Two brokers present contrasting models for stock exposure: one prioritizes regulated, low-cost access to its own funds and ISA/SIPP wrappers, the other offers institutional-style CFD execution across multiple global shares.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want ECN execution on share CFDs across multiple exchanges and higher leverage.
Choose if…
Choose Vanguard if you want ISA/SIPP access to Vanguard funds with FSCS protection and a capped platform fee.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and Vanguard rates 4.1/5. Vanguard has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ACY Securities starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Vanguard. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ACY Securities has $50, while Vanguard requires at least $100. This makes ACY Securities more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities and Vanguard hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
ACY Securities stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Vanguard lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Vanguard are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Vanguard supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ACY Securities has exclusive access to TradingView and MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Vanguard has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither ACY Securities nor Vanguard is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Vanguard scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Vanguard wins with FCA regulation and FSCS protection for investor funds.
Vanguard wins due to ISA/SIPP access to index funds and reinvestment potential.
ACY Securities wins with ECN execution, multiple exchanges, and higher leverage.
ACY Securities wins for beginners thanks to a low minimum deposit and accessible professional trading tools.
ACY Securities wins because it provides five exchanges versus Vanguard's single exchange.
Vanguard wins for low-cost access with a platform fee cap and low fund expense ratios.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | TradingView MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Vanguard edges ACY Securities on editorial score, due to stronger trust & regulation and a superior fees profile, while ACY emphasizes ECN execution for share CFDs.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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