I used the ADSS trading platform as a retail trader relatively new to trading, and this is my review of its features, functionalities, layout, and overall performance. Note that this review contains opinions that are my own and not representative of ADSS, nor do I have any affiliations with any broker.
In this review, I only talk about the ADSS trading platform. If you are looking for a full review with a list of the broker’s product offerings, trading account types, educational resources, customer service quality, and more, you can visit peer publications such as this Forex Academy ADSS review, which I find comprehensive.
Before I begin, I do want to provide information on ADSS as a broker.
Who is ADSS?
ADSS is a GCC-based broker. They offer forex spot trading and CFDs on stocks, indices, forex, cryptocurrencies, and commodities. They are based in the United Arab Emirates, and they are authorised and regulated by the SCA (Securities and Commodities Authority) in the UAE. They offer three tiers of accounts (Classic, Elite, and Elite+), but only the Classic account is available for retail traders, with a minimum deposit requirement of 100USD. Trading is largely commission-free.
Trading platforms offered by ADSS
There are two ways ADSS traders can participate in trading – through the ADSS platform and through MT4. As one of the most famous trading platforms in the industry with millions of users, MT4 needs very little explaining, though I will compare my experiences using both at the end of this review. I was more inclined to try out the ADSS trading platform to see how it performs, in terms of execution speed, interface, customisation options, and overall ability.
The ADSS platform, first of all, is available on both desktop and mobile. I traded mostly on desktop, through which my opinion of the platform and the broker is formed. The desktop interface is easy to download and install, with clear steps indicated on the ADSS platform guide.
The platform has a clean interface, with a dark background. Navigation is easy from my point of view (that of a beginner), and I can see why it is a popular choice among fellow traders with limited experience. The platform is customisable to a point. Trading panels and menus can easily be opened, closed, and hidden from view, and the main chart can be expanded and minimised as needed.
Key features of the ADSS platform
When it comes to the key features of the platform, it is worth laying out simply:
Charting
There are five chart types (candlestick, line, mountain, OHLC, and Heikin-Ashi), five indicators (MACD, Moving Average, MA Cross, Volume, and RSI), and five drawing tools (trend lines, parallel channel, Andrew’s Pitchford, Gann Fan, and the Fibonacci Retracement). There are also fifteen timeframes to choose from, that range from 1 minute to 6 months.
Market orders
Market orders are placed in the order ticket, which is on the right hand side of the desktop platform. You can choose your instrument easily and trade on the spot by placing a market order, a limit order, or a stop-loss order. The ease of use lies in its simplicity. For beginner traders, these three order options are a good starting point.
If you are more advanced or would like to try out slightly more complex market orders, there are also conditional orders such as GTC (Good till Cancelled). Further customisations, such as good until a specific date, can also be created. So, there is a fair bit of customisation and freedom that comes with placing an order on the platform, and it is designed in a way that I have come to find is relatively simple and easy to understand.
Watch lists
Watch lists show up on the left side of the menu, and you can bookmark your favourite trading instruments. From there, whenever you draw up the list, you will find its live prices. This in itself is a straightforward feature.
Orders and History
On the left hand menu, you can also find two more windows that can be pulled up: Orders and History. Orders indicate any orders that you have placed, those that have been executed and those that have not. The History panel shows your history of trades, with information also on your previous actions for easy recall.
Comparing the ADSS platform with MT4
Of course, having used MT4 before earlier in my trading journey, I have thoughts on how the ADSS platform compares with the MT4 platform. At first glance, the layout is very different.
MT4 has more advanced functions, starting from charting features. The default layout on MT4 is four charts on the desktop. MT4 offers 3 chart types (bar, candlestick, line), 9 timeframes (from one minute to one month), 23 analytical objects, and 30 technical indicators, including oscillators and volume indicators. To the relatively untrained technical analyst, it can be overwhelming.
In terms of order types, MT4 offers market orders, limit orders, stop loss orders, and a trailing stop. Trading directly from the chart is possible, and one-click trading is also possible – great for short-term traders, scalpers, and high-frequency traders, but perhaps not the best for beginners.
Watch lists are also available on the MT4 platform, and it is not too different from the ADSS platform.
One of the main differences is that crypto CFD trading is not offered on MT4. For those who wish to trade crypto CFDs, the ADSS platform must be used.
The second difference is the use of trading signals on MT4. Copy trading and automated trading can be staples for advanced traders, and users can develop, test, and apply their own advanced strategies.
In general, MT4 is incredibly feature-rich, and the ADSS platform is grounded in simplicity and efficiency. It will certainly take traders more time to acquaint themselves with MT4, but there can be significant payoff in mastering it if you are committed to levelling up your trading skills.
My opinion on the ADSS trading platform
As a retail trader that is new to the markets, I find the ADSS platform to be a great place to start trading. There are the core features that every trader requires, laid out in a simple and understandable interface. Charting is easily customisable, offering multiple views, timeframes, and there is a set of drawing tools that make it easy to identify entry and exit points.
As mentioned, the ADSS platform is less complex than the MT4 platform. For advanced traders, MT4 may be a better option, but beginner and intermediate traders will find it much easier to navigate the ADSS trading platform, as I have.
Overall, I had a good experience trading with ADSS. They offer a good range of instruments (spot forex and CFDs on stocks, forex, commodities, indices, and crypto), and they have fast execution speeds with minimal slippage. If I had to start over and create an account with ADSS, I would still stick with their proprietary platform just because of its highly functional simplicity.
