Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Vantage, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
CMC Markets, founded in 1989, and Vantage, established in 2009, are both prominent online brokers known for their financial services. A defining feature of CMC Markets is its status as a publicly traded company, while Vantage remains privately held. Neither of the brokers functions as a bank. Assessing their regulatory standing, CMC Markets holds an impressive six Tier-1 licenses alongside one Tier-2 license, contributing to its highest Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, signaling high trust. In contrast, Vantage maintains two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, earning a commendable Trust Score of 90, indicating it's also a trusted entity.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
CMC Markets vs Vantage: commissions and fees come down to how you trade and which account you use. CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #1 of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees, while Vantage scores 4.5 stars and ranks #20 of 63. In practice, CMC Markets generally delivers lower all‑in costs across more client types, whereas Vantage can be competitive if you qualify for its PRO ECN account.
CMC Markets’ typical EUR/USD spread is 0.61 pips (Aug 2023), and its FX Active plan charges $2.50 per side with minimum spreads from 0.0, giving an all‑in cost of about 0.5 pips on EUR/USD (and several other pairs). On NZD/USD, for example, the standard spread of 1.5 pips drops to about 0.5 pips with FX Active after commissions. High‑volume traders can also use the Price Plus Scheme to earn Trading Points and unlock spread discounts—Tier 4 offers 20% off spreads after 1,250 standard lots in a month. CMC’s average spreads tend to track close to its minimums, helping explain its top ranking.
Vantage prices vary by account and entity. The Standard STP account lists typical EUR/USD spreads of 1.30 pips (Mar 2023). The RAW ECN account averages 0.15 pips plus a $3 commission per side ($6 round turn), for about 0.75 pips all‑in. The PRO ECN account is the best‑priced at $2 per side ($4 round turn), but eligibility rules apply (such as wholesale status in Australia or a $10,000 minimum under the Cayman Islands entity). Vantage also offers rebates of $2–$8 per lot to active traders, though only on the higher‑spread Standard account. Overall, Vantage sits near the industry average, while CMC Markets more consistently delivers lower all‑in costs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.30 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.75 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets vs Vantage: for sheer choice, CMC Markets offers far more to trade, with about 12,029 tradeable symbols versus roughly 1,000 at Vantage. Currency traders also get wider coverage at CMC Markets with 141 forex pairs compared with 61 at Vantage. Both brokers offer forex trading (CFDs or spot), plus copy trading and crypto CFDs; neither supports buying actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
If you want real share dealing, CMC Markets lets you buy exchange-traded stocks on U.S. and international exchanges, while Vantage does not offer exchange-traded securities. These gaps are reflected in third-party scores: ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets 5/5 and ranks it 9th out of 63 for Range of Investments, while Vantage earns 3.5/5 and ranks 51st.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
CMC Markets and Vantage both check the key boxes for trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo account for paper trading, a proprietary (in-house) platform, Windows desktop and web-based platforms, and popular third‑party options like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Copy trading is available at both brokers, and you can place trades directly from charts, which makes moving from analysis to execution quick and simple.
Where they differ most is recognition for platform quality. CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Vantage holds 4 stars and ranks #21, according to ForexBrokers.com. If top-tier platform polish and tool depth are your priority, CMC Markets has the edge. If you’re focused on MetaTrader access, copy trading, and a straightforward setup, Vantage remains a strong alternative.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and Vantage both offer full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, drawing trendlines on charts, and automatically saving your drawings. For charting tools, Vantage lists 30 technical studies while CMC Markets offers 29—so Vantage has a slight edge on indicator count. However, CMC Markets stands out with watchlist syncing between mobile and web, letting you manage symbols in one place and see the same list across devices; Vantage does not sync watchlists.
In independent reviews, CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage earns 4 stars and ranks #29. If you value seamless watchlists and top-tier ratings, CMC Markets is the stronger pick; if you want one more built-in study, Vantage has that covered.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both CMC Markets and Vantage deliver daily market commentary, ensuring that traders stay informed about the latest market movements. They also provide access to forex news from elite sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. The integration of Autochartist tools by both brokers allows users to conduct technical and fundamental research effortlessly. However, while Vantage supports additional insights through Trading Central, CMC Markets does not offer this feature, which may be a consideration for traders seeking more diverse analytical tools.
In terms of sentiment analysis, both platforms excel by offering tools that reveal the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments. They each provide an economic calendar to track significant global news events, aiding strategic planning for traders. Despite these similarities, CMC Markets slightly outshines Vantage with a 5-star research rating, compared to Vantage's 4 stars. This is reflected in their respective rankings, where CMC Markets is placed 6th and Vantage 22nd out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that while both provide comprehensive market research options, CMC Markets has a slight edge in this category.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing CMC Markets vs Vantage for beginner education: CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage holds 4 stars and ranks #24. Both brokers provide at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, giving new traders clear, step-by-step lessons as they grow. Their on-demand libraries cover trading basics, strategy ideas, and platform how-tos, so you can learn at your own pace.
When it comes to live training, Vantage offers monthly client webinars, which can help if you like real-time guidance and Q&A. CMC Markets does not host monthly webinars, but its video library and structured content make self-study easy. If you want the highest-rated education catalog, CMC Markets is the stronger pick; if live webinars matter more, Vantage edges ahead. Either way, beginners get plenty of helpful resources for forex and CFD learning.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than Vantage. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
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Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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CMC Markets vs Vantage: both online brokers offer cryptocurrency CFDs for trading, but neither allows you to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency.
Comparing online brokers CMC Markets vs Vantage: both support PayPal and bank wire deposits/withdrawals; CMC Markets also offers ACH/SEPA while Vantage does not; Vantage supports Skrill while CMC Markets does not; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Vantage Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.30 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.75 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Vantage Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Vantage Review |
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