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AvaTrade and eToro are two of the most popular brokers for beginners, and both are known for copy trading. They are built very differently, though. AvaTrade is a forex and CFD broker with MetaTrader and several copy trading services. eToro is a multi-asset investing app where you can buy real stocks, ETFs and crypto and copy other investors with a couple of taps.
The short answer: eToro is the better choice if you want to invest in real stocks and ETFs, trade crypto or copy other people in one simple app. AvaTrade is the better choice if you mainly trade forex and CFDs and want MetaTrader, slightly tighter spreads and no withdrawal fees. eToro scores 4.2 out of 5 in our reviews and AvaTrade 4.0.
AvaTrade vs eToro at a glance
| AvaTrade | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.0 out of 5 | 4.2 out of 5 |
| Founded | 2006 (Dublin) | 2007 |
| Regulation | Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, ASIC, FSA Japan, FSCA, FSRA, CMA and FSC BVI | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS and FSA Seychelles; FINRA member in the US |
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $50 in most countries ($100 in the US) |
| EUR/USD spread | About 0.9 pips, no commission | About 1 pip, no commission |
| Real stocks and ETFs | No, CFDs only | Yes: about 4,900 stocks and close to 1,000 ETFs |
| Total instruments | About 1,260 | About 7,400 |
| Forex pairs | 53 | 65 |
| Platforms | AvaTradeGO, WebTrader, MT4, MT5 and AvaOptions | eToro web platform and app (no MetaTrader) |
| Copy trading | AvaSocial, DupliTrade and ZuluTrade | CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios |
| Inactivity fee | $50 every three months after three months idle, plus $100 after a year | None, according to eToro’s current fee page |
| Withdrawal fees | None | $5 from USD accounts; free from local currency accounts |
| US clients | Not accepted | Accepted for stocks, ETFs, options and crypto, but not forex or CFDs |
Trading costs: AvaTrade for forex, eToro for stocks
For forex, AvaTrade is a little cheaper. It charges no commission and its typical EUR/USD spread is about 0.9 pips, against about 1 pip at eToro. ForexBrokers.com rates AvaTrade 4.5 out of 5 for fees and eToro 4 out of 5.
For stocks and ETFs the picture flips, because AvaTrade only offers CFDs. eToro lets you buy real shares for $1 to $2 per trade in most regions, and ETFs are commission free. Crypto costs 1% each way on eToro.
The non-trading fees matter here. AvaTrade charges $50 after three months without trading, repeated every three months, plus a $100 administration fee after a year. eToro dropped its inactivity fee in 2026, but it charges $5 on withdrawals from USD accounts and a currency conversion fee whenever you fund or withdraw in another currency, which is the cost most non-US users notice.
Copy trading: eToro is easier, AvaTrade has more routes
eToro is the best known copy trading platform in the industry. CopyTrader is built into the main app: you filter investors by risk score, returns, drawdown and holding period, check their full history, and copy them in proportion to the amount you allocate, with no extra fee. Smart Portfolios add themed baskets that eToro rebalances for you.
AvaTrade offers three routes. AvaSocial is its own copy trading app and works from the $100 minimum. DupliTrade copies a curated list of providers but needs $2,000 on MT4 or $500 on MT5. ZuluTrade connects you to a large third party network of signal providers. AvaTrade adds no copy commission on top of the spread. For a wider comparison, see our guide to the best copy trading brokers.
Regulation and safety: both are strong
Both brokers are among the more heavily regulated names in retail trading. eToro is regulated by the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, ASIC in Australia and MAS in Singapore, and as a Nasdaq listed company it publishes audited results. AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, ASIC and regulators in Japan, South Africa, Abu Dhabi and Kenya, with a BVI company for clients elsewhere. ForexBrokers.com gives eToro a Trust Score of 97 out of 99 and AvaTrade 96 out of 99, so there is little to choose between them.
Platforms and markets
eToro runs on its own web platform and app only. It is simple and polished, with a social feed on every instrument, but there is no MetaTrader and no automated trading. AvaTrade gives you AvaTradeGO, a WebTrader, MT4 and MT5 for Expert Advisors, and AvaOptions for vanilla options on currencies and metals.
eToro has the far bigger range, about 7,400 instruments including around 4,900 real stocks and close to 1,000 ETFs. AvaTrade lists about 1,260, almost all CFDs. eToro also has more forex pairs, 65 against 53 by ForexBrokers.com’s count.
Which should you choose?
Choose AvaTrade if:
- You mainly trade forex, gold or index CFDs
- You want MetaTrader 4 or 5, or to run Expert Advisors
- You want to copy traders through ZuluTrade or DupliTrade
- You want no withdrawal fees and trade often enough to avoid the inactivity fee
Choose eToro if:
- You want to own real stocks and ETFs
- You want the simplest way to copy other investors
- You want crypto alongside your other investments
- You may leave your account idle for months
Read our full AvaTrade review and eToro review, or compare more options in our guide to the best forex brokers. Ready to open an account? Visit AvaTrade or visit eToro. Your capital is at risk.
AvaTrade vs eToro: frequently asked questions
Is AvaTrade better than eToro?
For forex and CFD traders, AvaTrade is usually the better fit, with slightly tighter spreads, MetaTrader 4 and 5 and no withdrawal fees. For people who want to own real stocks and ETFs, copy other investors in one simple app or trade crypto, eToro is the better choice.
Which is better for copy trading, AvaTrade or eToro?
eToro, for most people. CopyTrader is built into the main app, shows each trader’s full history and risk score, and charges no extra fee for copying. AvaTrade offers more routes, AvaSocial, DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, which suits traders who want MetaTrader based copying.
Which is cheaper, AvaTrade or eToro?
For forex, AvaTrade is slightly cheaper at about 0.9 pips on EUR/USD against about 1 pip at eToro, and it charges no withdrawal fee. For buying stocks and ETFs, eToro is cheaper because AvaTrade only offers CFDs. Watch AvaTrade’s inactivity fee and eToro’s currency conversion costs.
Are AvaTrade and eToro safe?
Both are heavily regulated. ForexBrokers.com gives eToro a Trust Score of 97 out of 99 and AvaTrade 96 out of 99. eToro is regulated by the FCA, CySEC and ASIC among others and is listed on Nasdaq. AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, ASIC and regulators in Japan, South Africa and Abu Dhabi.
What is the minimum deposit at AvaTrade and eToro?
AvaTrade asks for $100. eToro asks for $50 in most countries and $100 in the US.
Can US residents use AvaTrade or eToro?
AvaTrade does not accept US clients. eToro does, for stocks, ETFs, options and crypto, but US clients cannot trade forex or CFDs on eToro. See our guide to the best forex brokers in the USA for regulated forex options.
Facts checked in October 2026 against each broker’s website, ForexBrokers.com, BrokerChooser and other independent reviews, as listed in our full reviews. Fees and terms change, so confirm the current figures on the broker’s site before you open an account.