Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Vantage, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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FXCM and Vantage are both prominent online brokers, but their regulatory standings and trust ratings showcase some differences. FXCM, established in 1999, holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 95, making it highly trusted by industry standards. It is publicly traded, adding an additional layer of transparency. FXCM holds four Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its strong regulatory position, and an additional two Tier-2 licenses, seen as trusted. Though not a bank, FXCM’s long-standing presence and regulatory credentials enhance its appeal to traders.
Founded in 2009, Vantage distinguishes itself with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 90, placing it within the highly trusted category, albeit slightly lower than FXCM. Not publicly traded, Vantage still maintains strong regulatory oversight with two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. Like FXCM, it does not operate as a bank. Despite its newer market presence compared to FXCM, Vantage's solid licenses and trust score affirm its reliability and suitability for traders seeking a secure online trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Vantage edges out FXCM on ratings while both sit near the industry average overall. Vantage holds 4.5/5 stars and ranks #20 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, versus FXCM’s 4/5 stars and #25 of 63. On headline spreads, FXCM’s Standard account averaged 0.78 pips on EUR/USD in the EU, U.K., and Australia during May 2024 (1.38 pips via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity), which is tighter than Vantage’s typical 1.30 pips for its Standard account (March 2023). For commission-based setups, both brokers land around three-quarters of a pip on EUR/USD: FXCM’s commission-based effective cost is about 0.74 pips, while Vantage’s RAW ECN totals roughly 0.75 pips.
FXCM’s pricing trends slightly higher than the industry average, but its commission-based accounts averaged a low 0.28-pip spread in May 2024 before commissions; once you include the commission-equivalent of about 0.50 pips per round turn, the effective cost is near 0.74 pips. FXCM offers an Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) paying $5–$25 per million traded, with requirements that vary by region. For example, in the U.K., a $25,000 balance and at least $50 million in monthly volume lowers the commission to $2.50 per side ($5 round turn). Keep in mind spreads can widen during rollover or volatile conditions. FXCM rating: 4/5 stars; ranking: #25 of 63.
Vantage’s pricing depends on the account you choose. The Standard STP account lists typical EUR/USD spreads of 1.30 pips (March 2023). The RAW ECN account averaged about 0.15 pips plus a $3 commission per side ($6 round turn), totaling roughly 0.75 pips. The PRO ECN account cuts commissions to $2 per side ($4 round turn) but has eligibility hurdles (e.g., wholesale-client status in Australia or a $10,000 minimum via its Cayman Islands entity). Vantage’s active trader rebates ($2–$8 per lot) apply only to the Standard account, which has the highest spreads. Overall, Vantage is in line with the industry average and slightly ahead in our comparison. Vantage rating: 4.5/5 stars; ranking: #20 of 63.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.32 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.72 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FXCM vs Vantage: For range of investments, Vantage lists more overall markets with about 1,000 tradeable symbols, compared with FXCM’s 440. Vantage also offers more forex pairs (61 vs 46). Both brokers support forex trading either as CFDs or as spot contracts, and both offer cryptocurrency CFDs while not providing access to actual, delivered crypto. If you want direct share ownership, note that neither broker lets you buy exchange-traded stocks on U.S. or international exchanges. Copy trading is available at both FXCM and Vantage.
On ratings, both FXCM and Vantage score 3.5 out of 5 stars for range of investments. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, FXCM places slightly higher at #48 of 63 brokers, while Vantage is #51. That means FXCM edges Vantage in the category ranking, even though Vantage lists more symbols and forex pairs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | 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.
FXCM and Vantage both check the core boxes for platforms and tools: each offers a free demo (paper) account, a proprietary platform, Windows desktop and web-based platforms, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. You’ll also find a selection of built-in technical indicators with both brokers to help with analysis.
The key platform difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Vantage supports MT5, while FXCM does not. In independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com for Trading Platforms and Tools, FXCM earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers, while Vantage earns 4 stars and ranks #21. If MT5 access matters most, Vantage is the pick; if higher-rated platform tools are your priority, FXCM stands out.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing FXCM vs Vantage for mobile trading apps, both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps and support price alerts to help you stay on top of market moves. A key difference is watchlist syncing: FXCM syncs your watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while Vantage does not, which can affect how easily you switch between devices.
For charting, FXCM provides 59 technical studies compared with 30 at Vantage; both let you draw trendlines and automatically save your drawings. In overall quality, FXCM’s mobile app earns 4.5 stars and ranks #16 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage scores 4 stars and ranks #29. If you want deeper indicators and seamless watchlist syncing, FXCM has the edge; if you need core features on iPhone or Android, Vantage is still a capable choice.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both FXCM and Vantage excel in providing daily market commentary and access to forex news from major sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, making them reliable choices for staying informed on market trends. However, Vantage takes a step further in technical and fundamental research by offering tools from Autochartist, which FXCM lacks. On the other hand, FXCM integrates with TipRanks for enhanced market insights, a feature not available with Vantage. Both brokers include tools from Trading Central and have economic calendars to keep traders updated on global news events, but neither offers solutions from Acuity Trading.
When considering overall market research capabilities, FXCM edges out with a research rating of 4.5 stars compared to Vantage's 4 stars, according to ForexBrokers.com. Additionally, FXCM is ranked higher for research, occupying the 11th spot among 63 brokers, whereas Vantage is positioned at 22nd. These distinctions highlight FXCM's slightly superior standing in the realm of market research tools and analysis features.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
FXCM and Vantage both deliver extensive forex and CFD education that easily clears the “10 pieces” bar, spanning articles, videos, and archived webinars. Each broker runs client webinars at least once a month and offers at least 10 beginner-focused videos, plus 10 or more videos for advanced traders. New traders can learn the basics through structured videos and live sessions at either broker, with room to progress into more complex topics.
For overall quality, FXCM has a slight edge: it earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks 14th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage scores 4 stars and ranks 24th. If you want the highest-rated education track, choose FXCM; if you simply need plenty of beginner videos and regular webinars, both FXCM and Vantage will do the job.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | 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 FXCM is better than Vantage. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
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Vantage
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 95 | 90 |
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FXCM vs Vantage: Both brokers do not offer buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but each provides cryptocurrency CFD trading so you can speculate on crypto prices without owning the underlying assets.
Compared with Vantage, FXCM supports ACH/SEPA transfers plus PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire for deposits and withdrawals, while Vantage offers PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire but not ACH/SEPA; 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 | FXCM | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Vantage Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Vantage | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 90 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | 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 | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.32 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.72 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | 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 | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FXCM Review | Vantage Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Vantage Review |
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