AvaTrade
Skilling
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
AvaTrade was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in The British Virgin Islands, while Skilling was established in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. AvaTrade holds licences including Central Bank of Ireland, while Skilling is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) among others. AvaTrade serves 200,000+ clients worldwide; Skilling has 5,000+. The minimum deposit is $250 at AvaTrade and $100 at Skilling.
| Feature | AvaTrade | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $100 |
| Regulation | Central Bank of Ireland, Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Financial Stability Board (FSB), British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI) | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), CIF license number 357/18, Financial Services Authority (FSA) under license No. SD042 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2016 |
| Country | The British Virgin Islands | Cyprus |
| Clients | 200,000+ | 5,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between AvaTrade and Skilling, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Skilling has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $250 at AvaTrade). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Overall, Skilling scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | AvaTrade | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $100 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
AvaTrade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Skilling supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | AvaTrade | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Mac, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how AvaTrade and Skilling compare. Skilling runs regular live webinars; AvaTrade does not. Both provide video tutorials. Skilling publishes daily market commentary; AvaTrade does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. Skilling maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Skilling scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | AvaTrade | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. AvaTrade accepts 4 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Neteller), while Skilling supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). AvaTrade uniquely supports PayPal and Neteller among the two brokers. AvaTrade scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | AvaTrade | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | No |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | Yes | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both AvaTrade and Skilling offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. AvaTrade supports 6 languages and Skilling supports 2, giving AvaTrade broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | AvaTrade | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Italian, German, French, Greek, and Hebrew | English, and Chinese |