Vantage Review 2025

Trust

Vantage Regulations

In our reviews, we examine the licenses and regulations of each entity operated by a broker, allowing us to compare their different levels of protection. We rank licenses by various regulatory bodies on a three-tier system, where Tier-1 licensing indicates the highest level of regulation.

This is what I discovered about the several entities operating under the Vantage trade name:

• Vantage Global Limited is licensed and regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) under license number 700271. We rank the VFSC as a Tier-3 regulator. The entity is also a member of The Financial Commission.
• Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under license number 428901. We rate ASIC as a Tier-1 regulator.
• Vantage Global Prime LLP is licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the UK under license number 590299. We rate the FCA as a Tier-1 regulator.
• Vantage Markets (Pty) Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA) under license number 51268. We rate the FSCA as a Tier-2 regulator.
• Vantage International Group Limited is licensed and regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) under license number 1383491. We rate CIMA as a Tier-3 regulator.

Understanding the Regulatory Protections of Your Account

Brokers operate multiple entities globally, but regulatory protections vary. Some regulators enforce stricter financial standards than others, so traders should understand the safety measures of the entity they choose to open an account with.

Here is what you need to be looking for in a broker in terms of safety mechanisms:

• Segregation of client funds: Keeping client funds in segregated bank accounts from the ones used for the broker’s corporate capital negates the risk of accounting errors. Client funds are kept in segregated accounts from the company’s bank accounts across all Vantage entities.
• Negative balance protection: This safety mechanism removes the risk of trading losses exceeding the account balance for retail clients. In other words, the losses you incur from trading are capped at the amount you have put in your trading account. The broker guarantees negative balance protection on all its entities except Vantage International Group Limited.
• Compensation scheme: A compensation scheme protects traders against the broker’s liabilities if the company becomes insolvent. Vantage has obtained Lloyd’s insurance for up to $1,000,000. The clients of Vantage Global Limited are protected by up to EUR 20,000 under The Financial Commission, while clients of Vantage Global Prime Ltd are protected by up to GBP 85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
• Maximum leverage: Capping the maximum leverage restricts the extent of market exposure to retail traders. The higher the leverage, the higher the potential profits and potential losses. The maximum retail leverage with Vantage is 1:1000.

Stability and Transparency

In our Trust category assessments, we evaluate factors tied to stability and transparency, including the broker’s longevity, company size, and information transparency.

During my research, I found that Vantage employs nearly 1,000 people across its group of entities, reflecting the scale and stability of its operations. Its 15+ years of operational history further attest to the success of its business model.

I also reviewed Vantage’s legal documents and was pleased to find that all essential information is readily accessible and clearly written in easy-to-understand language. My only minor concern is the lack of detailed information about its cryptocurrency offering on the website.

Is Vantage Safe to Trade With?

I determined that Vantage can be considered a very safe broker to trade with due to the following factors:

• Authorized by four regulators, including two Tier-1
• Adheres to all essential safety requirements
• Is a member of The Financial Commission
• Has issued a civil liabilities insurance

Fees

Vantage Trading Fees

Vantage Spreads

I tested Vantage’s spreads on 21 February 2025 during the London and New York opens. The results are shown in the table below:

My research indicates that broken down by asset class and compared to the industry average, Vantage charges low spreads on cryptocurrencies, share CFDs, and indices, low-to-average spreads on commodities, and average spreads on currency pairs. The broker stands out with its remarkably low US30 and DAX40 spreads.

Vantage Swaps

A swap fee is a trader’s cost for holding an open position overnight because of changing interest rates. Swap long refers to the charge deductible or credit receivable for holding a buy position open overnight. In turn, swap short relates to the charges/credits deductible or receivable for holding a selling position open overnight.

The values listed below are for one full base currency contract (100,000 units).

I assessed that Vantage’s overnight fees align with the industry benchmark. This makes the broker suitable for longer-term trading. However, swap rates change over time.

Vantage Non-Trading Fees

Vantage does not charge an inactivity fee for dormant accounts. The broker does not impose a handling fee on deposits or withdrawals, except for withdrawals via international bank transfer, which are liable for a $20 fee.

Accounts Comparison

I have compiled the table below to help you better understand the difference between the trading fees with Vantage’s three account types and the industry average. It illustrates the spreads and commissions I have recorded for the EUR/USD pair and compares them against the typical costs for ECN and STP accounts in the industry at large.

The table demonstrates how much you would have to pay to trade 1 full lot (100,000 units) in EUR/USD with a pip value of $10 for each account.

To calculate the cost of such a full-sized trade, I used this formula: Spread x pip value+commission

Based on my findings, Vantage’s Standard account, which features zero commissions and floating FX spreads, aligns with the typical STP account structure. For instruments in other asset classes, Vantage generally offers spreads that are better than the industry average.

The Vantage Raw and Pro accounts offer even more favorable conditions, beating the typical ECN account.

Are Vantage’s Fees Competitive?

I found Vantage’s fees to be highly competitive. Its spreads consistently outperform the industry average, except for FX pairs on the Standard account, which remain in line with industry norms.

The broker offers commission-free trading and average swaps, making it an attractive choice for cost-conscious traders. Additionally, Vantage has no non-trading fees, apart from a $20 withdrawal fee for international bank transfers.

Platforms and Tools

Vantage MT5 Desktop

I tested the desktop version of the MetaTrader 5 platform, which offers several essential tools, including one-click trading, an alarm setting option, and a market depth tool. These features enable traders to analyze market developments from multiple perspectives and capitalize on trading opportunities in various ways.

In my opinion, MT5 is best suited for automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). The platform also has an intuitive strategy tester, allowing experienced algo traders to tweak the parameters of their strategies so that they can be used under different market conditions.

General Ease of Use

Vantage’s MT5 platform is available on Windows and Mac and supports 52 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, and more.

In addition to the above-mentioned depth of markets tool, MT5 also features:

• Alerts-Setting Option: Traders can set alerts for when the price of a given instrument falls/rises to a predetermined level, which could potentially signal a viable entry opportunity.
• Watchlist Customization: Traders can populate watchlists with their favorite instruments and track market changes more easily.
• One-click Trading: This feature enables instant market entries at the spot price and is invaluable for high-precision traders, such as scalpers.
• Trading from the Chart: Traders can place conventional trading orders directly from the chart, specifying the entry price, volume level, stop and take-profit levels, and more.

Charts

As shown above, a common issue with MetaTrader is that charts can quickly become cluttered, even with just two indicators. This can obscure price action examination and make it harder to perform detailed technical analysis.

I have broken down the available analytical tools and chart configurations below:

• 38 technical indicators: This includes trend-based and volume-based indicators and oscillators to analyze price action and assess market sentiment, helping predict market movements.
• 24 drawing tools: Tools like Fibonacci retracement levels and Elliott waves help identify price patterns, support/resistance levels, and breakout points. However, MT5’s design can make price action harder to interpret.
• 21 timeframes: For multi-timeframe analysis, enabling detailed price action analysis.
• 3 chart types: Price action can be displayed as line, bars, or candlesticks, offering diverse perspectives on trading opportunities.

The chart screen is undeniably one of the most crucial features of a trading platform. It equips traders with essential tools and configurations to analyze price action and spot trading opportunities. Just as important is the ability to easily scale price action, allowing for a clearer and more detailed view of market movements.

Orders

MetaTrader 5 features three types of order execution: market, pending, and one-click trading, which allows for immediate entries at the spot price.

I have broken down the available order types on the MetaTrader 5 platform below:

• Market Orders: Used for immediate entry at the best available price. They guarantee volume filling, though the entry price may differ from the requested price.
• Limit Orders: Guarantee exact price entries but won’t be filled if the price doesn’t reach the trigger level.
• Stop Orders: They are used to support open positions by limiting the maximum loss that can be incurred if the market turns in the opposite direction. A stop-loss order is placed at a fixed price below or above the spot price. If the market does indeed turn and triggers the stop-loss, it will transform into a market order and get filled at the best possible price.

MT5 Desktop: My Key Takeaways

MetaTrader 5 is a good option for fast and simple order execution. However, its dated and rugged design is inferior to newer and sleeker platforms. As a trader who prioritizes flexible charts that are easily scalable, I find MT5’s charting capability too rigid and less effective.

Vantage MT5 Mobile

The MT5 mobile app is available on iOS and Android, enabling quick and easy access to the market on the go. It is very useful for opening, terminating, and adjusting open positions.

You can also use the app to place market, limit, and stop orders, as well as to adjust the exposure of your open trades.

MT5 App: My Key Takeaways

The MetaTrader app stands out for its convenience, making it an essential tool for adjusting trades, especially during periods of heightened volatility. However, I consider it cumbersome and not the best choice for analyzing price action.

ProTrader Platform

Vantage’s proprietary ProTrader platform stands out with its robust charting and professional design. It is powered by TradingView, which is arguably the best charting software in the industry. Price action is represented clearly and in great detail, and traders can easily scale the charts up and down and examine minor alterations.

ProTrader also features over 150 technical indicators, drawing tools, and chart configurations. It is available to funded accounts with at least $200.

Vantage App

The Vantage app is far more versatile than MT5, offering both order execution and account management. Traders can deposit and withdraw funds, review account performance reports, and access various other essential features—all in one place.

Fully integrated with Vantage’s research content, the app keeps traders informed of the latest market developments. Additionally, it supports copy trading, allowing signal followers to subscribe to top-performing strategies from signal providers, enhancing their trading experience.

VPS Hosting

Vantage also provides free Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting for low-latency trading. Traders can use it to achieve stable internet connectivity and ultra-fast order execution speeds averaging 5 milliseconds.

The service is free to funded accounts with at least $1000 and a notional traded volume of at least $0.5 million per month.

Vantage Execution Model

Vantage operates as an Electronic-Communication-Networks (ECN) broker without a dealing desk. Client orders are matched electronically to achieve the best possible prices. Buyers are matched to sellers, and sellers to buyers.

Tradable Instruments

I discovered that Vantage offers an average number of currency pairs and a high number of commodities, share CFDs, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

What Are CFDs?

Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are financial derivative instruments that allow traders to speculate on the price movements of an asset without owning the asset itself.

For instance, taking a long position in gold would result in a profit for the trader if the price goes up or, respectively, a loss if the price goes down. The opposite would be true for a short position in gold.

A key advantage of trading CFDs is the ability to enter and exit the market almost instantly, enabling traders to capitalize on even minor price fluctuations in the derivative.

What CFDs Can You Trade With Vantage?

Vantage Instruments: My Key Takeaways

With 1,039 tradable instruments, Vantage’s offering surpasses that of most brokers. It includes a diverse mix of lower-risk securities like ETFs and bonds, alongside higher-risk, high-yield assets such as indices and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, the broker provides a solid selection of futures contracts, catering to swing and position traders.

I particularly appreciated Vantage’s above-average cryptocurrency offering and the flexibility of cryptos and some metals being denominated in multiple currencies (USD, JPY, and EUR). This feature allows traders greater versatility in managing their trades. My only minor concern is the absence of stocks from Asian companies in its asset selection.

Customer Support

Customer Support Channels

Customer Support Test

When we test a broker’s customer support, we evaluate the agent’s knowledge of their own website, how long it takes them to respond to questions, and how detailed their answers are.

I performed my test on 22 February at around 3:15 pm via live chat. Before speaking to an agent, I had to navigate a chatbot and was asked to provide my name, email address, and account number (if registered).

An agent connected almost instantly, providing quick and concise responses. He handled straightforward inquiries well, such as questions about the broker’s copy trading service and potential hidden commissions.

However, he struggled with more complex topics. When asked about Vantage’s execution model, he appeared uncertain. Additionally, he was unaware that Vantage offers civil liabilities insurance through Lloyd’s.

Deposit and Withdrawal

Vantage Deposits

Vantage Withdrawals

Account Types and Terms

Vantage Account Opening Process

To create an account with Vantage, follow these simple steps:

1. Click ‘Register’ at the top-right corner of the main page.
2. Choose your country of residence and enter an email address.
3. Enter your email verification code.
4. Choose a password.
5. Declare that you are not a US person.
6. Agree to Vantage’s Terms and Conditions.
7. Enter the Client Portal.
8. Provide the rest of your personal details.
9. Choose an account type and base currency.
10. Upload proof of ID and proof of address to verify your account.

Vantage Account Types

In my estimation, the Standard Vantage account offers more favorable conditions than other brokers’ standard accounts. It also features a combination of a 50% margin call and a 20% stop-out. Generally speaking, the lower the margin call and higher the stop-out, the lesser the risk of incurring a negative balance.

I also concluded that the Vantage Raw account offers the most efficient conditions in terms of price competitiveness and affordability. It has a better pricing mechanism than the Standard account and the same barrier to entry—a $50 minimum deposit requirement.

Demo Accounts

Vantage offers a demo account that introduces traders to the broker’s services and allows them to tweak their strategies in a risk-free environment. The market is continually evolving and never static, so it is important to hone your skills in a safe environment. You can set up a demo account for yourself before or alongside your live CFD account.

Islamic Accounts

Vantage offers Islamic accounts for swap-free trading under Shariah law. Clients must contact the broker’s customer support to request further assistance.

What is CFD Leverage?

Leverage determines a trader’s overall market exposure. When trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), positions can be opened for a fraction of their value because of leverage. Essentially, the broker lends the trader money so that they can open bigger positions. Leverage multiplies the profits a trader generates from winning positions but also the losses incurred from failed trades.

Maximum Leverage By Asset Class

In the table below, I have listed the maximum retail leverage available with Vantage for instruments from different asset classes:

Vantage Restricted Countries

Vantage does not accept as clients residents of certain jurisdictions such as Canada, China, Romania, Singapore, the United States, and jurisdictions on the FATF and EU/UN sanctions lists.

Research

Research Tools

I have broken down the most important types of market research with Vantage:

• Economic Calendar: It is an indispensable tool in a trader’s arsenal that informs the trader of upcoming market events and news releases.
• Trading Central: Vantage’s ProTrader platform offers Trading Central tools, including technical analysis, trading ideas, and Market Buzz, a market sentiment gauge.
• Trading Edge+: The Edge+ package features an intelligent terminal with AI-powered technical research combined with human-led market research from Autochartist, including a variety of trading ideas. The Edge+ plugins can be used on MT4 and MT5 to present the user with actionable trading signals in real time.
• Market Sentiment Gauge: In addition to the Market Buzz feature, Vantage also incorporates a TradingView-powered market sentiment gauge. It informs traders of the latest changes in buying and selling dynamics across different assets.
• Financial News: Published daily on the broker’s YouTube channel, the financial news breakdowns are light and easy-to-assimilate content geared towards informing traders of the latest market developments: what is causing the market to behave as it does and how traders can exploit this.

Vantage Research: My Key Takeaways

Vantage’s market research is well-calibrated for traders with different backgrounds – from inexperienced newbies to seasoned professionals. The offering comprises a variety of featured trading ideas, comprehensive market breakdowns, intuitive market sentiment gauges, and more. The content from Trading Central and Autochartist provides traders with a layered overview of market developments from multiple angles.

Education

I have broken down the available educational materials with Vantage below:

• Articles: Vantage has published over 300 articles in its Academy, covering a wide range of topics—from practical trading insights to broader concepts like market seasonality.
• Videos: The broker has also released more than 115 educational videos on its YouTube channel, offering visual learning resources for traders.
• Courses: Vantage provides three comprehensive educational courses on forex, stocks, and indices trading, making it one of the few brokers to offer in-depth and structured training, particularly in indices trading.
• Webinars: The broker hosts weekly webinars, which are later uploaded to YouTube, allowing traders to learn at their own pace.
• Ebook: A detailed guide covering the fundamentals of trading, including CFDs on stocks, indices, forex, and commodities.
• The Vantage View (Posdcast): A series exploring macro-level topics such as “The Future of Space Economy,” “The Future of Sustainable Mobility,” and “The Future of Circular Economy.” With 10+ episodes, the podcast is available on YouTube.

The Bottom Line

Vantage is a global leader in the online trading industry. Established in 2009 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, it offers over 1000 tradable instruments from different markets.

The broker excels with its low trading fees, choice of versatile trading platforms, robust market research, and comprehensive educational offering.

Vantage is also a great choice for algo trading because it provides free VPS hosting and copy trading via its intuitive mobile app.

The only drawbacks I found are its inconsistent customer support and absence of share CFDs of Asian companies.

In conclusion, I rate Vantage as a great choice for traders of all types and with all kinds of background experience.

FAQ