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.
When comparing online brokers, CMC Markets and Vantage stand out with different strengths in terms of reliability and history. Founded in 1989, CMC Markets has established itself as a highly trusted broker, achieving a perfect Trust Score of 99 as rated by ForexBrokers.com. This is bolstered by the fact that CMC Markets holds five Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its strong regulatory standing across major global jurisdictions. Additionally, being publicly traded further enhances its credibility among investors. In contrast, Vantage, founded in 2009, holds a Trust Score of 90, indicating a strong level of trust, though it is not publicly traded. Vantage holds two Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating a solid regulatory foundation, albeit less than CMC Markets.
Neither CMC Markets nor Vantage are banks, but they are both equipped with different layers of trust. CMC Markets holds an additional Tier-2 license, similar to Vantage, signaling a level of trust deemed worthy by investors but less significant compared to their Tier-1 credentials. As both brokers strive to maintain secure trading experiences, these regulatory details reflect the degree of confidence and oversight afforded to users. Whether one prioritizes CMC Markets' long-standing industry presence and impeccable trust rating or Vantage's competent regulatory setup, each offers unique advantages based on these factors.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
When comparing CMC Markets and Vantage on their commissions and fees, CMC Markets stands out as a leading choice. CMC Markets has been recognized with the top spot in the Commissions and Fees category by offering consistently low spreads across all customer segments and account types. The average spread for popular currency pairs, like the EUR/USD, is typically around 0.61 pips. Their FX Active pricing structure, launched in select regions, provides competitive advantages with a commission of $2.50 per side, resulting in a total cost of 0.5 pips for trading the EUR/USD. CMC Markets proudly holds a 5-star rating for its commission and fee structure, making it number one out of 63 brokers in its category.
In comparison, Vantage provides a range of account types with varying pricing models. Their Standard account offers spreads starting from 1.30 pips on the EUR/USD, while the RAW ECN account presents more competitive pricing with average spreads of 0.15 pips, plus a $3 per side commission. This totals about 0.75 pips. Vantage's PRO ECN account offers better pricing for those able to meet specific account criteria, such as a $10,000 minimum deposit under the Cayman Islands entity or qualifying as a wholesale client in Australia. Vantage's active trader program provides additional rebates, although it's limited to the higher-spread Standard account. Vantage is rated 4.5 stars and ranks 19th out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
To summarize, CMC Markets leads with its competitive spread offerings and innovative pricing structures, topping the rankings in its category. Meanwhile, Vantage offers a more varied selection of accounts, with competitive options for more experienced traders who meet specific account requirements. While Vantage provides a strong offering with a 4.5-star rating, it doesn't quite match the pricing leadership demonstrated by CMC Markets, which holds the number one ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.30 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.75 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets and Vantage in terms of investment options, CMC Markets clearly takes the lead with a broader and more diverse selection. CMC Markets offers access to an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs. This broker also allows you to invest in exchange-traded securities from both U.S. and international exchanges. On the other hand, Vantage provides 1,000 tradeable symbols with 61 forex pairs but does not offer the ability to invest in U.S. or international exchange-traded securities. Both platforms provide access to forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract and offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrency. Copy trading is available on both platforms, catering to those interested in mimicking the strategies of successful investors.
In terms of rankings, CMC Markets is positioned significantly higher for its range of investments. With a rating of 5 stars, CMC Markets stands at number 9 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Vantage comes in with a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 50th. This difference underscores CMC Markets' superior offerings in diversity and depth for investors looking for a comprehensive trading platform. Whether you're keen on a wide variety of tradeable symbols or keen to purchase shares in major international markets, CMC Markets offers clearly defined advantages over Vantage in these areas.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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.
Catering to both new and seasoned traders, CMC Markets and Vantage offer a range of trading platforms and tools designed for diverse needs. Both brokers provide simulated trading with free demo accounts, allowing users to practice their strategies risk-free. They also offer proprietary platforms for a tailored trading experience, along with support for popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5. Additionally, both offer Windows-based desktop and web-based browser platforms, ensuring flexibility and accessibility. For those interested in copy trading, both CMC Markets and Vantage enable this feature, enhancing their appeal to users who favor automated trading strategies.
Although both brokers share several similarities, they differ in certain capabilities and resources. CMC Markets shines with its 40 drawing tools for charting and 11 columns available for watch lists, providing detailed analytical options compared to Vantage's 15 drawing tools and 7 columns. Vantage, on the other hand, offers DupliTrade, which is not available through CMC Markets. Overall, CMC Markets ranks higher for trading platforms and tools with a 5-star rating and a #4 spot out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Vantage holds a 4-star rating and ranks #21, making CMC Markets the stronger choice for those prioritizing extensive tools and platform features.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both CMC Markets and Vantage provide comprehensive mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users. Both apps support key features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and viewing multiple time frames on charts. You can also create watchlists with real-time quotes on both platforms, though only CMC Markets syncs these lists with your online account, allowing seamless updates between devices. While Vantage offers one more technical study for charting, with a total of 30, both platforms deliver an extensive range of tools, including the capability to auto-save drawings, catering effectively to traders' needs.
However, when it comes to popularity and ratings, CMC Markets has a slight edge. It boasts a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading app and ranks 5th out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Vantage achieves a 4-star rating and ranks 28th. This difference suggests that while both apps offer strong features for trading, CMC Markets is perceived to deliver a slightly more refined experience according to user reviews and industry rankings. Whether you're following price swings on the go or managing your investments, both options have plenty to offer, with CMC Markets potentially providing a more seamless integration across devices.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and Vantage both cater to traders looking for insightful market research. Each provides daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Moreover, both platforms offer essential tools from Autochartist, along with sentiment-based trading tools. These features help users understand market movements and sentiment ratios, assisting them in making informed trading decisions. Each broker also comes equipped with an economic calendar, keeping traders informed about important upcoming global events.
However, differences emerge in their offerings as well. CMC Markets does not provide tools from Trading Central, while Vantage does, offering additional technical insights. Neither broker provides market research from TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading. When rated for research quality, CMC Markets shines with a 5-star rating and secures the 6th position out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Vantage, while commendable with a 4-star rating, ranks 21st. This distinction makes CMC Markets a stronger contender for traders prioritizing comprehensive research and analysis features.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners between CMC Markets and Vantage, both platforms provide a wealth of resources to kickstart your trading journey. CMC Markets delivers a comprehensive suite of over ten educational articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs, complete with a robust searchable archive of past webinars. They also cater to both novices and seasoned traders with extensive video libraries dedicated to beginner and advanced trading topics. Additionally, CMC Markets offers an investor dictionary featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms, earning them an impressive education rating of 5 stars and a ranking of #10 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Vantage, similarly, offers a wide array of educational content with more than ten articles, videos, and archived webinars centered on forex and CFDs. Distinctively, Vantage provides regular client webinars on a monthly basis, allowing for real-time learning and interaction. Their searchable archive ensures that you can revisit previous sessions at your leisure. Beginners will find a rich selection of over ten videos tailored to help them grasp essential trading topics, paralleled by advanced videos for more experienced traders. Their investor dictionary is equally comprehensive with over 50 terms defined. Vantage holds a solid education rating of 4 stars and is ranked #24 in the education category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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Both CMC Markets and Vantage do not offer the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Comparing CMC Markets and Vantage reveals that both support PayPal and card payments via Visa or Mastercard, while CMC Markets uniquely offers ACH and SEPA transfers, contrasted by Vantage's availability of Skrill for fund transactions, with both brokers also accepting bank wire transfers.
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 | |
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | Vantage Review |
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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 | 5 | 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) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | 0.61 | 1.30 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.75 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| 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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