| Online Broker | Minimum Deposit | Trading Platforms | Markets | About |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThinkMarkets | None Minimum Deposit | MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader Trading Platforms | 3500+ Markets To Trade | ThinkMarkets offers trading on MT4 and MT5 and user friendly ThinkTrader, and provides 3500+ Stocks CFDs About |
| Vantage | $50 Minimum Deposit | MT4, MT5, ProTrader Trading Platforms | 400+ Markets To Trade | Vantage offers trading on MT4 and MT5 and user friendly ProTrader About |
ThinkMarkets vs Vantage (formerly Vantage FX)
Both of these brokers offer the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) online trading platform and MT4's successor, namely MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Both of these platform allow the trader to trade using robots (automated trading strategies executed on behalf of the trader by computer programs). Each platform also lets the trader execute trades at their own discretion, rather than using robots.
For human traders who may wish to use a clear simplified trading platform, ThinkMarkets offers ThinkTrader while Vantage provides ProTrader (powered by TradingView). Each broker provides CFD trading, but the UK, ThinkMarkets additionally provides MT4 and MT5 spread betting.
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and the ASIC in Australia and is licensed by the FSCA in South Africa. Vantage is regulated by the CIMA in the Cayman Islands.
ECN trading conditions
Both brokers offers account which the trader can trade with potentially low spreads for the more liquid Forex pairs, plus a commission charge. Each also utilises Equinix infrastructure to aid in high speed order execution, which can be important for some trading approaches.
Quick comparison
Both offer MT4 and MT5, ThinkMarkets also provides ThinkTrader, while Vantage offers ProTrader. For its Standard account ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit requirement, but for its ThinkZero account, it has a higher minimum deposit than Vantage.
Minimum deposit and account types
There is no minimum deposit for the ThinkMarkets Standard account, but the minimum deposit for its ThinkZero account is $500. The minimum deposit for Vantage is $50.
- ThinkMarkets offers both CFD trading and spread betting. It offers the Standard account and the ThinkZero account. An Islamic account is available. ThinkMarkets utilises Equinix data centers for all account types, namely LD4 (London) and HK4 (Hong Kong). There is no minimum deposit for the Standard account. The minimum deposit for the ThinkZero account is $/£500. The Standard account does not charge commissions, ThinkZero account does charge a commission. EAs and scalping are allowed. The minimum trade size is 0.01 standard lots.
- ThinkMarkets account types provide 24/6 Live Support and a Free VPS Service, T&Cs apply. The ThinkZero account also offers AutoChartist and an account manager. ThinkMarkets offers Market News, Webinars, an Economic Calendar and Tutorials on its website.
- Vantage offers Standard STP, Raw ECN, Islamic and Pro ECN accounts. The STP account has a minimum deposit of $50, the Raw ECN account has a minimum deposit of $50 and the Pro ECN account has a minimum deposit of $10,000. The minimum trade size is 0.01 lots.
- Vantage's Standard STP account does not charge commissions, while the Raw and Pro ECN accounts do charge commissions. All accounts allow scalping. Vantage supports social and copy trading via ZuluTrade, Myfxbook Autotrade, DupliTrade and Vantage Social Trading (on the Vantage mobile app). The Pro ECN account offers lower commission charges and access to Interbank price feeds.
Markets
- ThinkMarkets provides Forex, Indices, Energy, Metals, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks and Soft Commodities, with 3500+ available.
- Vantage offers Forex, Indices, Energy, Metals, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks and Soft Commodities, with 400+ available.
| Broker | Trading Platforms | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vantage Broker | MT4, MT5 Trading Platforms | Vantage offers trading on MT4 and MT5, providing accounts for traders such as automated traders and scalpers Description |
| ThinkMarkets Broker | MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader Trading Platforms | ThinkMarkets offers trading on user friendly ThinkTrader and on MT4 and MT5, supporting automated trading with robots Description |
Spreads and leverage
- Both brokers may offer very low Forex spreads for the most liquid Forex pairs, plus a commission charge. Vantage also offers Forex spreads without a commission charge from 1.0 and ThinkMarkets offers Forex spreads from 0.4 without a commission charge.
Maximum leverage for ThinkMarkets (FCA regulated) is . Maximum leverage for ThinkMarkets Bermuda is 500:1. Maximum leverage for Vantage (CIMA regulated) is 500:1.
Commission charges
- ThinkMarkets does not charge a commission on the Standard account and charges a commission of $3.5 per lot per side for its ThinkZero account.
- Vantage has a commission charge of $3 per lot per side for ECN trading, except for its Pro ECN account which has a commission charge of $1.50 per lot per side.
Online trading platforms
Each offers MT4 and MT5. ThinkMarkets additionally provides ThinkTrader. Vantage additionally offers ProTrader.
Why ThinkMarkets or Vantage ?
Traders who want to trade on MT4 or MT5 may do so at either broker. Traders who want to trade on a user friendly platform can find ThinkTrader at ThinkMarkets and ProTrader (powered by TradingView) at Vantage. Traders who want to social and copy trade may do so at either broker. At both brokers, traders can try a wide range of types of trading from automated trading to scalping to trading on a user friendly platform. Traders who want an account with no minimum deposit can find this at ThinkMarkets.
Comparison summary
- Both offer CFD trading
- In the UK, ThinkMarkets also offers spread betting
- Each provides MT4 and MT5
- ThinkMarkets also offers ThinkTrader
- Vantage additionally provides ProTrader (powered by TradingView)
- Both allow trading using Expert Advisors (EAs)
- ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit for its Standard account
- For its EA friendly ThinkZero account ThinkMarkets has a higher minimum deposit than Vantage
- ThinkMarkets offers 3500+ Stocks CFDs
