Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Cyprus-based retail traders, choosing between AvaTrade and FXTM is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and regulatory safety. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator (CySEC), ensuring compliance with EU MiFID II standards and providing investor compensation up to €20,000. AvaTrade, with a score of 4.6/5, excels in low spreads and comprehensive educational tools, making it ideal for beginners and scalpers. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a wider range of account types and advanced trading platforms, appealing to experienced traders. Cyprus traders benefit from local support in Greek and English, plus fast deposit options via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. This comparison focuses on key factors like trading costs, regulation, and payment methods to help you select the best broker for your trading style in Cyprus.
| Instrument | AvaTrade | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 | AvaTrade |
When comparing trading costs for Cyprus traders, AvaTrade offers tighter spreads, starting from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD, while FXTM's standard account starts at 1.2 pips. For high-volume traders, this difference can save hundreds of dollars annually. AvaTrade has no commission on standard accounts, whereas FXTM charges $3.50 per lot on its ECN account. Both brokers have no deposit fees for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20, but FXTM applies a small withdrawal fee for bank transfers. Cyprus traders should also consider swap rates; AvaTrade's overnight fees are slightly lower for major pairs.
| Account Type | AvaTrade | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | AvaTrade | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), popular among Cyprus traders for their advanced charting and automated trading. AvaTrade additionally provides its proprietary WebTrader platform, which is user-friendly for beginners and accessible via browser without download. FXTM offers the FXTM Trader app, optimized for mobile trading with one-click execution. For Cyprus traders who value social trading, AvaTrade includes AvaSocial, while FXTM integrates with Myfxbook. Both platforms support local language settings (Greek and English) and are compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
| Factor | AvaTrade | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 |
Both brokers provide fast execution with no requotes on major forex pairs. AvaTrade uses straight-through processing (STP) with an average execution speed of 50ms, ideal for scalping Cyprus traders. FXTM offers ECN execution on its advanced accounts, with speeds under 30ms, but standard accounts may have slightly higher slippage. For Cyprus traders trading high volumes, FXTM's ECN model offers better depth of market, while AvaTrade's STP ensures consistent pricing during volatile sessions.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both AvaTrade and FXTM are authorized and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which is the local financial regulator. This means Cyprus traders enjoy full protection under EU MiFID II, including negative balance protection and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) covering up to €20,000 per client. AvaTrade operates under CIF license number 305/16, while FXTM holds CIF license number 331/17. Both brokers also comply with ESMA leverage limits (1:30 for retail clients) and client fund segregation. For Cyprus traders, this regulatory oversight ensures transparency and security, especially when using local payment methods like Bank Transfer or Skrill.
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
Cyprus traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both AvaTrade and FXTM. Bank transfers are free and take 1-3 business days, while Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant with minimal fees (typically 1-2%). USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes and have zero transaction fees, making them ideal for crypto-savvy traders. Minimum deposits are $100 for AvaTrade and $50 for FXTM. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers take 2-5 business days. FXTM charges a small fee for bank withdrawals over $100, while AvaTrade offers free withdrawals for all methods. Both brokers support EUR and USD accounts, but USD is recommended for Cyprus traders to avoid conversion fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Cyprus Muslim traders, both AvaTrade and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating interest charges on overnight positions. AvaTrade provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including standard and ECN, with no swap fees on forex, indices, and commodities. FXTM offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Cent accounts, but not on ECN accounts. Both require a declaration of faith and are available to residents of Cyprus. AvaTrade's Islamic accounts have a slight edge due to broader asset coverage and no hidden fees, while FXTM's are limited to certain instruments. Cyprus traders can open Islamic accounts via the registration process by selecting the swap-free option.
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
Cyprus traders receive customer support in Greek and English from both brokers. AvaTrade offers 24/5 live chat, phone support (local Cyprus number), and email with average response times under 2 hours. FXTM provides 24/5 support via live chat, WhatsApp, and phone, with a dedicated Cyprus office for in-person queries. AvaTrade's support is slightly more responsive for technical issues, while FXTM excels in account-related queries. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections in Greek.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | 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 FXTM if you...
For Cyprus retail traders, both AvaTrade and FXTM are excellent choices regulated by the local financial regulator (CySEC). AvaTrade (4.6/5) is the better option for cost-conscious traders due to tighter spreads, free withdrawals, and comprehensive Islamic accounts. Its proprietary WebTrader and educational resources make it ideal for beginners. FXTM (4.3/5) suits experienced traders who need ECN execution, lower minimum deposits, and advanced platforms like MT5. Both support local payments (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20) and offer Greek-language support. Ultimately, choose AvaTrade for lower costs and simplicity, or FXTM for flexibility and advanced trading tools. Test both with a demo account to see which aligns with your trading style in Cyprus.