
Yes
FSCA Regulated
No
30:1
Leverage
30:1
MT4, MT5
Platforms
MT4, MT5
0.9 pips
Min. Spread
0.0 pips
AUD 100
Min. Deposit
AUD 100
BlackBull Markets
FxPro
No
FSCA Regulated
Yes
500:1
Leverage
200:1
MT4, MT5
Platforms
MT4, MT5
0.1 pips
Min. Spread
0.4 pips
USD 0
Min. Deposit
AUD 100
Unbiased Expertise

Independent, in-depth reviews and comparisons of all ASIC-regulated Forex brokers, empowering you to make informed choices.

Educational Resources

Comprehensive guides for all levels, from the basics of Forex to advanced strategies tailored for your experience.

Transparent Information

A focus on facts, accuracy, and up-to-date data to give you the insights you need to succeed in your Forex journey.

usp-polygon-left
usp-polygon-right

Best Forex Brokers in Australia 2026 (9)

To find the best forex brokers for Australian traders, we analysed internationally regulated brokers that accept clients from Australia. Our evaluation considered key factors like top-tier regulation, trading conditions, platform quality, fees, and customer support. We then ranked them by overall score to help traders choose the most suitable option.


Min. Deposit

AUD 0
FP Markets
4.60
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
AUD 100
Max. Leverage (Forex)
30:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 6
Platforms
cTrader, MT4, MT5, IRESS, TradingView
Beginner Friendly
Excellent
ASIC Regulated
Yes
International Regulators
regulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulator
Pepperstone
4.61
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
AUD 100
Max. Leverage (Forex)
30:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 10
Platforms
cTrader, MT4, MT5, Pepperstone Platform, TradingView
Beginner Friendly
Excellent
ASIC Regulated
Yes
International Regulators
regulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulator
AvaTrade
4.59
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
AUD 100
Max. Leverage (Forex)
30:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 9
Platforms
AvaOptions, Avatrade Social, MT4, MT5
Beginner Friendly
Excellent
ASIC Regulated
Yes
International Regulators
regulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulator
BlackBull Markets
4.28
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
USD 0
Max. Leverage (Forex)
500:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 8
Platforms
cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Beginner Friendly
Excellent
ASIC Regulated
No
International Regulators
regulatorregulator
Fusion Markets
4.41
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
AUD 0
Max. Leverage (Forex)
500:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 4
Platforms
cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Beginner Friendly
Excellent
ASIC Regulated
Yes
International Regulators
regulatorregulator
IG
4.69
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
AUD 0
Max. Leverage (Forex)
30:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 6
Platforms
MT4, L2 Dealer, TradingView
Beginner Friendly
Excellent
ASIC Regulated
Yes
International Regulators
regulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulator
FxPro
4.39
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
AUD 100
Max. Leverage (Forex)
200:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 14
Platforms
cTrader, MT4, MT5, FxProEdge
Beginner Friendly
Excellent
ASIC Regulated
No
International Regulators
regulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulator
Axi
4.43
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
AUD 0
Max. Leverage (Forex)
30:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 10
Platforms
MT4, MT5, TradingView
Beginner Friendly
Standard
ASIC Regulated
Yes
International Regulators
regulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulatorregulator
Eightcap
4.53
Read Review

Our broker ratings are derived from rigorous testing by industry experts and experienced traders. We thoroughly evaluate regulatory compliance, security, transparency, trading performance, and customer service. We never accept payment for higher scores, ensuring our ratings remain unbiased, factual, and trustworthy—so you can confidently choose a reliable broker for your financial safety and trading success.

For detailed information about our testing methodology click here.

Min. Deposit
AUD 100
Max. Leverage (Forex)
30:1
Cost of Trading
Total trading cost at the time of last update, for 1 lot of EUR/USD using the account with the lowest minimum deposit. Includes spread and commission.
USD 10
Platforms
MT4, MT5, TradingView
Beginner Friendly
Excellent
ASIC Regulated
Yes
International Regulators
regulatorregulatorregulatorregulator
Listen Now!

Let's Talk Forex with Alison & Chris


Alison and Chris cover a range of topics, including how to choose a Forex broker, safety and regulation, how to reduce your risk, trading psychology, trading platforms, and trading strategies, among others.

The FxScouts podcast helps beginner Forex traders get the best start to their trading careers.