Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Vantage vs ActivTrades, 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.
Vantage and ActivTrades are both well-established online brokers, with Vantage having been founded in 2009 and ActivTrades in 2001. Neither company is publicly traded nor operates as a bank. When it comes to regulatory credentials, both Vantage and ActivTrades hold two Tier-1 licenses, marking them as highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. They also each hold a Tier-2 license, which further supports their reliability.
In terms of Trust Score ratings from ForexBrokers.com, Vantage stands out with a score of 90, placing it in the highly trusted category. Meanwhile, ActivTrades holds a score of 81, ranking it as a trusted broker. These scores reflect the companies' compliance with regulatory standards and their history in the financial industry, making them both solid choices for investors seeking reliability and security in online trading.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
When comparing the online brokers Vantage and ActivTrades, there are key differences in their commissions and fees structures. Vantage offers three account types: the Standard STP account, which features spreads of 1.30 pips on EUR/USD (as of March 2023), the commission-based RAW ECN account with average spreads of 0.15 pips plus a $6 round-turn commission, and the PRO ECN account, which has a competitive $4 round-turn commission requiring specific qualifications and a high account balance under various entities. Vantage's active trader program provides rebates, but only for the Standard account, which typically has higher spreads. Vantage earns a 4.5-star rating for its commissions and fees and is ranked 19th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Conversely, ActivTrades offers an Individual Account, a Professional Account with lower margin requirements, and an Islamic Account, each with spreads slightly better than the industry average. However, unlike Vantage, there's no specific provision for high-volume traders or active trader pricing. ActivTrades reports an average spread of 0.98 pips for EUR/USD as of May 2024. The actual spreads might vary across trading sessions, consistent with industry standards. ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked 28th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, both brokers offer competitive pricing options, but Vantage generally provides more tailored solutions for active and high-volume traders with its diverse account types and rebate program. However, ActivTrades offers an appealing alternative for traders seeking straightforward account options without complex commission structures. Each broker holds its respective advantages, catering to different trading strategies and needs.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 Vantage and ActivTrades, both platforms provide opportunities for forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. However, Vantage delivers a wider selection for forex enthusiasts with 61 tradeable pairs compared to ActivTrades' 49. Despite this, ActivTrades takes the lead in the overall tradeable symbols, offering 1267 compared to Vantage's 1000. It's worth noting that neither broker provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges. However, if international equities such as Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange are of interest, ActivTrades stands out as it does offer this option while Vantage does not.
Both Vantage and ActivTrades support copy trading, making them appealing choices for investors looking to emulate the strategies of successful traders. Those interested in cryptocurrency derivatives can also find offerings from both brokers, though neither provides the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Based on the assessment by ForexBrokers.com, Vantage earns a 3.5-star rating and ranks as #50 out of 62 brokers for range of investments, while ActivTrades receives a higher 4-star rating and a #31 rank, indicating a broader selection and potentially more beneficial options for diverse investment strategies.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Vantage and ActivTrades offer a range of features that cater to different types of traders. Each broker provides a proprietary platform alongside widely-used options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, ensuring flexibility and familiar functionality. For those looking to practice or test strategies, both companies provide free virtual demo accounts, making it easy for beginners and advanced traders alike to hone their skills. Web-based and Windows desktop platforms are available from both, allowing traders to engage in financial markets from a variety of devices without compromising on user experience.
In terms of additional features, Vantage offers DupliTrade for those interested in copy trading, while ActivTrades does not. However, neither broker supports ZuluTrade. Both Vantage and ActivTrades present an extensive suite of drawing tools with 15 options each for charting, although Vantage offers fewer columns for watch lists—7 compared to ActivTrades' 11. Both brokers feature capabilities to trade directly from stock charts, making the process intuitive and streamlined. Rated four stars for their trading platforms and tools, Vantage ranks higher at 21st compared to ActivTrades' 30th spot among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Vantage and ActivTrades, both platforms are equally accessible on iPhones and Android devices. They provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, along with the capability to modify watchlists within their apps. Unfortunately, neither app currently supports the syncing of watchlist symbols with the user’s online account. Chart enthusiasts will be pleased to find that both Vantage and ActivTrades offer 30 technical studies, allow users to draw trendlines, and provide multiple time frames to analyze stocks or forex, ranging from daily to intraday views. Additionally, both apps automatically save any drawings made on charts and allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes.
In terms of user ratings and rankings, Vantage and ActivTrades both earn a respectable 4 stars for their mobile trading apps. When ranked among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades takes the lead at #19, while Vantage follows closely behind at #28. Despite their differences in ranking, both apps are solid choices for traders who need dynamic mobile trading capabilities.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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 Vantage and ActivTrades provide comprehensive market research services to their clients, offering essential tools for successful trading. Customers can access daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters with either broker. A glance into technical analysis tools reveals that Vantage users enjoy a richer selection, having access to Autochartist and Trading Central, while ActivTrades does not offer these specific resources. However, both brokerages provide a sentiment-based trading tool that presents the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, along with an economic calendar featuring pivotal global news events. Importantly, neither Vantage nor ActivTrades includes research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading in their offerings.
When comparing the overall research capabilities, Vantage seems to hold a slight edge, reflected by its higher ranking at #21 among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades isn’t far behind, securing the #30 spot. Despite this difference in ranking, both brokers share an equal research rating of 4 out of 5 stars, indicating their solid performance in delivering valuable research options to the trading community. Both platforms are importantly equipped to help traders make informed decisions, but Vantage's additional tools could offer a more versatile research experience.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| 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 resources available to beginners, Vantage and ActivTrades both present strong offerings for those eager to learn about forex and CFDs. Each provides a wealth of educational materials, including more than 10 pieces of content such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on these financial instruments. Additionally, both platforms hold online educational webinars every month and offer extensive archives of these sessions for clients to review at their convenience, enhancing the learning process for new traders.
Furthermore, both Vantage and ActivTrades cater specifically to newcomers by providing at least 10 educational videos aimed at beginners. They also include more advanced materials, ensuring that as traders grow more experienced, their knowledge can expand with at least 10 specialized videos each. While Vantage edges out ActivTrades with an investor dictionary containing definitions for over 50 investing terms, both receive commendable education ratings of 4 out of 5 stars. However, Vantage is slightly ahead in the rankings for the Education category, placed 24th versus ActivTrades' rank of 38th according to ForexBrokers.com. This distinction underscores Vantage's slightly more comprehensive educational offerings.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Vantage is better than ActivTrades. Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Vantage rounds out its MetaTrader platform suite offering with support for multiple social trading platforms, content powered by Trading Central and a proprietary mobile app. However, Vantage trails industry leaders in key areas such as research and education.
| Feature |
Vantage
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 81 |
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Both Vantage and ActivTrades do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing the funding options for online brokers Vantage and ActivTrades, Vantage supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires but not ACH or SEPA transfers, while ActivTrades offers Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, excluding PayPal, ACH, and SEPA 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 | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review | ActivTrades Review |
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| Regulation | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 90 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | 0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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 | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review | ActivTrades Review |
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