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 | 2 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Vantage and ActivTrades, both companies offer distinct account options with varying costs. Vantage provides three account types: the Standard STP with spread-only costs, and commission-based RAW ECN and PRO ECN accounts. Their Standard account typically has wider spreads, like 1.30 pips on EUR/USD, but the RAW account offers average spreads of 0.15 pips plus a $6 round turn commission. Vantage’s PRO account is their most cost-effective option for qualifying clients, with a commission of just $4 per round turn. Despite its competitive offerings, Vantage is not on par with top pricing competitors like Saxo, IG, and CMC Markets. Ranked #18 by ForexBrokers.com, Vantage holds a 4.5-star rating for its commissions and fees.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, primarily features its Individual Account alongside options for Professional and Islamic Accounts. Unlike Vantage, ActivTrades doesn't offer specialized accounts for high-volume traders or rebates for active traders. Their spreads slightly outperform the industry average, with EUR/USD averaging 0.98 pips. However, spreads can fluctuate during trading sessions, especially during the rollover period. Notably, commission and fees depend heavily on the type of assets traded, and asset availability can vary with the chosen platform. ActivTrades is ranked #27 in commissions and fees and holds a 4-star rating in this category.
In summary, both Vantage and ActivTrades present worthwhile options with their own set of benefits and limitations. Vantage excels with its PRO account for clients who meet specific requirements, while ActivTrades keeps a steady performance with competitive spreads and varied account types. Each broker caters to different trading needs, making them viable choices depending on a trader's specific preferences and strategies.
| 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 | No | 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 Vantage and ActivTrades based on their available range of investments, both offer Forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, but there are some differences in their offerings. Vantage provides access to 1,000 tradeable symbols, including 57 Forex pairs, standing out for those specifically interested in Forex. In contrast, ActivTrades gives users access to a broader selection of 1,267 tradeable symbols, although with 49 Forex pairs, they offer fewer Forex options. Neither broker allows clients to buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, yet ActivTrades distinguishes itself by permitting trades with international securities like Vodafone shares, a feature not offered by Vantage. Both platforms support copy trading and allow the purchase of cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither provides actual cryptocurrencies.
In terms of ratings, ActivTrades receives a higher score of four stars for its range of investments, compared to Vantage's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, ActivTrades is positioned at #31 out of 62 brokers, reflecting its more extensive range of investment opportunities, while Vantage ranks at #50. This ranking highlights ActivTrades as a better choice for investors seeking a broader spectrum of tradable assets, although both platforms cater to users looking for diverse yet distinct trading experiences.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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 comparing Vantage and ActivTrades for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer a comprehensive experience for traders. Both Vantage and ActivTrades provide free virtual demo accounts, proprietary platforms, desktop downloads for Windows, web-based trading platforms, and copy trading options. They support popular trading applications MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5; however, only Vantage extends its offerings with DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, giving users extra options for portfolio diversification.
Charting capabilities are well supported by both brokers with 15 drawing tools each. Traders can execute trades directly from stock charts with either platform. Vantage and ActivTrades are rated equally with four stars for their trading platforms and tools, showing a commendable level of quality. Despite both receiving a similar star rating, Vantage is ranked higher at #15 by ForexBrokers.com, compared to ActivTrades at #29. When it comes to watch lists, ActivTrades offers an advantage by providing 11 columns for fields, while Vantage offers seven.
| 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 | Yes | 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.
Both Vantage and ActivTrades offer comprehensive mobile apps for trading on iPhone and Android devices. These platforms provide essential features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and access to multiple time frames such as daily, weekly, or intraday. Additionally, both apps include 30 technical studies to assist traders in analyzing market trends. Although neither app allows for watchlist symbol syncing with online accounts, they do enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Furthermore, any drawings made on charts are automatically saved, ensuring a seamless experience.
While Vantage and ActivTrades both receive a solid four-star rating for their mobile trading apps, they differ slightly in rankings. According to ForexBrokers.com, Vantage is ranked 26th out of 62 brokers, while ActivTrades holds a higher position at 19th. This ranking difference may influence those seeking the most highly recommended mobile trading platform, but both apps deliver essential features and tools for efficient trading on the go.
| 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.
Vantage and ActivTrades both provide robust market research options for their users, including daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources. They also offer sentiment-based trading tools that show long or short positions across currency pairs. Both brokers ensure traders are well-informed with comprehensive economic calendars that highlight significant global news events. However, Vantage stands out by offering tools from Trading Central for technical analysis, which ActivTrades does not provide. Neither broker features tools from Autochartist or TipRanks, nor do they use resources from Acuity Trading.
Both Vantage and ActivTrades have received a respectable 4-star rating for their research offerings. However, when ranked among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Vantage is placed slightly higher at #24, while ActivTrades is ranked at #30. This difference could be attributed to Vantage's inclusion of Trading Central tools, setting a slightly higher standard in market research capabilities compared to ActivTrades. Ultimately, both brokers demonstrate a commitment to providing quality research, though Vantage might offer a slight edge in technical analysis tools.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginner traders, both Vantage and ActivTrades offer a variety of materials. Each platform provides a minimum of 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars with a focus on forex and CFDs. For those who prefer live interaction, both brokers conduct monthly online webinars and have archives of past recordings to help users catch up at their own pace. Additionally, each broker offers at least 10 video tutorials specifically designed for beginners to better understand the trading environment. Advanced traders will also find over 10 video resources available on each platform to help deepen their trading knowledge.
However, there are distinct differences between the two brokers that are worth highlighting. Vantage offers a comprehensive investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investment terms, making it a great tool for those new to trading jargon. Unfortunately, ActivTrades does not offer this resource. While both brokers share a 4-star rating in educational offerings, Vantage takes a slight edge in ranking with a position of 27th in education out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to ActivTrades' ranking at 38th. These subtle differences might be a deciding factor for beginners looking for the right educational support.
| 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
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 90 | 81 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 90 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Vantage | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| 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 | 2 | 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) | 57 | 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 | No | 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 | Yes | 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 | No | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 90 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review | ActivTrades Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill