AvaTrade vs Gate.Io: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between AvaTrade and Gate.Io This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on September 5, 2025

AvaTrade

Gate.Io

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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AvaTrade is ideal if:

Offers a diverse suite of trading tools—including MetaTrader 4/5, AvaOptions, autocopy/social platforms, and risk-protection features tailored to different strategies.
Supports both manual and automated trading across multiple asset types with robust regulatory coverage for enhanced confidence.
Includes a rich, beginner-friendly education and demo ecosystem—webinars, guides, academy materials, and risk-free practice to develop your skills.

Gate.Io is ideal if:

Perfect for advanced or algorithmic traders, offering powerful tools like trading bots, copy trading, extensive APIs, and access to derivatives across thousands of assets.
Great for altcoin hunters, thanks to one of the broadest selections in the market—over 3,800 cryptocurrencies and nearly 3,000 trading pairs.
Well-suited for passive earners, with diverse opportunities such as staking, crypto lending, auto-invest, and DeFi integration.

AvaTrade isn’t ideal if:

Might not suit traders seeking low-cost entry or maximum transparency, as some terms and fees require account registration to view and account minimums are moderate.
Could be limiting if you prioritize real cryptocurrency ownership or staking, since AvaTrade offers only CFDs rather than holding actual digital assets.
May frustrate users needing advanced order types or ultra-sleek interface, due to occasional technical sluggishness and limited risk-control tools.

Gate.Io isn’t ideal if:

If you prioritize heavy regulatory oversight, Gate.io may fall short as it operates with lighter regulatory frameworks and lacks oversight by major global authorities.
If you're new to crypto and value simplicity, the platform’s advanced interface and multitude of tools can feel overwhelming rather than beginner-friendly.
If you need mobile-first usability, the mobile app may underperform compared to the desktop version, impacting ease of use on the go.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

AvaTrade does not use a maker/taker pricing model for spot trading. Instead, fees are embedded into fixed spreads that apply uniformly, regardless of trade volume or order type.

Gate.io employs a tiered VIP structure (from VIP0 to VIP16) that adjusts maker and taker spot fees based on your trading volume; you can also use the native GT token to reduce fees, and high-volume market makers may even enjoy negative maker fees via special rebate programs.

Futures/Derivatives

AvaTrade offers derivatives primarily via CFDs and options rather than traditional futures. There’s no separate maker/taker structure; funding or overnight costs are included as swap or rollover rates applied per position, varying by asset and holding period.

Futures trading follows its own tiered fee system with options to reduce taker fees via points or VIP rates; funding rates (which fluctuate based on market conditions) apply to perpetuals and are recalculated periodically to balance long and short positions.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

AvaTrade incorporates trading costs into fixed spreads and, while precise cryptocurrency pair spreads like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT aren’t publicly listed, expect competitive layering similar to their forex instruments—though exact values require checking the live instrument specifications.

While Gate.io doesn’t publish fixed spreads, its BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT markets benefit from deep liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads, ensuring competitive execution for high-volume traders.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

AvaTrade supports credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets depending on region, with no direct platform fees for deposits or withdrawals. Processing ranges from instant for cards to one or two business days for withdrawals, with bank transfer timings varying by method and location.

Fiat transfers depend on location and may include bank wires, credit/debit cards via partners like Banxa or Simplex, and P2P, with varying processing times and gateway fees—not detailed here to maintain evergreen relevance.

On-chain Withdrawals

AvaTrade does not support withdrawals of actual cryptocurrencies on-chain. As crypto is traded via CFDs, you cannot request blockchain withdrawal and thus no related network fee structure applies.

Crypto withdrawal fees are dynamic and adjust to blockchain conditions such as congestion; for example, BTC withdrawal fee is dynamically priced and often lower than industry average, while certain networks like TRON adapt under energy-based models.

Hidden Costs

Additional costs may include currency conversion fees (typically around 0.5%) when transactions involve non-base currencies, and inactivity charges—around some amount per quarter after inactivity, escalating to a larger annual administration fee after a year. There are no explicit express-KYC surcharges noted.

Additional expenses may crop up via fiat-to-crypto conversion spreads, optional fees for expedited KYC, or premium services—these vary by region and user actions but are part of your effective cost.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you bought €500 of BTC via AvaTrade, the cost would be embedded in the spread applied at execution. No separate commission is charged, but a conversion fee applies if your account base differs from EUR. Since crypto can’t be withdrawn, there’s no blockchain withdrawal cost—but fully withdrawing fiat proceeds later would follow standard withdrawal rules and method-dependent timing.

You’d face a small spread on the spot pair, a spot taker fee (reducible via VIP or GT), possible conversion costs from EUR to USDT/BTC, and a dynamic blockchain fee when withdrawing—altogether, the total cost blends spread, trading fee, currency conversion, and network withdrawal cost.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

AvaTrade offers approximately 18 cryptocurrency CFDs, covering major assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Solana, Dogecoin, EOS, NEO, and others—though exact top-20-by-volume specifics aren’t detailed on its site, the selection spans the most traded digital assets.

Gate.io supports a vast array of more than 3,600 to near 3,900 cryptocurrencies and over 2,500 to 3,800 trading pairs, covering everything from major coins to niche altcoins—its top 20 pairs by volume regularly include staples like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT.

Product Range

AvaTrade specializes in CFD-based crypto trading with leveraged exposure; it lacks true spot, perpetual, crypto ETFs, staking, or lending—but does include vanilla options (via AvaOptions), copy trading capabilities (AvaSocial, DupliTrade), and automated strategy support through third-party integrations.

The platform offers nearly every major trading and investment option, including spot, margin, perpetual futures, options, copy trading, grid bots, auto DCA, staking/earn programs, loan services, and even ETF-like passive products.

Liquidity

While AvaTrade doesn’t publish direct 24-hour volume or order book depth metrics, being a regulated CFD broker, liquidity is internally managed and generally sufficient for execution across its platforms, though real-time depth and volume transparency is limited.

Gate.io consistently ranks among the global top three for 24-hour spot trading volume, demonstrating deep market depth—liquidity in BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT is robust, ensuring tight order book spreads and ample execution for sizeable trades.

Tools

AvaTrade supports limit, stop, and OCO order types within platforms like MT4/MT5 and WebTrader, includes alert capabilities and advanced charting via MetaTrader environments; while there’s no native TradingView, API access and third-party automation tools (via platforms like DupliTrade and Capitalise.ai) offer programmable trading workflows.

Traders on Gate.io benefit from advanced tools including limit, stop, and OCO orders, trading alerts, rich native charting, comprehensive APIs with WebSocket support, and integrated TradingView charts for sophisticated analysis.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Certain products—like crypto CFDs and options—are unavailable to users in select jurisdictions due to regulatory constraints, such as the U.S. and Canada, where CFD offerings are restricted or prohibited, limiting full product access depending on your location.

Certain sophisticated products like derivatives, futures, or margin trading may be restricted in specific regions due to regulatory constraints, meaning availability will vary depending on your jurisdiction.

Innovation

AvaTrade does not offer launchpad or launchpool features, nor any staking or flexible/locked “earn” programs. Its innovative edge instead lies in blending social copy-trading, options, and multi-platform automation for speculative CFD strategies rather than token incubation or yield services.

Gate.io stays ahead in innovation with features like launchpad/token sales (IEOs), launchpool events, and flexible vs locked “earn” staking products—all part of its ecosystem-driven approach to expanding passive and active income streams.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

AvaTrade operates under multiple legal entities across the globe, with its European arm (Ava Trade EU Ltd) based in Dublin, Ireland, alongside subsidiaries in Australia, Japan, South Africa, the UAE, Israel, and the British Virgin Islands—each covering regional operations and oversight.

Gate.io was founded in April 2013 by Dr. Lin Han and operates under the Gate Group umbrella from multiple jurisdictions, with its main legal base often linked to entities such as Gate Technology Ltd and other affiliates spread across regions.

Licenses/Registration

The broker holds licenses or registrations such as MiFID compliance in the EU, ASIC in Australia, FSA in Japan, FSCA in South Africa, FSRA in ADGM (UAE), ISA in Israel, and FSC in BVI, ensuring they meet regional regulatory requirements for transparent and safe operations.

Gate Group holds a Class 4 VFA license in Malta, registrations as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Lithuania and Italy, plus operational approvals in Hong Kong, the UAE (DMCC and VARA), the Bahamas, and others—ensuring compliance across key markets.

Custody

Client funds are held in segregated accounts separate from company capital, primarily via trusted financial institutions; there’s no public proof-of-reserves audit or explicit cold-reserve percentage disclosed.

Gate.io uses its own custody infrastructure paired with third-party oversight, employs an open-source Merkle-Tree based Proof-of-Reserves system (upgraded with zk-SNARKs), audited by Hacken and standalone firms, offering transparency over asset backing far above 100 %.

Insurance & Protection Funds

There’s no direct mention of an insurance program or protection fund for custody events; client protection instead relies on fund segregation and adherence to local investor protection frameworks where applicable.

Gate.io maintains the Gate SAFU fund—a reserve pool designed to serve as an emergency protection mechanism for user assets—offering a supplementary safety layer in case of extreme incidents.

Incident History

AvaTrade has faced regulatory notices and penalties, such as fines in Israel and Belgium for compliance issues, but no major public hacks or fund losses have been reported; operational continuity has generally remained stable.

While Gate.io has avoided major publicized hacks, it made headlines in 2022 for helping return a mis-sent $416 million in ETH from another exchange—demonstrating a transparent response capability and operational integrity.

Risk Controls

Security measures include two-factor authentication across platforms, negative balance protection, innovative tools like AvaProtect to refund losses on selected trades, although granular API permissions or IP whitelisting are not highlighted.

The platform includes robust security features such as mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA), anti-phishing safeguards, whitelisting of withdrawal addresses, tiered sub-accounts, and finely-granular API permissions for tailored access control.

Transparency

AvaTrade publishes downloadable legal and disclosure documents, including regulatory and risk materials, but does not offer real-time wallet audits, monthly reserve reports, or explicit service-level agreements (SLAs) in public view.

Gate.io stands out for its high transparency—publishing monthly PoR reserve ratios (e.g., total reserves > $10 billion with ~128 % backing), providing public wallet addresses, and committing to service-level expectations through audit-backed disclosures.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

AvaTrade accepts deposits via bank wire, credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and WebMoney depending on location, with a typical minimum of $100 (higher by wire in some regions); card deposits are instant (first one may take a day for verification), e-wallets clear within 24 hours, and wire transfers take around 3–10 business days.

Gate.io supports fiat deposits via bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and third-party providers like Simplex, Banxa, and Mercuryo, though availability, limits, and processing times depend on your region.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Users can start with a demo account needing no ID, but to deposit and trade with real funds full KYC—including ID and proof of address—is required; there’s effectively no tiered limit structure, as full verification is mandatory for funding and withdrawals.

Gate.io requires KYC, using a tiered risk-based approach (from basic identity to advanced address verification) that determines your access and daily withdrawal limits—higher levels offer greater flexibility and limits.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals must follow the method used for deposit (first repay deposit via same method), with no set minimum; card and e-wallet withdrawals take 24–48 hours post-approval, while wire transfers can take up to 10 business days; crypto network options like TRC20/ERC20 aren’t offered since crypto isn’t withdrawable on-chain.

Withdrawal limits rise substantially with verification level (e.g., from USD 100k equivalent up to millions per day), and available networks such as TRC20, ERC20, BEP20 depend on the asset—processing times and fees vary.

Customer Support

AvaTrade provides support via live chat, email, and a robust online help center; while not always explicitly labeled, withdrawal and deposit FAQs indicate responses typically come within hours to a business day, backed by extensive documentation and guides.

Gate.io provides 24/7 support through live chat and email, boasting fast response times, along with a comprehensive help center full of guides and FAQs.

Languages & Localization

The platform and support are localized for multiple languages—including native Spanish users—with account interfaces showing balances in €, and region-specific legal entities ensuring compliance with local regulators and jurisdictional requirements.

The platform is highly globalized, offering full support in over a dozen languages, and displays pricing and interface elements in common currencies like USD and EUR, accommodating diverse user bases.

App Quality & Stability

AvaTradeGo (mobile app) is designed for stability and regular platform updates, delivering a smooth trading experience with few reported crashes; while precise crash-rate figures aren’t published, user feedback and update logs reflect consistent performance improvements.

The Gate.io mobile app offers full trading functionality and real-time data, though user feedback notes occasional sluggishness or UI lag—especially under heavy load or rapid market moves.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

AvaTrade provides a smooth onboarding experience—its WebTrader offers a clean, intuitive interface that’s ideal for beginners, while API-integrated platforms like MT4/MT5 and AvaFutures cater to more experienced users seeking richer functionality.

Gate.io offers both “Lite” and “Pro” trading modes—Lite is streamlined and user-friendly for beginners, while Pro packs charts, order types, and data panels for experienced traders, giving users an adjustable interface that aligns with their skill level.

Performance

Trading execution is generally fast thanks to robust global infrastructure, though during extreme volatility some slippage or requotes may occur; KYC processing remains steady, with no notable delays even during high demand periods.

Order execution is generally swift, though during extreme market swings there can be minor delays or slowed UI responsiveness; KYC review waits can also stretch in bull phases when new registrations surge, causing temporary bottlenecks.

Education

Ava Academy offers tiered educational material spanning video lessons, webinars, and articles for all skill levels, accompanied by an unlimited-time demo account—many educational resources are fully available in Spanish.

Gate’s learning platform features interactive tutorials, live articles, and a practicing simulator for options—though most materials are in English, they’ve recently added some Spanish-language content and step-by-step guides to ease onboarding.

Community

While AvaTrade supports social trading through platforms like AvaSocial and DupliTrade, it does not maintain official public forums or Discord/Telegram channels for general community engagement; referral incentives exist, though details vary by region.

Gate.io supports an active user ecosystem with a Community Center, official blog updates, and social channels (including Discord/Telegram), plus a rewarding referral program that encourages peer sharing and learning.

Integrations

AvaTrade does not offer native TradingView integration, but it connects with external automation tools (e.g., DupliTrade, Capitalise.ai); there’s no explicit support for tax/portfolio tracking or accounting integrations within the platform.

Gate integrates natively with TradingView for advanced charting, supports external trading bots, and connects to tax/reporting tools like Blockpit—helping users with strategy automation and financial recordkeeping.

Who Each One Is Best For

AvaTrade suits beginners and mid-level traders who value educational depth, regulated environments, and flexible platform options; it’s less ideal for algo specialists seeking ultra-low latency connectivity or traders who demand built-in community forums or tax management features.

Gate.io is a strong fit for tech-savvy traders who value depth, flexibility, and ecosystem integration; it’s well-suited to those looking to level up from simple platforms but may feel dense for casual or beginner users who prefer straightforward, minimal interfaces.