ADSS Review 2025

Trust

ADSS Regulations

In our reviews, we examine the licenses and regulations of each entity operated by a broker, allowing us to compare their different levels of protection. We rank licenses by various regulatory bodies on a three-tier system, where Tier-1 licensing indicates the highest level of regulation.

This is what I discovered about the single entity operating under the ADSS trade name:

• ADS Securities LLC is licensed and regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) under license number 305027. We rate the SCA as a Tier-2 regulator.

Understanding the Regulatory Protections of Your Account

Brokers operate multiple entities globally, but regulatory protections vary. Some regulators enforce stricter financial standards than others, so traders should understand the safety measures of the entity they choose to open an account with.

Here is what you need to be looking for in a broker in terms of safety mechanisms:

• Segregation of client funds: Keeping client funds in segregated bank accounts from the ones used for the broker’s corporate capital negates the risk of accounting errors. Client funds are kept in segregated accounts with ADSS and away from the company’s corporate capital.
• Negative balance protection: This safety mechanism removes the risk of trading losses exceeding the account balance for retail clients. In other words, the losses you incur from trading are capped at the amount you have put in your trading account. The broker does not guarantee negative balance protection.
• Compensation scheme: A compensation scheme protects traders against the broker’s liabilities if the company becomes insolvent. ADSS does not participate in a compensation scheme.
• Maximum leverage: Capping the maximum leverage restricts the extent of market exposure to retail traders. The higher the leverage, the higher the potential profits and potential losses. The maximum retail leverage with ADSS is 1:500.

Stability and Transparency

In our Trust category assessments, we evaluate factors tied to stability and transparency, including the broker’s longevity, company size, and information transparency.

ADSS has been operational for nearly 15 years and has over 500 associated employees on its LinkdIn page – both indicating its high stability. I also went over its legal documents and found that everything was in order – information is readily available and easy to discern.

I appreciated ADSS’ tight client categorization policy and ‘best execution policy’, which is a legal mandate to provide its clients with optimal price quotes under the prevailing market conditions.

Last but not least, I appreciated that the ADSS web trader displays the current spread for each asset between the bid and ask prices. Unlike other platforms like MT4, this feature helps the user make informed trading decisions in an instant.

Is ADSS Safe to Trade With?

I determined that ADSS is sufficiently safe due to the following factors:

• Regulated by the SCA
• Keeps client funds in segregated accounts
• Operates on a ‘best execution’ basis
• Has a robust client categorization policy

Fees

ADSS Trading Fees

ADSS Spreads

I tested ADSS’ spreads on 6 March 2025 during the London and New York opens. The results are shown in the table below:

I assessed that ADSS charges low spread on crude oil, low-to-average spreads on indices, average-to-high spreads on currency pairs and share CFDs spreads, and high gold spreads.

ADSS Swaps

A swap fee is a trader’s cost for holding an open position overnight because of changing interest rates. Swap long refers to the charge deductible or credit receivable for holding a buy position open overnight. In turn, swap short relates to the charges/credits deductible or receivable for holding a selling position open overnight.

The values listed below are for one full base currency contract (100,000 units).

According to my findings, ADSS’ swaps range from average to high compared to the industry benchmark. Overnight charges fluctuate over time.

ADSS Non-Trading Fees

ADSS does not impose a handling fee on deposits, while the $5 fee applies to all withdrawal methods regardless of quantity. Third-party processing fees may also apply.

The broker does not charge dormant accounts with an inactivity fee.

Are ADSS’ Fees Competitive?

My testing showed that ADSS spreads vary significantly across markets, ranging from low to above the industry average. However, the broker stands out with some of the lowest crude oil spreads in the industry, making it a strong option for commodity traders. Another plus is that ADSS doesn’t charge any non-trading fees, aside from a $5 withdrawal fee.

Platforms and Tools

ADSS Web Trader

I tested ADSS’s flagship WebTrader platform and found its streamlined instrument search to be a standout feature, making it easy to navigate the broker’s extensive range of tradable assets.

The platform also offers strong risk management tools, allowing traders to set fixed or trailing stop losses. These can be adjusted by points, amount, or percentage, giving traders more control over their risk exposure.

ADSS platform is available on Windows and Mac and supports 52 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, and more.

Some of the platform’s most prominent features include:

• Market Research: ADSS integrates market insights directly into its trading platform, enabling traders to analyze market trends and make informed decisions without needing to switch between multiple sources.
• Watchlist Customization: Traders can populate watchlists with their favorite instruments and track market changes more easily.
• One-click Trading: This feature enables instant market entries at the spot price and is invaluable for high-precision traders, such as scalpers.
• Trading from the Chart: Traders can place conventional trading orders directly from the chart, specifying the entry price, volume level, stop and take-profit levels, and more.

Charts

Price action is easily scalable, even though the charts screen cannot be expanded on the entire screen. This flaw makes it harder to discern price action behavior and spot viable entry and exit levels.

I have broken down the available analytical tools and chart configurations below:

• 120 technical indicators: This includes trend-based and volume-based indicators and oscillators to analyze price action and assess market sentiment, helping predict market movements.
• 37 drawing tools: Tools like Fibonacci retracement levels and Elliott waves help identify price patterns, support/resistance levels, and breakout points.
• 15 timeframes: For multi-timeframe analysis, enabling detailed price action analysis.
• 14 chart types: Price action can be displayed as line, bars, or candlesticks, offering diverse perspectives on trading opportunities.

The chart screen is undeniably one of the most crucial features of a trading platform. It equips traders with essential tools and configurations to analyze price action and spot trading opportunities. Just as important is the ability to easily scale price action, allowing for a clearer and more detailed view of market movements.

Orders

ADSS’s web trader features three types of order execution: market, pending, and one-click trading, allowing immediate entries at the spot price.

I have broken down the available order types on the platform below:

• Market Orders: Used for immediate entry at the best available price. They guarantee volume filling, though the entry price may differ from the requested price.
• Limit Orders: Guarantee exact price entries but won’t be filled if the price doesn’t reach the trigger level.
• Stop Orders: They are used to support open positions by limiting the maximum loss that can be incurred if the market turns in the opposite direction. A stop-loss order is placed at a fixed price below or above the spot price. If the market does indeed turn and triggers the stop-loss, it will transform into a market order and get filled at the best possible price.

ADSS Web Trader: My Key Takeaways

I found the ADSS platform to be well-balanced, offering fast and straightforward order execution. It’s also packed with advanced market insights, helping traders stay informed and make informed trading decisions.

The WebTrader platform shines with its 170+ analytical tools and customizable chart configurations, giving traders a solid foundation for market analysis. However, a key drawback is that the chart window cannot be expanded, which makes it less ideal for in-depth technical analysis.

ADSS Mobile App

The ADSS app features a clean layout and intuitive navigation, making it easy to place new orders or manage existing ones on the go—perfect for mobile trading. I also found the app to be surprisingly versatile, offering:

• 15 timeframes
• 11 technical indicators
• 7 drawing tools
• 5 chart types

The app also supports 4 order types: market, limit, stop, and contingent. I appreciated that the app is fully integrated with ADSS’ market research.

ADSS App: My Key Takeaways

The ADSS app stands out for its convenience, making it an essential tool for adjusting trades, especially during periods of heightened volatility. It has a pleasant outlook and is also a great asset when it comes to exploiting different trading opportunities. Last but not least, the app’s market insights help traders stay on top of the latest market developments.

ADSS MT4 Mobile

The MT4 mobile app is available on iOS and Android, enabling quick and easy access to the market on the go. It is very useful for opening, terminating, and adjusting open positions.

You can also use the app to place market, limit, and stop orders, as well as to adjust the exposure of your open trades.

Watchlist of selected instruments (1), chart window (2), order placing window (3)

ADSS Execution Model

ADSS operates as a market maker whereby the broker serves as principal (counterparty) to client orders. ADSS fills client orders (creates liquidity) by selling against buyers and buying against sellers.

Tradable Instruments

Compared to the industry average, ADSS offers a high number of commodities, share CFDs, and indices, an average number of currency pairs, and a low number of cryptocurrencies.

What Are CFDs?

Contracts for difference (CFDs) are derivatives that speculate on the underlying asset’s price without physical ownership.

For example, a long position on gold would generate profit as the price rises or incur a loss as it falls, all without the need to purchase actual gold bars.

One of the biggest advantages of trading CFDs is that traders can get in and out of the market almost instantaneously, thereby catching even minute changes in the price of the derivative.

What Can You Trade With ADSS?

ADSS Instruments: My Key Takeaways

With 1,050+ tradable instruments across multiple markets, ADSS offers a broad and diverse selection, catering to a wide range of trading strategies—including hedging, day trading, swing trading, and position trading. While the variety is impressive, adding vanilla options contracts would further enhance its offering and provide traders with even more flexibility.

Customer Support

Customer Support Channels

Customer Support Test

When we test a broker’s customer support, we evaluate the agent’s knowledge of their own website, how long it takes them to respond to questions, and how detailed their answers are.

I contacted ADSS’ support on 6 March at around 14:16 CET via WhatsApp. An agent responded within several minutes. I asked about the broker’s margin policy and non-trading fees and got prompt and straight-to-the-point answers. There wasn’t a question that the agent couldn’t answer.

Deposit and Withdrawal

ADSS Deposits

ADSS Withdrawals

Account Types and Terms

ADSS Account Opening Process

To set up an account with ADSS, follow these easy steps:

1. Click ‘Open Account’ at the top-right corner of the main page.
2. Enter your name, country of residence, country code, and DOB.
3. Provide your mobile number and email address.
4. Choose a password and trading platform.
5. Provide the rest of your residential and tax info.
6. Complete your trader profile.
7. Expound upon your trading experience.
8. Provide your employment and financial information.
9. Acknowledge the broker’s risk warning.
10. Upload proof of ID and proof of address to verify your account.
11. Agree to ADSS’ terms and conditions.

ADSS Account Types

With a $100 deposit, zero commissions, and floating spreads from 1.4 pips, ADSS’ Standard account offers pretty typical conditions for retail traders. The account also features a 50% stop-out, giving traders some protection against adverse market volatility. However, ADSS does not provide negative balance protection.

Demo Accounts

ADSS offers a demo account that introduces traders to the broker’s services and allows them to tweak their strategies in a risk-free environment. The market is continually evolving and never static, so it is important to hone your skills in a safe environment. You can set up a demo account for yourself before or alongside your live CFD account.

Professional Account

To open a professional account with ADSS, a trader must meet at least 2 out of the 3 criteria listed below:

1. The client has carried out transactions, in significant size, on the relevant market at an average frequency of 10 per quarter over the previous 4 quarters.
2. The size of the client’s financial instrument portfolio, including cash deposits AND financial instruments, exceeds EUR 500,000.
3. The client has worked or is currently working in the financial sector for at least one year in a professional position that requires knowledge of the transactions or services being considered.

Swap-Free Accounts

ADSS offers accounts for swap-free trading under Shariah law. All types of available accounts can be converted to Islamic accounts. For further assistance, please contact the broker.

What is CFD Leverage?

Leverage determines a trader’s overall market exposure. When trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), positions can be opened for a fraction of their value because of leverage. Essentially, the broker lends the trader money so that they can open bigger positions. Leverage multiplies the profits a trader generates from winning positions but also the losses incurred from failed trades.

Maximum Leverage By Asset Class

In the table below, I have listed the maximum retail leverage available with ADSS for instruments from different asset classes:

ADSS Restricted Countries

ADSS does not accept as clients residents of certain jurisdictions, such as Afghanistan, American Samoa, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, China, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Korea, North Mariana Islands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

Research

Research Tools

I have broken ADSS’ research content by type below:

• Economic Calendar: A staple of market research, the calendar informs traders of upcoming economic and financial releases that could create viable trading opportunities.
• ADSS Analysis: ADSS delivers detailed in-house market analyses, offering insights into the latest market movements and breaking down the reasons behind price action through fundamental analysis.
• Dow Jones News: The news screener powered by Dow Jones helps ADSS’ clients stay on top of the latest market developments and changes in market dynamics.
• Market Insights: ADSS incorporates the Trading Central package, which is available to fully verified live accounts. The package includes featured trading ideas, technical breakdowns, and the Market Buzz sentiment gauge.

ADSS Research: My Key Takeaways

ADSS provides comprehensive market research, keeping traders informed about emerging trading setups and the factors driving market movements. The analysis incorporates both fundamental and technical perspectives, making it insightful yet easy to digest. However, one notable gap is the lack of video breakdowns, which could enhance the learning experience for visual learners.

Education

ADSS offers a wide selection of educational videos and articles, allowing traders to choose the format that best suits their learning style. Most importantly, the content covers all key aspects of trading—technical and fundamental analysis, risk management, and trading psychology—providing a well-rounded foundation for traders at any level.

One standout feature of ADSS’s educational library is its clear and structured layout, making it easy for traders to quickly find and access the topics that interest them most.

The Bottom Line

ADSS is a financial institution based in the UAE, operating since 2011 under the regulation of the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). The broker complies with strict safety standards and offers 1,050+ tradable instruments across multiple markets, giving traders a broad range of opportunities.

When it comes to trading costs, ADSS offers a mix of low to high fees, but one standout feature is its crude oil spread—one of the lowest in the industry.

On the trading platform side, ADSS delivers a versatile experience with its flagship WebTrader, which is packed with integrated market research for a seamless trading process. It also supports the widely used MetaTrader 4, catering to traders who prefer a more familiar setup.

A few drawbacks include the lack of copy trading, no VPS hosting, and USD being the only available base currency.

I rated ADSS as a great choice for both casual and experienced traders, especially those focused on commodity trading.

FAQ