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 | 2 |
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 | No |
| 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, the breadth of investment options is a crucial factor for potential traders. CMC Markets offers an extensive array of 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs. This diversity is a significant advantage for traders looking for variety in their investment portfolios. In contrast, Vantage provides around 1,000 tradeable symbols with a more limited selection of 57 forex pairs. Both brokers facilitate forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts and offer copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives. However, neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
For those interested in exchange-traded securities, CMC Markets stands out, enabling customers to purchase shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, like Apple and Vodafone. Vantage, meanwhile, does not offer this option, potentially limiting investment opportunities for some traders. As a result, CMC Markets boasts a five-star rating for its range of investments and ranks 9th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas Vantage has a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 50th. These distinctions underscore CMC Markets' comprehensive offering and appeal for investors seeking a wider array of options.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 57 |
| 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.
Both CMC Markets and Vantage provide a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools, catering to different trading needs. They offer proprietary platforms and compatibility with popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 for seamless trading experiences. Both brokers provide Windows desktop downloads and web-based platforms, alongside simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, making them accessible for beginners seeking to practice in a risk-free environment. However, Vantage distinguishes itself by offering DupliTrade and ZuluTrade for enhanced social trading, while CMC Markets does not.
In terms of technical analysis, CMC Markets shines by offering 40 drawing tools compared to Vantage's 15, and the ability to customize watch lists with 11 columns, whereas Vantage offers 7. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, enhancing user convenience. CMC Markets boasts a higher rating for platforms and tools with 5 stars and is ranked fourth overall among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Vantage, though well-regarded with a 4-star rating, sits at the fifteenth position in the same category. This comparison highlights CMC Markets’ robust offering in trading platforms and tools, providing a slight edge over Vantage.
| 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 | Yes |
| 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.
When considering mobile trading apps, both CMC Markets and Vantage provide comprehensive features for users on iPhone and Android devices. Both platforms support stock and forex price alerts, allowing traders to stay informed about market movements. However, a key difference between the two lies in watchlist symbol syncing; CMC Markets enables this feature, which seamlessly syncs changes between the mobile app and the client’s online account, whereas Vantage does not offer this capability.
For technical analysis enthusiasts, CMC Markets offers 29 technical studies, while Vantage slightly surpasses this with 30 studies available. Both apps allow traders to draw trendlines on charts and view different time frames, from daily to intraday. With autosave functionality for chart drawings and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, both apps cater to detailed market tracking. Despite their similarities, CMC Markets earns a higher user rating of 5 stars compared to Vantage's 4 stars, and ranks higher at #5 versus Vantage's #26 in ForexBrokers.com's evaluation among 62 brokers for mobile trading apps.
| 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 provide comprehensive daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, CMC Markets takes a slight edge with its inclusion of technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which are not available through Vantage. On the other hand, Vantage compensates by offering tools from Trading Central, another well-regarded provider of technical analytics, which CMC Markets lacks. Both brokers equip traders with sentiment-based tools that display the ratio of long or short positions, as well as economic calendars that highlight global news events.
Despite many similarities, CMC Markets pulls ahead with a five-star rating for research compared to Vantage's four stars, according to ForexBrokers.com. This superior rating is reflected in CMC Markets' higher rank of #6 among 62 brokers in the research category, while Vantage is ranked at #24. Although neither broker provides research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, their differing partnerships with Autochartist and Trading Central can influence a trader's choice based on personal preference and specific research needs. Overall, CMC Markets's extensive research tools and higher industry rankings make it a slightly stronger choice for those prioritizing market research.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| 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 available for beginners at CMC Markets and Vantage, both online brokers provide more than 10 educational pieces specifically focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. A notable difference is that while Vantage hosts monthly online educational webinars, CMC Markets does not, although both brokers maintain a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars. Each platform offers at least 10 beginner educational videos to help new traders get started, as well as advanced educational content for those with more experience. Furthermore, both brokers supply an investor dictionary featuring definitions for over 50 investing terms.
Despite the similarities in educational content, CMC Markets has a slight edge in the ratings, securing a 5-star rating for its educational offerings compared to Vantage’s 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, CMC Markets holds the 10th position out of 62 brokers, showcasing its strong emphasis on educational resources, while Vantage comes in at 27th place. For beginners looking for comprehensive educational support, CMC Markets may be the more well-regarded option, though both brokers provide ample resources to support 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 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| 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 | 2 |
| 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 | 57 | |
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 | No | |
| 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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