Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Romania's growing retail trading community is increasingly looking for reliable forex and CFD brokers that accept RON deposits and offer local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. Two popular choices are AvaTrade and Libertex, both regulated in Europe and accessible to Romanian traders. AvaTrade, established in 2006, is a well-regulated broker with a strong reputation for low spreads and a wide range of assets. Libertex, founded in 1997, is known for its user-friendly platform and social trading features. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Romanian traders: local regulation by ASF Romania, deposit and withdrawal options in RON, trading costs, and platform usability. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, understanding the differences between AvaTrade and Libertex will help you choose the right broker for your needs.
| Instrument | AvaTrade | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 | Libertex |
For Romanian traders, trading costs are a key factor. AvaTrade offers competitive spreads starting from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD, which is beneficial for high-volume traders. Libertex has higher spreads, averaging 1.5 pips on major pairs, making it more expensive for frequent trading. AvaTrade also charges no commission on forex trades, while Libertex may apply a small commission on certain instruments. Over a month of active trading, AvaTrade can save Romanian traders up to 30% in costs compared to Libertex, especially when trading larger volumes.
| Account Type | AvaTrade | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | AvaTrade | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
AvaTrade provides the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, plus its own web and mobile platforms, all optimized for Romanian traders. Libertex offers its own proprietary platform, which is simpler and more intuitive for beginners but lacks advanced charting tools. For Romanian traders who need technical analysis and automated trading, AvaTrade's MT4/5 are superior. Libertex is better for those who prefer a clean, easy-to-use interface for manual trading.
| Factor | AvaTrade | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 STP/ECN execution with average speeds under 100ms, ensuring fast order fills for Romanian traders. Libertex uses market maker execution, which can lead to slippage during volatile markets. For scalpers or day traders, AvaTrade's execution is more reliable.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by top European authorities. AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and complies with MiFID II, which means Romanian traders are protected by negative balance protection and segregated accounts. Libertex is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus. Both are recognized by Romania's ASF, ensuring legal operation. AvaTrade's regulation is slightly more strict, offering additional investor protection schemes that benefit Romanian traders.
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5 business days |
Romanian traders can deposit at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. AvaTrade processes deposits instantly for card and e-wallet payments, with no fees. Withdrawals are usually processed within 1-2 business days. Libertex also supports these methods, but withdrawals may take 2-3 business days and some methods incur a small fee. For RON deposits, both brokers convert to EUR at competitive rates, but AvaTrade offers slightly better exchange rates for Romanian traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both AvaTrade and Libertex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Romanian Muslim traders. AvaTrade provides swap-free accounts on all major forex pairs and CFDs without additional charges, making it a good choice for long-term traders. Libertex also offers Islamic accounts but may apply a small administrative fee after 30 days of holding positions. AvaTrade's policy is more favorable for traders who need to hold positions overnight.
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
AvaTrade offers 24/5 customer support in Romanian via live chat, email, and phone. Libertex provides support in English and Romanian but with limited hours. For Romanian traders, AvaTrade's local language support and faster response times are a clear advantage.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Choose AvaTrade if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For most Romanian traders, AvaTrade is the better choice due to its lower spreads, stronger regulation by the Central Bank of Ireland (recognized by ASF Romania), and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. Libertex is a decent alternative for beginners who value simplicity and social trading, but its higher costs and less strict regulation make it less suitable for active traders. If you are a Romanian trader looking for a reliable, cost-effective broker, AvaTrade is the recommended option.