AvaTrade Fees: Spreads, Commissions and Trading Costs
- Standard account: $9/lot on EUR/USD (0.9 pips, no commission) — 18% below the industry average of $11/lot
- Professional account: $6/lot (0.6 pips, no commission) — requires eligibility criteria most retail traders won’t meet
- Commission-free on all accounts with “fixed” spreads — simpler and more predictable than variable-spread brokers
- Inactivity fee: $50/quarter after 3 months + $100 admin after 12 months — among the steepest in the industry
- Zero deposit and withdrawal fees; 0.5% currency conversion fee if account currency ≠ deposit currency
AvaTrade is a globally regulated broker (ASIC, CySEC, CBI, and 6 other jurisdictions) that has traded over 400,000 accounts worldwide since 2006. Its fee model is built around simplicity: no commissions on any account, fixed spreads that stay relatively stable during normal market conditions, and a straightforward two-account structure (Standard and Professional). The Standard account charges a typical EUR/USD spread of 0.9 pips ($9 per standard lot) — 18% below the industry average — while the Professional account drops to 0.6 pips ($6/lot) for qualifying traders.
This guide breaks down every AvaTrade trading cost — spreads by account type, how “fixed” spreads actually work in practice, what one trade really costs in dollars, the inactivity fee that catches occasional traders off guard, and how AvaTrade’s total costs compare to the industry average. We also answer the question behind the search: are AvaTrade’s fees worth the simplicity of a commission-free, fixed-spread model?
AvaTrade — fixed spreads from 0.9 pips, zero commissions, regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and CBI. $100 minimum deposit.
57% of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs with this provider.
AvaTrade Fee Summary
Here is every fee AvaTrade charges — and every fee it doesn’t — in one table. This covers the Standard (Retail) account; Professional account differences are noted in the sections below.
| Fee Type | AvaTrade Charges |
|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread (Standard) | 0.9 pips typical ($9/lot) |
| EUR/USD Spread (Professional) | 0.6 pips typical ($6/lot) |
| Commission (All Accounts) | None — cost is built into the spread |
| Swap / Overnight Fee | Variable — charged on positions held past 10 PM GMT |
| Inactivity Fee | $50/quarter after 3 months + $100 admin after 12 months |
| Deposit Fees | None |
| Withdrawal Fees | None |
| Currency Conversion | 0.5% if account currency ≠ deposit/trade currency |
| AvaProtect Premium | Variable — optional fee for trade protection (AvaTradeGO only) |
Spreads
AvaTrade uses a spread-only pricing model — there are no commissions on any account type. All trading costs are embedded in the bid-ask spread. AvaTrade markets its spreads as “fixed,” which means they offer greater stability than typical variable-spread brokers during normal market conditions. However, during extreme volatility (major news events, flash crashes), even AvaTrade’s spreads can widen.
Spreads by Account Type
Typical spreads during normal trading hours. AvaTrade offers two main account types: Standard (available to all retail traders) and Professional (requires meeting eligibility criteria).
| Instrument | Standard | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.9 pips | 0.6 pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.2 pips | 0.9 pips |
| USD/JPY | 1.3 pips | 1.1 pips |
| AUD/USD | 0.9 pips | 0.8 pips |
| USD/CAD | 1.8 pips | 1.5 pips |
| EUR/GBP | 1.2 pips | 0.9 pips |
| NZD/USD | 1.4 pips | 1.3 pips |
| Gold (XAUUSD) | 34 cents | ~25 cents |
Source: AvaTrade published spreads, cross-referenced with BestBrokers.com and CompareForexBrokers independent testing (2026). Gold spreads are in USD cents per ounce. Independent testing by CompareForexBrokers recorded EUR/USD averages as tight as 0.8 pips on the Standard account.
How AvaTrade Compares to the Industry
On the Standard (commission-free) account, AvaTrade beats the industry average on most major pairs — with one notable exception:
| Pair | AvaTrade Standard | Industry Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.9 pips | 1.1 pips | −18% |
| GBP/USD | 1.2 pips | 1.4 pips | −14% |
| USD/JPY | 1.3 pips | 1.4 pips | −7% |
| AUD/USD | 0.9 pips | 1.3 pips | −31% |
| USD/CAD | 1.8 pips | 1.7 pips | +6% |
| EUR/GBP | 1.2 pips | 1.4 pips | −14% |
Source: CompareForexBrokers standard account spread benchmark, updated May 2026.
AvaTrade markets its spreads as “fixed,” but this requires context. Under normal market conditions, the spread on EUR/USD stays at 0.9 pips regardless of when you trade. This is a genuine advantage over variable-spread brokers, where spreads can be 0.3 pips during peak hours but spike to 3+ pips during low liquidity or news events.
However, AvaTrade’s spreads are not guaranteed fixed in all conditions. During extreme volatility — think central bank surprises, geopolitical shocks, or flash crashes — they can and do widen. The practical benefit: in normal daily trading, you always know your exact cost. You lose the advantage when markets are at their most volatile, which is exactly when wide spreads hurt most.
Compared to variable-spread brokers: you pay slightly more during the calmest hours (when variable spreads are tightest) in exchange for more predictable costs the rest of the time.
Commissions
AvaTrade charges zero commissions on all account types. This is the simplest commission structure possible: what you see in the spread is what you pay. There are no hidden per-lot charges, no tiered commission structures, and no differences between account types in how commissions work.
| Account | Commission Model | Per Side | Round-Turn (1 lot) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (Retail) | None | — | $0 | All costs in the spread |
| Professional | None | — | $0 | All costs in the spread (tighter spreads) |
This commission-free model makes AvaTrade easy to understand — you always know your exact cost before placing a trade. The trade-off is that AvaTrade doesn’t offer a raw-spread or ECN account. Brokers like Exness let you trade with near-zero spreads and pay a small fixed commission instead, which can result in lower total costs for high-volume traders. AvaTrade’s model is simpler; it’s not always cheaper.
While forex and indices are commission-free, stock CFDs carry a markup of approximately 0.13–0.19% per trade. This isn’t listed as a “commission” in AvaTrade’s fee schedule, but it functions the same way. If you plan to trade stock CFDs, factor this into your cost comparison. For forex-only traders, this doesn’t apply.
Swap / Overnight Fees
If you hold a position overnight past 10:00 PM GMT (the daily server rollover), AvaTrade charges or credits a swap fee based on the interest rate differential between the two currencies in your pair. On Wednesdays, swaps are tripled to account for the weekend settlement period. Swap rates change daily and vary by instrument and direction (long vs. short).
Swap rates are dynamic and change daily based on interbank rates. Check current rates in your MT4/MT5 platform: right-click any symbol → Specification → look for “Swap Long” and “Swap Short.” We don’t publish static swap tables because they’d be outdated within a day.
AvaTrade offers swap-free trading via its Islamic account, which is compliant with Sharia law. Unlike Exness, which offers swap-free to all traders, AvaTrade restricts swap-free status to eligible Islamic traders who can verify their eligibility.
Key limitations: The Islamic account widens spreads by approximately 1 pip above the standard spread to compensate for the absence of swap fees. Positions held for more than 5 consecutive days may still incur administrative charges. Cryptocurrency and certain exotic pairs (RUB, MXN, TRY, ZAR) are not available on the Islamic account.
Practical advice: If you’re a day trader who closes positions before 10 PM GMT, swaps are irrelevant to you regardless of account type. If you hold positions for days and qualify for an Islamic account, apply — but factor in the wider spreads (~1 pip extra) when calculating your total cost.
Total Cost Per Trade
This is the number that actually matters. Since AvaTrade charges no commissions, the total cost per trade equals the spread cost. Here’s what one standard lot (100,000 units) of EUR/USD actually costs on each AvaTrade account type.
| Account | EUR/USD Spread | Spread Cost | Commission | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (Retail) | 0.9 pips | $9.00 | $0 | $9.00 |
| Professional | 0.6 pips | $6.00 | $0 | $6.00 |
For forex pairs quoted to 5 decimal places: spread in pips × $10 = spread cost per standard lot. Example: 0.9 pip spread on EUR/USD = 0.9 × $10 = $9.00 per lot.
For gold (XAUUSD): spread in cents × 100 oz = cost per standard lot. Example: 34 cent spread = $34/lot.
These calculations use typical spreads during normal trading hours. Actual costs vary with market conditions.
How AvaTrade Compares to Exness on Cost
Since both brokers target similar markets, here’s a direct cost comparison on EUR/USD:
| Account Type | AvaTrade | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission-free (Standard) | $9/lot | $8/lot | Exness (−$1/lot) |
| Best available (Pro) | $6/lot | $6/lot (Pro) | Tie on price* |
| Raw/ECN option | Not available | $7/lot (Raw Spread) | Exness (has the option) |
| Inactivity fee | $50/quarter | $0 | Exness |
*AvaTrade’s Pro account requires regulatory qualifying criteria (trading history, portfolio size, or financial industry experience). Exness’s Pro account requires a $200 minimum deposit with no other eligibility restrictions. In practice, most retail traders can access Exness Pro but not AvaTrade Pro.
Which Account Is Right for You?
Most traders will use the Standard account because the Professional account requires qualifying criteria that most retail traders won’t meet. This is the key practical difference from brokers like Exness, which offer multiple account tiers accessible to anyone.
For beginners: the Standard account at $9/lot EUR/USD is straightforward. No commission math, predictable fixed spreads, and a $100 minimum deposit. The 18% discount vs. the industry average means you’re not overpaying, even if cheaper options exist.
For experienced/high-volume traders: if you qualify for Professional, the $6/lot cost is competitive with the best in the industry. If you don’t qualify, you’re locked into $9/lot — and at high volumes, the $1–$3/lot difference vs. an ECN broker adds up fast. A trader doing 50 lots/month saves $50–$150/month by switching to a broker with raw-spread accounts.
For traders who value simplicity: this is where AvaTrade wins. No commission calculations, no choosing between 5 account types, no worrying about variable commission structures. You see a spread, you know your cost. If predictability matters more than squeezing the last dollar from every trade, AvaTrade delivers.
AvaTrade offers AvaProtect on its AvaTradeGO app — a feature that reimburses your losses on a trade for a specific time period, in exchange for a premium. This is essentially trade insurance. The premium varies by instrument, trade size, and protection period, and it’s deducted when you open the trade.
AvaProtect is entirely optional. But if you enable it without understanding the cost, it can significantly increase your per-trade expenses. Think of it as paying more per trade in exchange for a safety net. Useful for risk-averse traders; expensive for everyone else.
No commissions on any account. Fixed spreads from 0.9 pips. Regulated in 9+ jurisdictions worldwide. Open an account with $100.
57% of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs with this provider.
Non-Trading Fees
Inactivity Fee
AvaTrade charges one of the more aggressive inactivity fee structures in the industry. After 3 consecutive months with no trading activity, you’ll be charged $50 per quarter ($/€/£50 in your account currency). If your account remains inactive for 12 consecutive months, an additional $100 administration fee is applied on top of the quarterly charges.
To put this in perspective: if you deposit $500, take a 12-month break, and come back, you could find $300 deducted from your balance ($50 × 4 quarters + $100 admin). Compare this to Exness, which charges zero inactivity fees — your balance stays untouched regardless of how long you’re inactive.
How to avoid it: one trade of any size in any instrument resets the 3-month clock. If you plan to step away from trading for an extended period, either close your AvaTrade account or withdraw your funds. Don’t leave money sitting in a dormant account.
Currency Conversion
If your deposit currency or trading instrument currency differs from your account base currency, a 0.5% conversion fee applies. This is a single flat rate — not a range like some brokers — which makes it predictable. To eliminate it, open your account in the same currency you’ll deposit with. AvaTrade supports USD, EUR, GBP, and several other base currencies.
Deposit and Withdrawal Fees
AvaTrade charges zero fees on all deposits and withdrawals. This applies to credit/debit cards, bank wire transfers, and e-wallets. Note that your bank or payment processor may charge its own fees on wire transfers — these are not AvaTrade charges. For full details on supported payment methods and processing times, see our AvaTrade Deposit guide and AvaTrade Withdrawal guide.
How to Reduce Your Trading Costs on AvaTrade
AvaTrade’s commission-free model keeps things simple, but there are still ways to minimize what you pay per trade. Here are five practical steps to reduce your AvaTrade trading costs.
- Apply for a Professional account if you qualify. The Pro account cuts EUR/USD costs from $9/lot to $6/lot — a 33% saving. You need to meet at least two of three criteria: significant trading activity, relevant financial industry experience, or a large instrument portfolio. If you’re close to qualifying, it’s worth pursuing.
- Trade during London/New York overlap (1 PM – 5 PM GMT). Even with “fixed” spreads, AvaTrade’s execution quality is best during peak liquidity hours. You’ll experience less slippage and more reliable fills, which keeps your effective cost closer to the advertised spread.
- Never leave your account dormant. The $50/quarter inactivity fee is the single easiest cost to avoid. If you’re taking a break from active trading, either place one small trade per quarter to reset the clock, withdraw your balance, or close the account. A forgotten $500 balance loses $300 in a year.
- Open your account in your primary deposit currency. This avoids the 0.5% currency conversion fee on every deposit and withdrawal. If you deposit in USD, open a USD account. If you deposit in EUR, open a EUR account.
- Skip AvaProtect unless you have a specific reason. The trade-protection premium is tempting, but for most traders, it increases per-trade costs without improving long-term results. Standard stop-loss orders provide free risk management. Reserve AvaProtect for situations where you need guaranteed loss protection on a specific position — not as a default for every trade.
Conclusion
AvaTrade’s fees are competitive but not market-leading. The Standard account at $9/lot on EUR/USD is 18% below the industry average, with the simplicity of zero commissions and relatively stable fixed spreads. The Professional account at $6/lot is excellent, but it’s gated behind qualifying criteria that most retail traders can’t meet.
AvaTrade is most cost-effective for traders who value simplicity and predictability. You always know your exact trading cost in advance, there are no commission surprises, and you don’t need to choose between five account types. Where AvaTrade falls short: the inactivity fee is aggressive ($50/quarter is among the highest in the industry), the lack of raw-spread accounts means high-volume traders pay more than they would at ECN brokers, and the “fixed” spread model means you’re paying a slight premium during the most liquid hours when variable spreads would be tighter.
Regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and CBI. Commission-free trading with fixed spreads from 0.9 pips. Zero deposit and withdrawal fees. $100 minimum deposit.
57% of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs with this provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.