Two well-established brokers clash on scope and strategy. The matchup pits Vanguard's long-term fund orientation against FXTM's broader platform and equity CFD offering.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose FXTM if you want short selling and advanced charting, with access to 6 exchanges and multilingual support. It suits traders seeking flexibility and global reach across emerging markets.
Choose if…
Choose Vanguard if you want ISA and SIPP access to Vanguard funds with no individual share dealing. You also benefit from a proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 1.5 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXTM | 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) | Pass | 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: FXTM rates 3.7/5 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.
FXTM starts from 1.5. Current spread data is not available for Vanguard. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
FXTM has no minimum deposit, while Vanguard requires at least $100. This makes FXTM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXTM 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.
FXTM 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.
FXTM lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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.
FXTM supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Vanguard supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXTM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Vanguard has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither FXTM 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.
Both FXTM and Vanguard are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
Vanguard wins for safety & regulation with FCA oversight and FSCS protection.
Vanguard wins for long-term investing with ISA/SIPP access and dividend reinvestment.
FXTM wins for active traders with short selling, advanced charting, and multiple exchanges.
Vanguard wins for beginners with simple funds in ISA/SIPP and protective structure.
FXTM wins for global market access with 6 exchanges and multilingual support.
Vanguard wins for low-cost trading due to low fund expense ratios and a capped platform fee.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | 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 | CySEC FSCA FCA FSC | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Vanguard edges FXTM on the editorial score, reflecting stronger trust & regulation and lower fees; FXTM has stronger platforms, but the overall score still favors Vanguard.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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