AvaTrade vs Seacrest Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers AvaTrade and Seacrest Markets. Find out which broker is best for you.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - AvaTrade or Seacrest Markets?
Our pick: AvaTrade
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - AvaTrade looks preferable to Seacrest Markets.
AvaTrade scored 4.7/5 and ranks 1 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Seacrest Markets has 4.1/5 and ranks 51.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is AvaTrade suitable for?
AvaTrade is suitable for traders who value various instruments, copy trading services, and a user-friendly mobile version of trading platforms.
Who is Seacrest Markets suitable for?
Suitable for retail and active Forex and CFD traders who value high leverage and straightforward trading conditions.
Comparison Table of AvaTrade and Seacrest Markets
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2006 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | Ireland, British Virgin Islands, Australia, South Africa, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Canada | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.6 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | AvaTrade Review | Seacrest Markets Review |
AvaTrade Review
AvaTrade is ideal for traders looking for various trading tools and a high level of investment protection. Beginners will be comfortable with the intuitive interface of the AvaTradeGO mobile platform, while experienced traders will appreciate the depth of MetaTrader's customization and analytical tools. However, traders who need access to STP or ECN accounts should pay attention to other brokerage companies.
Pros and Cons of AvaTrade
Pros
- A wide selection of financial assets.
- Innovative trading platforms.
- Highly rated educational resources.
Cons
- Limited trading account options.
- Account inactivity fee.
AvaTrade is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Seacrest Markets Review
Seacrest Markets is a CFD broker with moderate regulation (FSCA), a transparent fee structure, and an accessible entry threshold starting from $50. Trading is conducted via MetaTrader 5, covering major asset classes, with leverage available up to 1:500. The conditions are tailored to retail traders who value clear costs and a straightforward onboarding process.
The broker is best suited for:
retail traders working with Forex and major CFDs;
active traders seeking high leverage;
traders who appreciate 24/7 support and an easy account opening process.
It may be less suitable for investors looking for Tier-1 regulation, an extensive range of stocks and ETFs, or advanced institutional research.
Pros and Cons of Seacrest Markets
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license and formal regulation of brokerage activity.
- Low minimum deposit — from $50.
- 24/7 support and a strong community.
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation and no compensation funds.
- Limited number of trading instruments compared to large brokers.
- No web-based platform and no alternative to MetaTrader 5.
Reliability
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2006 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | Ireland, British Virgin Islands, Australia, South Africa, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Canada | South Africa |
| Regulators |
AvaTrade
AvaTrade is regulated in various countries by several leading financial regulators, providing high reliability.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets’ reliability can be described as moderate: the broker is regulated by the FSCA (Tier-2) but does not hold Tier-1 licenses or participate in compensation schemes, which reduces the level of protection compared to major international brokers.
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license
- Transparent registration information
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation
Account Opening
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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AvaTrade
The broker offers clients from different countries a straightforward, convenient, and quick account opening process.
Seacrest Markets
Opening an account with Seacrest Markets is fast and without unnecessary bureaucracy: online registration, verification within a day, and clear requirements make the process convenient for most traders.
Pros
- Simple online registration
- Verification within 24 hours
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- Mandatory extended KYC questionnaire
Account Types
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.6 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
AvaTrade
AvaTrade has a decent trading account, but the absence of some critical options may not satisfy all trader needs.
Pros
- A free demo account is available.
- An Islamic account option is provided.
- The ability to copy trades.
Cons
- Lack of market execution of orders.
- No cent accounts.
- No fixed spread accounts.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets offers classic trading accounts with a clear fee structure. The lineup suits different trading styles, though the overall variety and depth of account options remain moderate.
Pros
- Availability of Classic and ECN accounts
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts
Commissions
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.6 points | from 0.1 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.9 | 1.2 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$3.50 |
AvaTrade
AvaTrade offers relatively low commissions with its competitive spreads and no charges for deposits/withdrawals.
Pros
- Low spreads.
- No deposit/withdrawal fees.
Cons
- Inactivity fee.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' fees are around the market average: spreads and swaps are comparable to competitors, and the ECN commission remains competitive. The cost structure is transparent and without notable hidden charges.
Pros
- Market-average spreads
- No withdrawal fee except for bank transfers
Cons
- There is an account inactivity fee
- Swaps can be significant for long-term trading
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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AvaTrade
AvaTrade provides flexible and accessible methods for depositing and withdrawing funds, though processing times can be extended.
Pros
- Multiple methods for deposit and withdrawal.
- No commission on deposits and withdrawals.
- AvaTrade covers up to $100 of the bank transfer fee.
Cons
- Long processing time for bank transfers.
Seacrest Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Seacrest Markets are organized in a standard and convenient way: cards, bank transfer, and cryptocurrencies are available. The procedures are transparent, but the range of methods remains basic.
Pros
- Support for Visa/Mastercard
- Crypto transfers available
- Clear procedure via the client portal
Cons
- Limited selection of local payment systems
- Fee for withdrawals via bank transfer
Markets and Products
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Forex | 53 | 50 |
| Precious Metals | 7 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 5 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 7 | 2 |
| Indices | 46 | 6 |
| Stocks | 614 | - |
| ETF | 61 | - |
| Bonds | 2 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 20 | 4 |
AvaTrade
AvaTrade offers various financial instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs, stocks, ETFs, bonds, cryptocurrencies, etc.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' market offering covers key asset classes and suits most retail strategies, but it falls behind large multi-asset brokers in breadth of instruments.
Pros
- Key asset classes (Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies)
- High leverage up to 1:500
Cons
- Limited overall number of instruments
- No stocks or ETFs
Trading Platforms
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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AvaTrade
AvaTrade provides various trading platforms: MetaTrader 4 and 5, WebTrader, and AvaTradeGO, giving traders flexibility in choosing the right tool for their trading strategies.
Seacrest Markets
MetaTrader 5 provides full functionality for analysis and trading, but platform choice is limited to a single terminal and there is no web version, which reduces access flexibility.
Pros
- Support for algorithmic trading
- iOS and Android mobile apps
Cons
- No web version
- No alternative platforms
Analytics
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
AvaTrade
The broker provides good market analysis tools.
Pros
- Collaboration with Trading Central.
- Economic calendar.
- Trader's calculator.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' analytics cover key needs of retail traders: video reviews, articles, and built-in analysis tools. The content is practical, but it is geared mainly toward beginner and intermediate levels.
Pros
- Regular video analysis
- Economic calendar and market widgets
- TradingView integration
Education
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
AvaTrade
AvaTrade offers quality video tutorials and articles for traders of all levels.
Pros
- Quality materials.
- Educational resources available on the AvaTrade site.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' educational materials cover basic CFD and Forex topics and are suitable for beginners, but the education section is limited to a blog format without an extended learning program.
Pros
- Structured blog
Cons
- No comprehensive courses
- No webinars or podcasts
Customer Support
| Broker | AvaTrade | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
| — |
| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
Whatsapp
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Telegram
Discord
TikTokAvaTrade
The broker's technical support offers various channels of communication and 24/7 availability.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' support operates 24/7 and provides quick contact via live chat. A strong community enhances client service, but the set of communication channels remains standard.
Pros
- 24/7 support
- Live chat on the website
- Active community (Discord and social media)
Cons
- No extensive phone support
- No personal managers
- Limited selection of communication channels
Comparisons of AvaTrade and Seacrest Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
AvaTrade stands out as the better overall pick, while Seacrest Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
AvaTrade scored 4.7/5 and ranks 1 in our rating; Seacrest Markets has 4.1/5 and ranks 51.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: AvaTrade or Seacrest Markets?
AvaTrade comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 1) versus Seacrest Markets (score 4.1/5, position 51).
Which broker is better for beginners: AvaTrade or Seacrest Markets?
AvaTrade is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — AvaTrade or Seacrest Markets?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with AvaTrade and Seacrest Markets?
AvaTrade: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader, AvaTradeGO. Seacrest Markets: MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with AvaTrade and Seacrest Markets?
AvaTrade: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Seacrest Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by AvaTrade and Seacrest Markets?
AvaTrade: CFD. Seacrest Markets: Classic, ECN. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by AvaTrade and Seacrest Markets?
AvaTrade: Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, Google Pay, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, JCB. Seacrest Markets: Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — AvaTrade or Seacrest Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
