In this article, we will conduct a comprehensive review of the Forex broker Vantage and determine whether it is safe to trade with them. This information will help traders make an informed choice and decide on a partner to work with in the currency market.

Vantage Broker Overview

Vantage is a global multi-asset broker providing CFD trading services on Forex, commodities, indices, and stocks. Founded over 10 years ago and based in Sydney, it employs over 1,000 people in more than 30 offices worldwide.

Vantage is not just a broker; it is a trusted trading ecosystem that enables clients to succeed faster and more straightforwardly. The company aims to allow its clients to better capitalize on winning market opportunities by offering innovative trading solutions under the Vantage brand.

Vantage Review Summary

The evaluation of Vantage broker is based on a comprehensive analysis, including examining trading platforms, available markets, educational materials, and technical support. We apply a strict evaluation methodology, which can be studied in detail on our website at the link: broker evaluation methodology. Continue reading to learn more about all aspects of working with Vantage Markets and determine if it meets your requirements and expectations.

Legal Entity	Regulator	Review
Vantage Global Limited Vantage Global Limited	VFSC VFSC	—
Vantage International Group Limited Vantage International Group Limited	CIMA CIMA	Vantage review
Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd	ASIC ASIC	Vantage AU review
Vantage Global Prime LLP Vantage Global Prime LLP	FCA FCA	Current review
Vantage Markets (PTY) Limited Vantage Markets (PTY) Limited	FSCA FSCA	Vantage SA review

Vantage demonstrates high reliability and regulation, confirmed by licenses from various authoritative regulators in different jurisdictions. Among them are VFSC in Vanuatu, CIMA in the Cayman Islands, ASIC in Australia, FSCA in South Africa and FCA in the United Kingdom. These bodies are known for their strict approach to regulating and controlling financial institutions' activities.

The variety of licenses and geographic presence in different regulatory jurisdictions allows for a high level of confidence in the reliability of the Vantage broker. This ensures that the company's clients are protected by strict standards and laws, protecting their global market interests.

Regulation in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, Vantage is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), one of the most respected financial regulatory bodies worldwide. The FCA's strict regulatory standards ensure high trader protection and financial conduct. Under the FCA regulation, Vantage adheres to stringent operational standards, including the protection of client funds.

Traders are further protected by the UK's Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). This scheme provides a safety net to clients of regulated firms. If broker insolvency or any other eligible scenario leads to financial loss for the trader, the FSCS can compensate up to £85,000 per investor. This significant protection measure adds an extra layer of security for traders using Vantage in the UK market, ensuring their investments are safeguarded under strict regulatory guidelines.

Opening a trading account with Vantage is a simple and quick process, which can be completed in just 5 minutes. The procedure includes several vital stages: registration and verification.

Registration

Registering an account with Vantage begins with filling out an online form, where you can sign up using Google or an email address. The user must also agree to the Privacy Policy and consent to communication with a Vantage Markets representative for assistance with the application.

Verification

Verification of the account requires providing documents that prove identity. This may include a valid passport, a photo driver's license, or a national identification card. Additionally, documents confirming the current permanent address, such as utility bills or bank statements, must be provided. All documents must be clear and no older than 3 months. Verification usually takes up to 24 hours.

Minimum Deposit

Vantage sets different minimum deposit requirements for its various trading accounts, catering to diverse trader needs. For the Standard account, the minimum deposit is set at £200, while for the Raw account, traders must deposit a minimum of £500. These deposit thresholds are comparatively higher than many of Vantage's competitors, reflecting each account type's targeted service and features.

Vantage offers a variety of account types, which can meet the needs of most traders, from beginners to professionals. Standard accounts, ECN accounts, copy trading, and social trading provide flexibility and various options for different strategies and trading styles. However, the absence of cent accounts and fixed spread accounts may limit the choice for some categories of traders.

Trading Accounts

Vantage offers a variety of trading account types to satisfy the needs of different categories of traders. Here is a brief overview of each:

• Standard. This STP account is ideal for novice traders who want simple, direct market access without commissions.
• Raw. This ECN account is designed for experienced traders who require deep liquidity and tight spreads.

Each account offers various currency pairs, indices, ETFs, commodities, stock CFDs, and various trading platforms, including MT4/MT5 for Mac, WebTrader, and mobile applications. This ensures flexibility and choice for traders of all experience levels.

Demo Account

The Vantage demo account provides an excellent opportunity for novices and experienced traders to practice trading without risk. Here are the main features and benefits of the demo account:

• Virtual funds. The demo account provides £100,000 in virtual funds for practice, allowing you to test various trading strategies without the risk of losing real money.
• Duration of the demo account. The Vantage demo account is valid for 30 days. However, upon opening a real trading account, traders receive an unlimited demo account with no expiration date.
• Funds replenishment. You can easily reset your demo account balance to £100,000 by clicking on the ‘£’ symbol in the 'Reset Balance' column and specifying the desired amount.
• User-friendly interface. The demo account is particularly suitable for beginners as it offers various trading tools and is easy to use.

The Vantage demo account is an excellent tool for learning the basics of trading and for experienced traders who wish to test new strategies and ideas in a safe and controlled environment. It allows traders to confidently transition to actual trading, enriching their experience and skills without the risk of capital loss.

Pro ECN Account

The Vantage PRO ECN Account is tailored for professional traders, money managers, and algorithmic traders, offering them access to institutional-grade liquidity from leading global providers. Ultra-low spreads and a breakneck execution speed characterize this account. It's designed to facilitate trading at the lowest possible cost, with a commission of just $1.00 per standard FX lot per side. This account stands out for its professional trading conditions, making it a suitable choice for seasoned traders.

Eligibility Criteria for Vantage Professional Account

To qualify for a Vantage Professional Account, potential clients must meet at least two of the following criteria:

1. Trading volume: Engaged in significant-sized transactions at an average frequency of 10 per quarter over the last four quarters.
2. Investment portfolio size: Possessing a financial instrument portfolio exceeding EUR 500,000, including cash deposits.
3. Professional experience: At least one year of professional employment in the financial sector, requiring knowledge of the transactions or services involved.

In addition, Vantage assesses each client's trading knowledge, experience, and expertise to ensure they can make informed investment decisions.

Features of Vantage PRO ECN Account

The Vantage PRO ECN Account offers a sophisticated trading environment, providing professional traders with the tools and conditions to execute their strategies effectively. This account is a testament to Vantage's commitment to catering to the high-end needs of the trading community.

Islamic Account

Islamic Forex broker accounts are specifically designed for traders who cannot earn or pay swaps due to religious beliefs.

Features of the Vantage Islamic Account

• Account Types. Vantage offers Swap-free versions for both Standard and Raw accounts.
• Access to liquidity. Traders can utilize Vantage's institutional liquidity, which is directly streamed from the most prominent institutions to MT4.
• No swaps. Accounts do not charge any swaps in compliance with Islamic financial laws.

How to Open an Islamic Account?

To open an Islamic account, complete a simple online application and provide the requested identity verification documents.

Additional fees

Islamic accounts are charged standard STP or Raw ECN spreads according to the selected account type. Vantage passes on specific charges, which their liquidity providers levy, for maintaining open positions. This administrative fee is calculated at 00:00 platform time and applied at 1:00 AM platform time.

Spread Betting

Spread Betting is an alternative trading option offered by Vantage, primarily available to residents of the UK and Ireland. This form of trading allows clients to speculate on price movements in various financial markets – such as shares, indices, currencies, and other assets – without owning the underlying products. One of the critical attractions of Spread Betting is its tax-free benefits, making it a popular choice among traders in these regions.

Spread Betting with Vantage comes with the advantage of zero-commission trading. Clients are only required to pay the spread, the difference between the buy and sell price. This can significantly reduce trading costs compared to traditional trading methods.

Social Trading

V-Social, powered by Pelican, is an innovative social trading app that integrates trading and communication in one platform, transforming how traders interact and operate in the financial markets. This app allows users to open an account in under two minutes, enabling them to trade, chat, and copy trades all on the go. One of its standout features is the ability to auto-copy traders who have demonstrated the best performance, streamlining the process of leveraging expert strategies.

V-Social revolutionizes trading by facilitating a vibrant community where traders can ask questions, learn from seasoned investors, and even get paid for sharing their trading insights. The app supports both iOS (Apple) and Android devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Key Features of V-Social Trading

V-Social represents a trading revolution, offering a unique blend of social interaction and market access. Traders are no longer isolated; they can interact with mentors, friends, and the broader trading community, all while engaging in global markets. This approach to trading ensures that users never have to trade alone again, making V-Social a compelling platform for modern traders seeking a more connected and interactive trading experience.

Commissions are an essential factor when choosing a broker, and Vantage offers various commission structures that can suit different types of traders.

Trading Commissions

Forex broker trading commissions typically consist of a commission per lot, spreads, and swaps. The type of commission and its size depend on the trading account.

Commission per Trade

The Raw Vantage account charges a commission of $3 per lot per side. This is an average value in the market and may be acceptable for many traders looking for a transparent commission structure.

Below is the commission per lot per side for the EURUSD pair at different Forex brokers:

Spreads and Swaps

Spreads on the standard Vantage account are comparable to most competitors, while swaps are below the market average. These core trading costs vary depending on market conditions but are competitive and meet industry standards.

Below is a table of average spreads and swaps for major currency pairs on the standard Vantage account.

Other Fees

Vantage stands out by not charging an inactivity fee, which is an advantage for those who trade less frequently. In addition, the company does not charge internal commissions for deposits or withdrawals. However, it should be noted that international bank transfers may be subject to a minimum processing fee of 20 units of the account's base currency by Vantage's bank. This may affect traders who make frequent international transfers.

Vantage offers convenient and flexible account funding and withdrawal options with minimal or no internal fees.

Account Funding Methods

Payment System	Currencies	Deposit Fee	Operation Limit
Neteller	USDEURGBP	0%	up to 10000 USDup to 10000 EURup to 10000 GBP
Skrill	USDEURGBP	0%	up to 10000 USDup to 10000 EURup to 10000 GBP
Bank Transfer	USDEURGBP	0%	up to 10000 USDup to 10000 EURup to 10000 GBP
Visa	USDEURGBP	0%	up to 10000 USDup to 10000 EURup to 10000 GBP
Mastercard	USDEURGBP	0%	up to 10000 USDup to 10000 EURup to 10000 GBP
POLi	AUD	0%	up to 10000 AUD

Vantage offers a straightforward and secure approach to funding trading accounts, ensuring the process aligns with regulatory requirements and client convenience. It's important to note that Vantage strictly prohibits third-party payments; all funds deposited must be under the same name as the Vantage trading account holder. This policy is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of transactions.

When it comes to transaction fees, Vantage covers only the costs that are visible to them. The client is responsible for any additional charges imposed by the client's bank, intermediary banks, or Vantage’s financial institution (NatWest Bank). When funds are not instantly credited to MetaTrader 4, clients must ensure the availability of required funds in their accounts through other payment methods.

Withdrawal Methods

Payment System	Currencies	Withdrawal Fee	Operation Limit
Skrill	USDEURGBP	1% limitscommission limits	—
Neteller	USDEURGBP	2% limitscommission limits	up to 10000 USD
Bank Transfer	USDEURGBP	0.5%	—
Mastercard	USDEURGBP	2.64% limitscommission limits	—
Visa	USDEURGBP	2.54% limitscommission limits	—

Clients can withdraw funds online by logging into the secure Vantage client portal and selecting the withdrawal tab from the menu. Ensuring that the requested amount meets or exceeds the minimum amount for each withdrawal method is essential. Vantage does not charge internal fees for deposits or withdrawals; intermediary fees may apply, which are the client's responsibility. There are certain restrictions and rules, such as mandatory verification for the first withdrawal request, fees for withdrawals through Neteller and Skrill, and a minimum fee for international wire transfers. Furthermore, Vantage reserves the right to refuse to process a withdrawal request under certain circumstances related to Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws, as well as if there is reason to believe that the trading account may become negative after processing the withdrawal request.

Vantage offers a relatively wide range of trading instruments. Leverage also varies depending on the type of instrument, reaching a maximum of 1:30 for retail clients.

What markets are available?

Leverage

Leverage may differ for different types of instruments.

Vantage trading platforms are highly rated for their convenient and functional structure. Clients are offered various platforms, including the Vantage mobile app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ProTrader, and TradingView. These platforms provide traders access to powerful trading tools, various technical indicators, and flexible chart settings. ProTrader, in particular, deserves special mention for its unique analytical and trading capabilities.

Vantage Mobile App

The Vantage mobile application provides traders convenient access to global markets trading from mobile devices. Available for iOS and Android, the app is equipped with tools for trading and investing, including technical indicators such as Moving Averages, Bollinger Bands, MACD, and 9 timeframes. The app offers quick access to over 1000 instruments, account management, news, and analytics from Trading Central.

MetaTrader 4

MetaTrader 4 is one of the most popular trading platforms in the world. It offers a wide range of market analysis tools, the use of trading robots, and strategy testing. With MT4, traders can enjoy flexible chart settings, many technical indicators, and a user-friendly interface for efficient trading.

MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader 5 continues the successful MetaTrader platform series and offers even more features and tools for professional trading. With MT5, traders gain access to additional timeframes, an economic calendar, enhanced charting capabilities, and much more. This platform is ideal for those seeking advanced trading technologies.

ProTrader

ProTrader, developed in collaboration with TradingView, offers clients access to hundreds of popular indicators, over 50 technical drawing tools, and a comprehensive set of tools for in-depth market analysis. The platform features 12 charts, including traditional Japanese candles, Renko, and Kagi, and many timeframes and chart layouts. With ProTrader, traders can execute trades with high precision, choose from over 1000 tradable CFD assets, and stay updated with market news.

TradingView

TradingView is a high-performance financial data visualization platform that is available as a web service. It provides an extensive set of tools for technical analysis, charting, asset screening, trading signals, and the ability to trade directly through the platform.

A key feature of TradingView is integrating social features that allow users to share trading ideas and strategies, make forecasts, and discuss market trends in real-time. Individual trading ideas can be easily visualized and available for discussion with other community members.

TradingView appeals to beginners, experienced traders, and analysts because it supports various financial instruments, including stocks, forex, futures, options, cryptocurrencies, and many others.

How do I connect my Vantage account to TradingView?

Vantage is tightly integrated with TradingView, allowing traders to perform complex market analysis and execute trades through the TradingView interface. Follow the steps below to get started:

1. Log in: First, log in to your TradingView account.
2. Opening the Trading Dashboard: After that, go to www.tradingview.com/chart and open the trading dashboard.
3. Selecting Vantage as your broker: On the trading panel, select Vantage and enter the details to access your live or demo account with the broker.

These steps will help you effectively utilize TradingView's features to manage your investments through Vantage.

Vantage's analytical capabilities encompass a broad spectrum of tools and services designed to support traders of all levels.

Daily Market Analysis

Vantage provides its clients with up-to-date daily analytical reviews, which help traders stay informed of the latest trends and events in global markets.

Economic Calendar

With Vantage's Forex economic calendar, traders can keep track of important economic events and releases that can impact currency pairs and other financial instruments.

Forex Sentiment Indicators

These unique indicators allow for gauging the overall market sentiment, providing traders with valuable information about current bullish and bearish trends.

Smart Trader Tools

The Smart Trader Tools package allows Vantage MT4 and MT5 platforms to compete with the most advanced institutional trading platforms. It includes:

• Alarm Manager. Automated notifications and trading based on predefined rules.
• Correlation Matrix. A correlation matrix for analyzing the relationships between various symbols.
• Correlation Trader. A tool for comparing correlation patterns and trading directly from the instrument.
• Excel RTD Link. Integration with MS Excel for real-time analysis and rule creation.

Calculators

Vantage's calculators are designed to assist traders in precise calculations, such as position size, risk, and profit, making the decision-making process more informed.

Daily Forex Signals

In partnership with Trading Central, Vantage offers daily signals and technical analyses, helping traders identify potentially profitable opportunities in the Forex market.

ProTrader Tools

These tools provide traders with premium access to exclusive analytical data, trading setups, and real-time news, making trading more informed and strategic.

Market Buzz

The next-generation news service, Market Buzz, reviews and analyzes more than 35,000 tradable assets, including currencies, commodities, indices, and CFD stocks.

Featured Ideas

This section provides personalized trading ideas and setups based on proven and tested strategies, giving traders access to educational materials and live charts of actual trades.

Vantage offers extensive educational resources, including detailed guides, up-to-date articles, educational webinars, and specialized courses on Forex market trading. These materials can be helpful for traders of all levels, from beginners to professionals, and cover various aspects of trading.

Guides and Articles

The broker offers extensive guides and articles covering various trading aspects, from basic concepts such as "How to Trade Indices" to more advanced topics like comparing options and stocks. These materials can be helpful for both beginners and experienced traders.

Vantage also regularly publishes up-to-date articles that analyze current market trends, such as S&P 500 stocks to watch during earnings season or analysis of ESG stocks. These materials can help traders stay informed about the latest news and opportunities in the market.

Educational Webinars

The broker conducts regular free webinars that allow traders to deepen their knowledge in various aspects of trading. From analyzing specific currency pairs to an introduction to trading based on Price Action, these webinars offer valuable knowledge from experts in the field. Missed sessions are also available for viewing in the archive.

Forex Trading Course

Vantage also offers a specialized article-based course on Forex trading. This course covers various topics, including an overview of the Forex market, market analysis, and trading psychology.

Vantage technical support offers various communication channels, including email, phone, and live chat, as well as a unique remote support service through TeamViewer. This ensures flexibility and accessibility for clients. However, mixed customer reviews indicate inconsistent service quality, especially regarding response speed and the effectiveness of provided solutions.

Contact details

Clients can contact support through online chat, email address or phone:

• email: support@vantagemarkets.co.uk
• phone: +44(0)20 7043 5050

Support via TeamViewer

Vantage also offers a unique 1-on-1 remote support service through TeamViewer. This service allows the support team to connect to the client's computer and address issues directly.

Support Reviews

Reviews about Vantage's technical support are mixed. Some clients praise the speed and efficiency of the service, while others express dissatisfaction with delays in fund withdrawals and insufficient support from the helpdesk.

Vantage Pros and Cons

Advantages

1. Wide range of trading instruments. Many available markets and products include currency pairs, indices, and metals.
2. Diversity of trading platforms. Availability of various platforms, including mobile app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ProTrader, and TradingView.
3. Extensive analytical tools. Various market analysis tools are available, including correlation matrices, trading signals, etc.
4. Educational materials. Availability of webinars, articles, and other educational resources.

Disadvantages

1. Variable quality of technical support. Some clients complain about the low efficiency and speed of service.

Conclusion

Vantage offers various trading instruments and platforms, making it attractive for multiple UK traders. The availability of extensive analytical tools and educational materials can benefit novice traders looking to deepen their knowledge.

Vantage UK could be a good choice for intermediate and advanced traders seeking a variety of trading instruments and platforms. This broker may be unsuitable for those seeking specialized cryptocurrency opportunities or more personalized support.