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 the commissions and fees of online brokers, CMC Markets stands out as a leader, earning a five-star rating and topping the ForexBrokers.com rankings at #1 out of 62 brokers. CMC Markets is celebrated for its consistently low spread offerings available to all customer segments and account types. The broker boasts average spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, placing it above the industry average. Their active trader program, the Price Plus Scheme, and the FX Active commission-based pricing deliver additional cost-effective solutions for traders, with the FX Active model offering competitive spreads and transparent commissions of $2.50 per side, leading to an all-in cost of 0.5 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD.
In contrast, Vantage, which is ranked #19 and holds a commendable 4.5-star rating in the same category, provides a range of account types that affect trading costs. The Standard account operates on a spread-only basis with typical spreads of 1.30 pips on EUR/USD, while the Raw account offers tighter spreads of 0.15 pips plus a commission of $3 per side. For those eligible under specific conditions, the PRO ECN account with Vantage offers even more competitive pricing with a commission of $2 per side. This account type requires a higher initial deposit or satisfies criteria like wholesale client status, depending on the regulatory jurisdiction.
Both platforms offer active trader programs designed to incentivize larger trading volumes and account balances. CMC Markets' Price Plus Scheme rewards users based on Trading Points, while Vantage’s program provides rebates on the Standard account from $2 to $8 per standard lot, based on account equity and trading volume. While Vantage offers competitive pricing for its high-tier accounts, CMC Markets maintains its edge through a combination of low average spreads and strategic pricing programs, solidifying its position as a preferred choice for cost-conscious traders.
| 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 for their range of investments, CMC Markets clearly stands out with a diverse offering. CMC Markets provides access to 11,925 tradeable symbols compared to Vantage's 1,000 symbols. Forex traders will find CMC Markets appealing with 156 tradeable forex pairs, while Vantage offers 61 pairs. Another notable advantage of CMC Markets is the option to trade exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to invest in companies like Apple and Vodafone directly. Vantage, on the other hand, does not provide this opportunity, focusing solely on contract for difference (CFD) options for forex and other products.
Both platforms offer forex trading as CFDs and support copy trading, allowing investors to emulate successful traders. Although neither broker provides the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, they both offer cryptocurrency derivatives. In terms of recognition, CMC Markets has earned a five-star rating for its range of investments and ranks 9th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Vantage holds a more modest 3.5-star rating and ranks 50th in the same category. CMC Markets, with its extensive offerings and higher ratings, surpasses Vantage in providing a comprehensive range of investment opportunities.
| 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.
CMC Markets and Vantage both provide a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools that cater to a wide range of traders. Both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice and refine their strategies without any financial risk. Each has developed proprietary platforms and supports both Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browser trading. For those interested in social trading, copy trading is available with both brokers; however, only Vantage offers the DupliTrade platform. Unfortunately, neither broker supports ZuluTrade. CMC Markets and Vantage both allow trading directly from stock charts, but CMC Markets offers more charting drawing tools, with 40 compared to Vantage's 15. Additionally, CMC Markets provides more customizable watch list fields and outshines Vantage with 11 columns versus Vantage's 7.
When it comes to platform ratings, CMC Markets is awarded a full five stars for its trading platforms and tools, while Vantage is rated four stars. In the competitive arena of Forex brokers, CMC Markets secures a high rank of 4th in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, significantly better than Vantage, which is ranked 21st out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Both brokers support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, making them versatile choices for traders seeking variety in trading platform options. While both brokers aim to offer rich trading experiences, the edge in platform offerings and higher accolades make CMC Markets a more polished option overall for traders prioritizing advanced tools and functionalities.
| 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 feature-rich mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users. While both platforms offer essential trading capabilities like stock and forex price alerts, chart trendline drawing, and multiple time frame views, there are notable differences between the two. CMC Markets outshines with its watchlist symbol syncing, allowing changes within the mobile app to reflect seamlessly in the online account. On the other hand, Vantage does not offer this feature, which might be a consideration for those who value consistent cross-platform updates. In terms of charting capabilities, Vantage has a slight edge with 30 technical studies compared to CMC Markets’ 29, though both apps auto-save chart drawings for user convenience.
In terms of ratings and rankings, CMC Markets garners a five-star rating for its mobile trading app and is ranked 5th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Vantage, while still commendable with a four-star rating, is ranked 28th, indicating a disparity in user satisfaction and expert reviews. Both apps support creating watchlists with real-time quotes, catering to those who prioritize immediate access to market information. These aspects make CMC Markets a more preferred option for mobile trading enthusiasts looking for comprehensive features and optimal syncing capabilities.
| 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.
When it comes to market research, both CMC Markets and Vantage offer a suite of resources that cater to traders seeking informed decisions. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from premium sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. For those who rely on technical analysis tools, each platform equips its users with Autochartist's offerings. Furthermore, both CMC Markets and Vantage provide sentiment-based trading tools to help investors gauge market positions effectively. Additionally, both brokers offer an economic calendar to track important global economic events.
Despite these similarities, there are distinct differences in the tools and analytics each broker provides. Vantage stands out by offering research tools from Trading Central, whereas CMC Markets does not. This could be a deciding factor for traders who value Trading Central’s expertise. However, this difference in offerings is reflected in their research ratings, with CMC Markets securing a higher score of 5 stars compared to Vantage's 4. As a result, CMC Markets ranks 6th out of 62 brokers for research on ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage holds the 21st position. These rankings might influence a trader's choice, depending on how much weight they place on research tools in their trading decisions.
| 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 resources offered by CMC Markets and Vantage for beginner traders, both brokers provide a range of learning materials designed to help newcomers get started with forex and CFDs. CMC Markets shines with its extensive collection of at least 10 beginner-friendly videos, articles, and archived webinars, accompanied by a comprehensive investor dictionary that explains over 50 key investing terms. While CMC Markets does not offer live monthly webinars, it compensates with a searchable archive of past webinars, allowing learners to access valuable material on-demand. Rated at five stars for education and ranked #10 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets stands out as a robust choice for educational content.
Vantage also ensures beginners have access to essential trading knowledge by providing a variety of educational materials, including over 10 videos tailored for beginners. Unlike CMC Markets, Vantage offers the benefit of monthly live webinars, engaging users with interactive learning experiences. Additionally, Vantage maintains a searchable archive of recorded webinars and an investor dictionary, offering over 50 term definitions. While Vantage's educational offerings are commendable, with a four-star rating and a #24 ranking from ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets holds a slight edge in the breadth and accessibility of its resources for new traders.
| 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 62 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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