Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Cyprus traders choosing between AvaTrade and Forex.com, the decision hinges on local regulatory alignment, cost efficiency, and payment convenience. Both brokers are licensed by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), ensuring robust investor protection under EU MiFID II rules. However, AvaTrade stands out with a higher overall rating (4.6/5 vs. 3.4/5) and offers lower spreads, a wider asset selection, and more flexible deposit options including USDT TRC20 and Skrill. Forex.com, part of StoneX Group, provides strong execution and research tools but lags in Cyprus-specific features such as localized support in Greek and faster withdrawal processing. Cypriot retail traders will find that AvaTrade's tailored approach—including bank transfer, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits—aligns better with local habits. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulation, and more to help you decide which broker best suits your needs in 2025.
| Instrument | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Forex.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Forex.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Forex.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Forex.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
For Cyprus traders, trading costs are a critical factor. AvaTrade offers tighter spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD (from 0.9 pips) compared to Forex.com (from 1.2 pips) on standard accounts. When trading higher volumes, the difference becomes significant: a Cyprus trader executing 50 lots per month on EUR/USD would save approximately $1,500 annually with AvaTrade. Forex.com's commission-based Raw Pricing account can narrow the gap, but requires a minimum deposit of $500 and still carries higher overall costs for typical retail volumes. Both brokers charge no deposit fees on bank transfers or Skrill, but AvaTrade also waives withdrawal fees for Cypriot clients, while Forex.com charges $10 for bank wire withdrawals. For day traders and scalpers, AvaTrade's lower per-trade cost in USD is more favourable.
| Account Type | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:50 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
AvaTrade provides Cyprus traders with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary WebTrader and mobile apps, all fully localized in Greek. Forex.com offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own Trading Station platform, but Greek language support is limited to basic translations. For Cypriot traders who rely on mobile trading, AvaTrade’s app has superior charting tools and one-click trading. Forex.com’s platforms excel in advanced order types and research, but the learning curve is steeper. AvaTrade also integrates with TradingView, a popular choice among Cyprus retail traders for technical analysis. Overall, AvaTrade provides a more user-friendly, localized platform experience.
| Factor | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
AvaTrade uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with an average fill speed of 0.1 seconds for Cyprus traders, minimizing slippage during volatile markets. Forex.com also uses NDD but reports an average fill speed of 0.3 seconds. Both brokers offer market execution for retail accounts, but AvaTrade’s lower latency and consistent pricing on EUR/USD and major indices like the DAX benefit short-term traders. Data compiled from Cyprus-based traders shows fewer requotes and better fill ratios with AvaTrade.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both AvaTrade and Forex.com are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license numbers 169/12 and 164/12 respectively. This means Cyprus traders benefit from negative balance protection, segregation of client funds, and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) covering up to €20,000 per client. CySEC regulation ensures compliance with EU MiFID II standards, including leverage limits of 30:1 for retail traders. However, AvaTrade additionally holds regulatory licenses in Australia, Japan, and South Africa, providing extra oversight for global trading. Forex.com, as part of publicly traded StoneX Group, has a strong US and UK regulatory footprint. For Cyprus traders, both brokers offer equivalent safety, but AvaTrade's broader local support enhances trust.
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
Cyprus traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both AvaTrade and Forex.com. AvaTrade processes deposits in USD instantly with no fees for any of these methods, including USDT TRC20—a growing favourite among Cypriot crypto users. Forex.com also supports these methods but charges a 1% fee on Neteller deposits and a $10 fee on bank transfers below $2,000. Withdrawals: AvaTrade offers free withdrawals via bank transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, processed within 1-2 business days. Forex.com’s bank wire withdrawals cost $10 and take 3-5 business days. For USDT TRC20 withdrawals, AvaTrade handles them within 24 hours, while Forex.com only supports crypto deposits, not withdrawals. Cypriot traders who value speed and low fees will prefer AvaTrade’s deposit and withdrawal options.
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Cyprus Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant accounts will find both AvaTrade and Forex.com offering Islamic (swap-free) accounts. AvaTrade provides swap-free status on all instruments including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, with no additional fees or time limits. Forex.com’s Islamic account covers forex and metals but excludes indices and stocks from swap-free treatment. Both require a written declaration of faith, and accounts are reviewed periodically to prevent abuse. AvaTrade’s broader instrument coverage makes it more suitable for Cyprus traders who want a diverse Islamic trading portfolio. Additionally, AvaTrade’s customer support in Greek can help explain the specific terms to local clients, making the process smoother.
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
For Cyprus traders, customer support in Greek is a key differentiator. AvaTrade offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in Greek, with average response times under 30 seconds. Forex.com’s support is primarily in English, with Greek available only during European business hours and limited to email. AvaTrade also has a dedicated Cyprus office for in-person inquiries, while Forex.com relies on remote support. Both brokers provide comprehensive FAQ sections, but AvaTrade’s localized assistance ensures quicker resolution for Cypriot clients.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Choose AvaTrade if you...
Choose Forex.com if you...
For Cyprus traders in 2025, AvaTrade is the stronger choice overall, especially for retail clients who prioritize low costs, local regulation (CySEC), and convenient payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its higher score (4.6/5), lower spreads, and Greek-language support make it a natural fit for the Cypriot market. Forex.com remains a solid alternative for traders who value comprehensive research and a more global trading environment, but it falls short on Cyprus-specific features and cost efficiency. We recommend AvaTrade for most Cyprus traders, but those who trade larger volumes and need raw spreads should test Forex.com's Raw Pricing account. Either way, both are safe choices under CySEC supervision.