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 |
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 | 1.3 | 1.30 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 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 the range of investments offered by CMC Markets and Vantage, CMC Markets stands out with a much broader selection. Offering 12,029 tradable symbols, CMC Markets appeals to investors seeking diverse opportunities across multiple assets, including access to U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, such as shares of Apple and Vodafone. Though both platforms support forex trading as CFDs, CMC Markets also offers a more extensive range of 141 tradable forex pairs, significantly surpassing the 61 pairs available at Vantage. Additionally, both brokers provide the possibility to trade cryptocurrency derivatives rather than the actual asset and offer advanced features like copy trading. However, the absence of delivered cryptocurrency purchasing doesn't seem to affect CMC Markets, which earns a 5-star rating for its investment range, ranking #9 out of 63 brokers.
Vantage provides a competitive option with 1,000 tradable symbols, catering primarily to those focused on forex and CFD trading. While Vantage does not provide direct access to buying U.S. or international exchange-traded securities, it maintains a stable platform for various CFDs, including forex and cryptocurrency derivatives. Rated at 3.5 stars for its investment range, Vantage is positioned at #50 by ForexBrokers.com. For traders interested primarily in forex and CFDs without the need for direct stock market investments, Vantage offers a suitable, albeit narrower selection of trading options compared to the extensive offerings of CMC Markets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 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.
CMC Markets and Vantage both provide traders with an array of tools and platforms to fit various trading preferences, making them suitable choices for both beginners and seasoned traders. Each broker offers a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice their strategies without the financial risk. Both brokers have developed proprietary platforms, and they support popular trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Whether you prefer a Windows-based desktop download or a web-based trading experience, both CMC Markets and Vantage can accommodate your needs. Additionally, both brokers include the ability to trade directly from stock charts and offer features like copy trading for those interested in mirroring successful trades.
Though similar in many respects, there are key differences between CMC Markets and Vantage. CMC Markets adds value with more charting drawing tools, offering 36 compared to Vantage's 15. They also provide more watch list customization, with 11 columns available, while Vantage has seven. Vantage stands out with its integration of DupliTrade, a platform for copy trading that CMC Markets does not offer. When it comes to ratings, CMC Markets earns a 5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, outperforming Vantage's 4-star rating. CMC Markets is ranked 4th in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage is positioned at 21st out of 63 brokers.
| 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) | 73 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 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.
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 | 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 | |
| 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/Central Bank 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. 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 | 1.3 | 1.30 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 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) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 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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