ADSS Review 2024

Trust

This section covers how ADSS is regulated and how this impacts you as a trader. We rate regulators on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 reflecting the highest level of trust.

Why is it important to know where your broker is regulated?

Different regulators provide different levels of protection For example, top-tier regulators usually require that funds are segregated and that clients have negative balance protection, which means they cannot lose more than their deposit. Some regulators also ensure that clients are protected by a compensation scheme to cover losses in the event of a broker becoming insolvent.

The table below lists the protections and benefits provided by ADSS.

Regulatory requirements are subject to change. I gathered the data listed above in October 2023.

Is ADSS Safe to Trade With?

ADSS has the benefits of its authorization by the UAE SCA, along with its company’s size and experience. The company ensures the segregation of client funds but does not provide negative balance protection or a compensation scheme.

Stability and Transparency

In our tests for the Trust category, we also cover factors relating to stability and financial strength. Here, we focus on how long the broker has been in business, the company’s size, and its transparency.

ADSS was founded in 2010, marking it as a relatively experienced forex and CFD broker. The company is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, and states on its LinkedIn page that it has 201-500 employees.

In my research, ADSS showed high transparency in its regulatory status, listing its regulator in the footer of each page of the adss.com website. The website breaks down fees clearly on the Useful Market Information page. The About page provides in-depth coverage of the company background and management team – another positive signal. Traders can find the Terms of Business on the Legal and Regulatory information page.

To summarize, my research shows that ADSS has several positive qualities in terms of trust:

• Regulated by UAE SCA
• 13 years of operating history
• High level of transparency

However, the broker does not offer negative balance protection, so potential customers should do their due diligence.

Fees

Trading Fees

ADSS Spreads

I tested the spreads on the ADSS Classic Account during the London open at 8:00 a.m. UK time and after the open of the New York forex session at 1:00 p.m. UK time. At these times, the market is typically highly liquid with the tightest spreads.

Spreads at ADSS were mixed. For some instruments, like EUR/USD and the DAX 40, the spreads were average. Others, such as Bitcoin, gold, and shares of Apple were competitive – helping give traders an edge in these markets. I recorded the data on 18 October 2023.

Commissions

ADSS does not charge commissions for any instruments, including CFDs on shares.

Swap Fees

Swap fees (the cost of holding a position overnight) were average at ADSS.

In the table below, you can see the Swap Long (the cost/credit of holding a buy position overnight) and the Swap Short (the cost/credit of maintaining a sell position overnight) for one full-sized contract. A full-sized contract is 100,000 units of the base currency (the first currency quoted in the pair). I recorded the data on 18 October 2023.

The figures for GBP/JPY are high due to the current large interest rate differential between the British Pound (5.25%) and Japanese Yen (-0.10%).

Non-Trading Fees

There are very few fees unrelated to trading. Unlike most CFD brokers, ADSS does not charge an inactivity fee. There is a modest $5 fee for all withdrawals, regardless of the method.

Are Fees at ADSS Competitive?

I concluded that the fees at ADSS are relatively competitive, in light of the following:

• Tight spreads in some instruments
• Lower spreads available via Elite and Elite+ accounts
• Average swap fees
• No inactivity fee, low withdrawal fees

Platforms and Tools

ADSS Platform

The ADSS platform has a clean and uncluttered interface that makes it easy for beginners to get started in the world of forex and CFD trading. The platform is customizable up to a point as panels can be opened and closed and the menu to the left can be hidden. It is available via web and Android and iOS devices.

Charts can be enlarged and have a range of basic features, making a great starting point for new traders without being overwhelmed by an excess of choices.

Key charting features:

• 5 chart types (candle, line, mountain, Heikin-Ashi, OHLC)
• 5 indicators (MACD, RSI, Moving Average, Moving Average Cross, Volume)
• 5 drawing tools (Trend line, parallel channel, Andrew’s Pitchfork, Gann Fan, Fib Retracements)
• 15 time frames (from 1 minute to 6 months)

The order ticket offers standard order types that can cater to the needs of most casual traders. These include:

• Market orders
• Limit orders
• Stop-loss orders

Time-in-force conditions, including GTC (good till canceled) or good to a specific date, can be applied.

Watchlists can be pulled up from the menu on the left side and make it easy for traders to stay on top of their favorite trading instruments.

Beneath the chart and order ticket is the open positions panel that enables traders to view the profits and losses of their open trades in real time.

My Key Takeaways After Testing the ADSS Platform

After testing the ADSS platform for a couple of weeks I judged that it is well-designed and provides the core features necessary to trade.

Compared with the proprietary platforms of some market leaders, the range of functionality is light. The ADSS platform lacks many important features for advanced traders, such as the ability to tile charts, 1-click trading, and trailing-stop orders. But as a quick and convenient interface for placing orders and an easy starting point for beginners, I think this platform works great.

MetaTrader 4 Desktop

ADSS offers MetaTrader 4 for desktops, which includes advanced functions such as copy trading and automated trading.

MetaTrader 4 is available in 39 languages, from Arabic to Vietnamese. The platform provides popular features:

• Alerts. This feature updates traders when an instrument reaches a specific price level.
• Watchlists. Traders can create a list of their favorite instruments and follow live quotes in a market watch panel.
• One-Click Trading. This feature allows traders to execute orders with a single click and no secondary confirmation. This feature enables traders to operate faster and is especially useful for short-term traders.
• Trading from the Chart. MT4 also allows users the convenience of trading directly from the chart.

MetaTrader also delivers when it comes to the range of available order types. The platform offers the following order types:

• Market Order. Traders use market orders to buy or sell an instrument at the best current price.
• Limit Order. Traders use limit orders to buy or sell an instrument at a specified price or better.
• Stop Loss Order. Traders use stop-loss orders to buy or sell an instrument when its price reaches a specified level.
• Trailing Stop Order. Traders use trailing stop-loss orders as a stop-loss order at a defined percentage or dollar amount away from an instrument’s current market price. This order type allows traders to secure profits when they are in a winning trade while not having to exit the position.

Charting features are robust. MetaTrader 4 offers:

• 30 Technical Indicators. These include classic trend indicators, volume indicators, and oscillators.
• 23 Analytical Objects. These include lines, channels, Gann, and Fibonacci tools.
• 9 Time Frames. Traders can choose from nine time frames, from one minute to one month.
• 3 Chart Types. Traders can use Bar Charts, Japanese Candlestick Charts, and Line Charts.

MetaTrader is also popular due to its copy trading and automated trading features.

• Trading Signals. Signals in MetaTrader 4 allow users to copy other traders’ activity in real time.
• Automated Trading. MetaTrader 4 allows users to develop, test, and apply Expert Advisors (EAs). EAs are programs that monitor and trade markets using algorithms.

The MetaTrader 4 desktop platform is one of the most feature-rich and popular trading platforms. It does not have a slick interface and requires some time and effort to learn, but that is typical of advanced platforms.

MetaTrader 4 Web

The MetaTrader Web Platform (Web Trader) is a slightly stripped-down version of the desktop platform. It allows you to trade without any additional software, only an internet connection is required. The Web Platform allows users to trade directly from any browser and operating system.

Popular features include

• One-click trading
• Trading from the chart
• Watchlists with real-time quotes
• Trade History
• Advanced charting with 30 indicators for technical analysis

Copy trading and automated trading are also only available on the MT4 desktop platform.

MetaTrader 4 Mobile App

ADSS offers the MetaTrader 4 mobile app for mobile trading, which is available for Android and iOS. The app offers popular features such as alerts, 1-click trading, and trading from the chart.

The MetaTrader 4 mobile app also provides many order types, including pending and stop orders. However, trailing stop-loss orders are only available from the desktop. To change the language of the MT4 app, you must change the language for your entire phone. As with the desktop and web platforms, the interface is not highly intuitive, but the MT4 app offers an above-average range of features.

My Key Takeaways after Testing MetaTrader 4

The look and feel of MetaTrader 4 are a bit dated. I feel there is room for improvement in design and usability. But as one of the most popular trading platforms in the world and the only one offered by many forex brokers, I have spent a lot of time testing it.

MT4 is actually very well-rounded and can do more than most competitors – with advanced charting, a complete range of order types, and popular features like 1-click trading, trading from the chart, and alerts. The advanced features of the desktop platform set it apart in that it enables traders to run and backtest automated strategies. The steep learning curve of mastering the platform makes it more suited to experienced traders than beginners.

ADSS Order Execution Model

ADSS is the sole execution venue for client orders. Orders are executed via a bilateral transaction with ADSS as the counterparty. CFD prices are proprietary prices that are derived from the prevailing real-time market prices of the relevant underlying financial instruments.

Tradable Instruments

CFDs (Contracts for Differences) are financial derivative products that allow traders to speculate in various markets without owning the underlying assets. Tradable instruments at ADSS include the following:

• 60 Currency Pairs. A currency pair combines two different currencies, with the value of one currency quoted against the other. For example, EUR/USD, which reflects the value of the euro measured in dollars.
• 14 Commodities. Commodities are raw products, such as gold and oil.
• 600+ Global Stock CFDs. ADSS offers trading in stock CFDs from exchanges ranging from the NASDAQ to the London Stock Exchange. A stock is a security that represents partial ownership of a corporation.
• 23 Indices. Available instruments range from Japanese to UK stock indices. An index is a basket of trading instruments that are used to gauge a market sector, stocks within an exchange, or the economy of a country.
• 5 Bond CFDs. CFDs on fixed-income assets include the US T-Bond and the German Bund.
• 10 Cryptocurrency CFDs. Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, are digital currencies that are secured by cryptography.

In the tables below, you can see a selection highlighting the variety of instruments available at ADSS:

My assessment indicated that ADSS is particularly strong in the areas of commodities, shares, and indices.

My Key Takeaways After Exploring ADSS Tradable Instruments

I was impressed by the range of tradable instruments at ADSS and noted the availability of cryptocurrencies and CFDs on futures, which are less commonly available.

Customer Support

ADSS Customer Support Test

During my customer support tets, I made dozens of inquiries to ADSS over two weeks asking a wide range of questions – from fees to platform-related issues. In some cases, I was able to get an answer relatively fast via live chat. In other instances, it took over 5 minutes to reach an operator. Via email and phone, the support was also spotty, with some emails going unanswered and some weak responses when I tried to resolve an issue with a call.

On a positive note, Elite and Elite + account holders have access to a dedicated account manager, and support is available in several languages.

Deposits & Withdrawals

In the tables below we break down the fees and processing times for each deposit and withdrawal method.

Deposits

Processing times for bank wire and digital wallet are fast compared with other CFD brokers. Free deposits are standard for the industry.

Withdrawals

Processing times for withdrawals are fast compared with other CFD brokers. The $5 withdrawal fee is fair in relation to the industry average. Often brokers charge more for withdrawals via bank wire.

Account Types and Terms

Account Application

To open an account with ADSS, prospective clients must answer the following questions.

• Basic Information: Name, email, phone, date of birth, country of residence.
• Address and Residency: Nationality, address, and identification documents.
• Financial Information: Employment status, annual income, savings & investments, source of funds, initial funding amount.
• Experience: Volume of prior trades in exchange-traded derivatives and OTC derivatives

Why is Choosing the Right Account Type Important?

ADSS clients can access major benefits such as lower spreads and a dedicated account manager with Elite and Elite+ accounts, but these require much larger initial deposits.

Account Type Comparison

Demo Accounts

Clients can access demo accounts for the ADSS platform and MetaTrader 4. Demo accounts are especially important for beginners as they allow them to practice their strategies and get comfortable with the trading platform without risking real money.

The demo account features live quotes and simulates live market conditions in assets such as forex and CFDs on commodities, indices, and stocks. Once users are up to speed on a demo account, they can easily switch to a live version.

Islamic Accounts

ADSS offers a swap-free Islamic account that adheres to the principles of Sharia law.

Leverage

One of the reasons that traders are attracted to the forex and CFD markets is the high degree of available leverage. Leverage is the use of borrowed funds to increase the size of your trading positions beyond what would be possible using only the cash in your account.

The maximum leverage at ADSS 1:500. This means that with an account of $1,000, you can control up to $500,000 worth of positions in the market. That is not for every instrument though – different assets have different levels of available leverage. You can see a breakdown here:

Leverage is often described as a ‘double-edged sword’ as it can hurt you as much as it helps you. Traders must remember that it can amplify both their profits and their losses.

Supported Countries

ADSS takes clients from the majority of countries globally. However, clients are not accepted from 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, Islamic Republic Of Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, United Kingdom.

Research

ADSS market research articles highlight which instruments are in play for the day, and major economic releases to watch. Major technical levels also form part of the analysis. The reports are easy to read and useful for coming up with trading ideas.

The Week Ahead Preview article helps orient traders for the upcoming week by covering key macroeconomic data. ADSS typically publishes two in-depth articles a day in the analysis section of the website.

Traders can also stay on top of the upcoming releases using the economic calendar on the website. The calendar shows the previous readings, analyst forecasts, and actual figures for each release. Events can be filtered by the level of impact, making it easy to identify times when the market may experience high volatility.

Industry-leading news provider Dow Jones can also be accessed via the website, with a steady stream of stories throughout the day covering a wide range of topics.

My Takeaways from Exploring ADSS Research Content

ADSS has a well-rounded research offering. Clients can draw from the unique ideas of its team of analysts and stay on top of breaking news with first-class coverage from Dow Jones.

Education

Useful guides include The Beginner’s Guide to Charts in Trading which covers different chart types and popular chart patterns and how to trade them. Advanced topics delve into specific strategies, for example, Top 3 Scalping Strategies for Intraday Traders. I liked the inclusion of actionable trading strategies and their rules.

Traders can also learn how to launch into the world of automated trading with topics like A Guide to Expert Advisors – The Dos and The Don’ts. I also found plenty of content on important areas like risk management and trading psychology.

The 10-part video course is a great place for beginners to start. These bite-sized videos guide viewers through the basics of trading like trading terminology all the way to getting started with a simple strategy.

Getting up to speed with a trading platform can be a headache, especially for new traders. ADSS has tutorials that guide traders in using the ADSS platform and MetaTrader 4 and making the most of their features.

The Bottom Line

ADSS has created a unique and attractive offering for forex and CFD traders since launching in 2010. The broker has a range of special benefits for local and regional traders, including Arabic language support, access to Middle Eastern shares, and the ultra-fast UAEPGS wire transfer payment gateway.

Although limited in features, I rate the ADSS platform as a winner for its excellent usability and design. MetaTrader 4 is available with the advanced features that the proprietary platform lacks. Classic Account fees range from average to competitive, while lower spreads and further benefits are available via the Elite and Elite+ account types. Tradable instruments are an area of strength, with a broad range of instruments available including CFDs on futures, crypto, and bonds.

I found room for improvement in customer service. However, a client-centric approach is evident in the care that ADSS has put into its research and educational materials. In both of these areas, traders have a strong pool of resources to draw from.

FAQ