ADSS is a broker that has operated from Abu Dhabi, UAE since its founding in 2010. It is authorized by the SCA in the UAE to execute trades in the spot FX and CFD markets on stocks, commodities, indices, currencies, and crypto. ADSS has been in operation for almost 15 years, and it is widely known to be the leading broker in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East area.
In 2022, ADSS earned the “Best Forex Broker in the Middle East” award at both the Dubai Forex Expo and Forex Traders Summit, in addition to being named the “Most Trusted Forex Broker” at the Fazzaco Expo held in Dubai.
More resources: The ADSS review from Revieweek contains more information on the broker as a whole and user-generated reviews from traders, which can be helpful in the vetting process.
Account types at ADSS
Before looking at the platforms available, here is a quick run-down of the account types available at ADSS.
The broker offers 4 account types – 1 demo and 3 live.
Demo registration is quick, requiring only name, email, and phone. Demo traders get $50,000 US virtual funds to access ADSS’ full product range on their proprietary platform or MT4. Demos expire after 90 days when traders usually transition to a live account.
Live accounts come in the form of tiers: Classic, Elite, and Pro. Classic accounts are designed for retail traders of all levels of experience and expertise. They start at $100 US minimum deposit with no commission on trades, competitive spreads, and 24/5 support in languages like English, Arabic, Turkish, Hindi, Urdu, and French. Account funding is done in AED or USD only, with currency conversion fees paid for by the trader.
Elite is designed for more active and advanced traders, and it has a $100,000 US minimum deposit. Benefits include 25% lower spreads and a dedicated manager for assistance. Elite clients also access ADSS events, and they can access a multi-base currency account.
The Pro tier serves professional traders and investors and accounts start at $100,000 US. Pro traders can access perks for Classic and Elite traders, plus even lower spreads and commissions supplement an RM+ sales trader’s assistance.
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Platform review: ADSS’s platform and MT4
ADSS offers trading platforms – its own proprietary solution – the ADSS trading platform – and MT4 through its partnership with MetaTrader.
The ADSS trading platform
The ADSS trading platform offers a streamlined interface with a good range of customisation options. Access is available via the web, desktop, or mobile for seamless use anywhere.
Upon logging into the platform, the first thing we noticed was its simplicity. The center of the platform displays a large price chart of the tracked instrument upfront, and the interface was (is) divided into four key sections. Modules appear left and right of the central chart area, which can be hidden or shown depending on trader preferences.
Overall, our first impression was that the layout was minimalist. The balanced four-part setup aims to keep trading executions and analyses available while still facilitating custom workspaces adaptable to individual trader workflows and needs.
In terms of features, we find that the ADSS trading platform is well-equipped without being overwhelming:
- 5 chart types – OHLC, Heikin-Ashi, mountain, candle, and line
- 5 technical indicators – MACD, Moving Average, Moving Average Cross, Volume, and RSI
- 5 drawing tools – trend line, Andrew’s Pitchfork, Gann Fan, Fibonacci retracements, and parallel channel
- 15 timeframes – from 1 minute to 6 months
This is a solid range of tools for beginner to intermediate traders. The left and right modules include Products, Watchlist, Positions, Order, and History panels, all of which can be pulled up upon the trader’s request.
MT4
The MT4 platform provides more functionalities for those who prefer to execute more complex strategies. Those who trade have been trading for a long time would likely have encountered MT4 and have traded using the platform, and there is little to add. As an industry-favourite, MT4 provides a huge range of functionalities from automated trading to copy trading. Nevertheless, there are some features to go through with the ADSS partnership.
Firstly, the platform provides a multi-chart view. This is a good idea for those who wish to track multiple instruments simultaneously, and it can be set up automatically. There is also the option to trade in 39 languages. Compared to the ADSS trading platform, there are lots more features:
- 3 chart types – bar charts, Japanese candlesticks, and line
- 30 technical indicators – classic trend indicators, as well as volume indicators and oscillators
- 23 analytical objects (as they are named on MT4) – Gann Fan, Fibonacci retracements, trend lines, and several channels
- 9 timeframes – from 1 minute to 1 month
There are other added features, that include:
- Trading signals – this is native to MT4, and traders can copy other traders’ activity in real-time
- Automated trading – MT4 users can develop, test, and apply Expert Advisors (EAs) to trades
It is no surprise that MT4 is one of the most feature-rich platforms, and ADSS traders can trade the broker’s entire product offering on it. However, the catch is that it does not have the sleek interface that the ADSS trading platform does. This requires some time and effort to learn and get used to, which is standard of advanced platforms, but it is something for beginner or intermediate traders to consider.
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Our opinion on the platforms available
After trading using a Classic ADSS account for several months, I find that the platform is well-designed for beginners and efficiency-focused traders who prefer to trade with little to no clutter. There are enough tools to spot trends and opportunities, yet not so many that it becomes overwhelming.
As long-time traders, our experience with MT4 aligns with what some other reviews are saying – that perhaps MT4 is a platform more suited to advanced traders. This is due to its availability of sophisticated functions like one-click orders and trailing stops, as well as the multi-chart view that allows traders to keep tabs on different instruments simultaneously.
However, deciding between the platforms can be done throughout the course of trading. We discovered that ADSS also allows switching between platforms if live trading account holders would prefer extra features in time. This flexibility is a good feature, and one that traders who plan to trade over the long term – ourselves included – would appreciate.