Thanks to its broad and diverse offering, VT Markets is a major force in the trading industry. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Australia, VT Markets is backed by several licenses from three financial regulators.
VT Markets lets traders access 1,000 CFDs across forex, commodities, stocks, ETFs, indices, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. Its fees are highly competitive, and I was especially impressed by the razor-sharp spreads on indices and cryptos.
The platform lineup includes MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, and two proprietary apps – the VT Markets App for trading on the go and VTrade for copy trading. These are backed by in-depth research from Trading Central and VT Markets’ own market insights.
I haven’t found many drawbacks, but VT Markets provides a somewhat limited educational offering and charges a withdrawal fee via some payment methods.
Overall, I find VT Markets is an excellent choice for day traders looking to scoop the next great opportunity, swing traders looking to diversify their market exposure, and algo traders who appreciate low spreads and fast execution speeds.
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When reviewing a broker, we assess whether it suits different trading strategies and trader profiles. To achieve this, we evaluate the availability of the necessary features and tools. Here’s our verdict about VT Markets:
VT Markets appeals to casual traders with its $100 minimum deposit, diverse selection of tradable instruments, popular retail platforms, competitive spreads, and robust market research.
VT Markets delivers a well-balanced selection of high-yield assets and low-risk securities for long-term trading. Swing traders can engage with nearly 100 indices, ETFs, and bonds. During my test, I recorded the average for the industry swap fees.
VT Markets offers superior market research by Trading Central, one of the biggest and most trusted providers of market reviews and actionable trading signals. Day traders can also use TradingView’s advanced charting capabilities, ideal for spotting emerging trading setups.
VT Markets offers access to the Trading Central package, which includes an intuitive economic calendar, a sophisticated market sentiment gauge, and actionable trading signals. The broker also publishes proprietary video market breakdowns on its YouTube channel.
MT4 and MT5 have built-in strategy testers and support trade automation via Expert Advisors (EAs). Algo traders can also use VT Markets’ Cent account, which is ideal for algo testing in real-world trading. To cap it all off, VT Markets offers Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting to achieve low-latency trading and stable internet connectivity.
The broker should be congratulated for creating VTrade – a sophisticated proprietary platform connecting signal providers and signal followers. VT Markets also incorporates TradingView, which hosts the arguably largest social trading community on the internet, with fresh ideas and know-how being shared almost constantly. On the downside, the broker imposes an additional fee for copy traders using VTrade.
VT Markets’ MetaTrader 5 is a fitting choice for scalpers because it features 21 timeframes, Depth-of-Market (DoM) trading, floating stop orders, and one-click trading. One disadvantage of the industry’s workhorse, however, is that its charts are rather rugged and cumbersome.
VT Markets does not offer any real stocks for value investing and portfolio building.
VT Markets distinguishes itself with tight indices and crypto spreads. It also offers a broad and diverse selection of 1,000+ tradable instruments, which is perfect for portfolio diversification.
Watch our ‘Best ASIC-Regulated Brokers’ video that features VT Markets:
I opened a Standard STP account with the VT Markets (Pty) Ltd entity and performed my tests on the desktop and mobile versions of the MetaTrader 5 platform. Some features and services may vary depending on where you reside.
☑️ Regulations | FSCM (Mauritius), SCA (United Arab Emirates), FSCA (South Africa) |
🗺 Supported Languages | English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Turkish, Polish |
💰 Products | Currencies, Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Indices, Commodities, Futures |
💵 Min Deposit | $100 |
💹 Max Leverage | 1:1000 (FSCM), 1:1000 (SCA), 1:1000 (FSCA) |
🖥 Trading Desk Type | ECN, STP, No dealing desk |
📊 Trading Platforms | MT5, MT4, VT Markets app, TradingView |
💳 Deposit Options | Wire Transfer, Neteller, FasaPay, Skrill, Credit Card, Debit Card, Union Pay, Local Transfer |
💳 Withdrawal Options | Wire Transfer, Neteller, FasaPay, Skrill, Credit Card, Union Pay, Debit Card, Local Transfer |
🤴 Demo Account | Yes |
🗓 Foundation Year | 2015 |
🌎 Headquarters Country | Australia |
VT Markets operates four entities regulated globally. The broker keeps client funds segregated and ensures negative balance protection. It also operates on a ‘best execution basis’, participates in The Financial Commission, and has issued a civil liabilities insurance for additional protection. Its legal documents are publicly available and transparent.
Entity Features | VT Markets (Pty) Ltd | VT Markets (Pty) Ltd – Dubai Branch | VT Markets Limited | VT Markets LLC |
Country/Region | South Africa/Cape Town | UAE/Dubai | Mauritius/Ebene | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines/Kingstown |
Regulation | FSCA | SCA | FSC | Not Regulated |
Tier | 2 | 2 | 3 | NA |
Segregated Funds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Negative Balance Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Compensation Scheme | Up to EUR 20,000 under The Financial Commission | No | Up to USD 1 million under indemnity insurance | No |
Maximum Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:1000 | 1:1000 | 1:1000 |
When we review brokers, we look at the licenses held by each of their entities to understand how well they protect clients. We use a simple three-tier system to rank regulatory bodies, with Tier 1 being the most trusted and offering the highest level of protection.
This is what I discovered about the four entities operating under the VT Markets trade name:
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 with which they choose to open an account.
Here is how VT Markets protects you:
To learn more about the most important safety mechanisms and how they apply to you, click here.
In our Trust category, we assess how stable and transparent a broker is. This includes how long they’ve been in business, the company’s size, and how openly they share important information.
According to its LinkedIn page, VT Markets has been operating for a decade and employs more than 350 professionals. Its dedication to client safety is further underpinned by its membership in The Financial Commission.
I checked VT Markets’ legal documents and determined everything was in order. All essential information is readily available and reasonably comprehensive. There are no significant omissions, and I also learned that the broker operates on a ‘best execution’ basis, whereby it is required to provide optimal price quotes under the prevailing market conditions.
While VT Markets isn’t regulated by any top-tier authority, it still goes the extra mile to protect its clients. Based on my examination, I believe VT Markets can be considered safe for the following reasons:
Overall, VT Markets’ fees are attractive. While its spreads on forex and commodities sit around the industry average, the broker really shines with competitive pricing on indices, stock CFDs, and Bitcoin. Swaps and commissions are also in line with the market. Deposits are free, though withdrawals come with a processing fee.
I tested VT Markets’ spreads on 31 July 2025 during the London and New York opens. The results are shown in the table below:
Instrument | Live Spread AM | Live Spread PM | Industry Average |
EURUSD | 1.4 pips | 1.2 pips | 1.08 pips |
GBPJPY | 1.6 pips | 2.5 pips | 2.44 pips |
Gold (XAUUSD) | 27 pips | 27 pips | 23 pips |
Crude Oil | 0.04 pips | 0.03 pips | 0.03 pips |
Apple | NA | 0.11 points | 0.33 points |
Tesla | NA | 0.18 points | 0.50 points |
Dow Jones 30 | 1.4 basis points | 1.1 basis points | 3.3 basis points |
Germany 40 | 0.6 basis points | 0.6 basis points | 2.4 basis points |
Bitcoin | $18.09 | $17.96 | $34 |
Broken down by asset class and compared to the industry average, VT Markets offers very low indices and crypto spreads, low share CFDs spreads, and average spreads on currency pairs and commodities.
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).
Instrument | Swap Long | Swap Short |
EURUSD | Charge of $9.19 | Credit of $4.75 |
GBPJPY | Credit of $6.74 | Charge of $25.28 |
Gold (XAUUSD) | Charge of $49.2 | Credit of $22.2 |
My test indicates that VT Markets offers average swaps compared to the industry benchmark. However, overnight fees change over time.
VT Markets does not impose an inactivity fee on dormant accounts. There is also no handling fee for deposits, but withdrawals, depending on the preferred payment method, may be subject to such a fee. Third-party processing fees may also apply.
VT Markets’ fees are better than the industry benchmark. Its spreads vary from very low to average, while the swaps sit in the middle range. The broker does not charge non-trading fees, except for a handling fee for withdrawals.
VT Markets offers the trusted MT4 and MT5 platforms for desktop, web, and mobile, plus TradingView for advanced charting. It has also developed two trading apps—an intuitive VT Markets App for trading on the go and VTrade for copy and social trading.
Platform/Tool | Suitable For |
MetaTrader 4 (Web, desktop, mobile) | Easy order execution, basic technical analysis, automated trading, trading on the go |
MetaTrader 5 (Web, desktop, mobile) | Easy order execution, basic technical analysis, automated trading, trading on the go |
TradingView | Advanced technical analysis, social trading |
VTrade | Copy Trading |
VT Markets App | Trading on the go, market research, account management |
I tested the desktop version of MetaTrader 5. The charts, orders, and various instruments are located in easy-to-find places, and even first-time traders can quickly learn their way around. My only gripe with the platform is that its charts feel rugged and outdated compared to newer, sleeker trading stations.
VT Markets’ MT5 platform is available on Windows and Mac and supports 52 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, and more.
MT5 features include:
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.
MetaTrader 5’s charts screen
I have broken down the available analytical tools and chart configurations below:
As shown above, MetaTrader’s 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.
MetaTrader 5 features three types of order execution: market, pending, and one-click trading, which supports immediate entries at the spot price.
I have broken down the available order types on the MetaTrader 5 platform below:
MetaTrader 5 is a decent 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 capabilities too rigid and less effective.
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.
TradingView is arguably the most well-rounded and user-friendly platform in the industry. Its advanced charting capabilities make for a seamless trading experience and allow for the easy examination of even the most minute price formations.
Price action is fluid and easily scalable, and users may choose from a massive selection of over 200 technical indicators, drawing tools, timeframes, and chart types to enhance their analyses.
TradingView is also packed with useful tools and features, such as the community tab, which delivers a steady flow of trading ideas and technical breakdowns.
VT Markets operates on a hybrid STP/ECN model without a dealing desk. Client orders are either routed to the broker’s pool of liquidity providers, where they are filled at the best available price, or they are matched (buying orders with selling orders and vice versa) using electronic communication networks.
VT Markets shines with its diverse lineup of over 1,000 tradable instruments, spanning forex, commodities, share CFDs, indices, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and bonds. This well-balanced mix of high-risk, high-reward assets and low-risk securities caters to a wide range of trading strategies.
Markets | Number | Industry Average | Types | Contract Type |
Forex Pairs | 78 | 30 – 75 | Major, Minor, and Exotic | Spot |
Commodities | 22 | 5 – 10 | Metals, Energies, and Agriculture | CFD and Futures |
Share CFDs | 730+ | 100 – 500 | Retail, Tech, Financial, Other | CFD |
Indices | 33 | 10 – 20 | US, EU, Asia, Other | CFD and Futures |
Cryptocurrencies | 59 | 10 – 20 | Major and Minor | CFD |
ETFs | 57 | 10 – 20 | Retail, Financial, Others | CFD |
Bonds | 7 | 0 – 5 | EU, UK, US | CFD |
VT Markets offers a higher number of currency pairs, commodities, share CFDs, indices, and cryptocurrencies than the industry average.
CFDs (Contracts for Difference) let you trade on the price movements of assets—like gold—without actually owning them.
For example, if you go long on gold and the price rises, you profit; if it falls, you lose—without ever buying real gold.
The biggest perk? You can jump in or out of the market quickly to take advantage of even the smallest price changes.
Currency Pairs | Commodities |
EURUSD | GBPJPY | EURCHF | AUDCAD | USDMXN | EURJPY | Gold | Crude Oil | Brent Oil | Silver | Cocoa | Coffee | Corn | Soybean |
Shares CFDs | Indices |
Apple | Tesla | JP Morgan Chase | Netflix | META | Wells Fargo | Amazon.com | Dow Jones 30 | Germany 40 | Australia 200 | Japan 225 | UK 100 | China 50 |
Cryptocurrencies | ETFs |
Bitcoin | Ethereum | Litecoin | Ripple | Dash | Cardano | Bitcoin Cash | Tron | ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF | United States Brent Oil Fund LP | Invesco QQQ Trust |
Bonds |
EURIBOR3M | USNote10Y | LongGilt | EUB30Y | EUB5Y | EUB10Y |
Two things really stood out to me about VT Markets’ instrument lineup. First is its impressive breadth — not just the sheer range of markets covered, but the balance between 59 cryptocurrencies and over 60 ETFs and bonds. This mix of high-risk, high-reward assets and more defensive securities allows traders to explore opportunities while keeping overall market exposure in check.
Second, I was pleasantly surprised to include some rare crypto crosses, like BTCXAU and BTCJPY. These niche instruments can be powerful tools for experienced traders looking to navigate volatile markets more precisely.
VT Markets provides multilingual 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. Agents respond quickly and have a good overall grasp of basic trading concepts and terms, though they seem to struggle with more complex questions. The website also contains a pretty exhaustive FAQ section for more general queries.
Live Chat | Phone | |
24/7 from the website | support@vtmarkets.com | +27101412968 |
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 tested VT Markets’ support on 31 July at around 14:48 CET via live chat. After navigating a chatbot and providing my name and email address, I was connected to an agent within seconds.
The agent was polite and provided helpful answers to some basic questions. However, they struggled when I asked about VT Markets’ copy trading fee and execution model, and their responses became noticeably slower at that point.
Payments to and from VT Markets can be processed via bank wire, credit and debit cards, local bank transfers, and a selection of e-wallets. Deposits with the broker are cost-free, though there is a handling fee for withdrawals. Third-party processing fees may also apply.
Deposit Method | Currency | Fee | Processing Time |
Bank Wire | EUR, USD, GBP | $0 | 3-5 business days |
Credit/Debit Card | EUR, USD, GBP | $0 | Instant |
Local Bank Transfer | EUR, VHD, THB | $0 | Instant |
Mobile Pay | EUR, USD, GBP | $0 | Instant |
Neteller | USD, EUR, GBP | $0 | Instant |
Skrill | USD, EUR, GBP | $0 | Instant |
Unionpay | CNY | $0 | Instant |
Fasapay | EUR, USD, GBP | $0 | Instant |
Deposit Method | Currency | Fee | Processing Time |
Bank Wire | EUR, USD, GBP | $0* | 3-7 business days |
Credit/Debit Card | EUR, USD, GBP | $0 | Up to 24 hours |
Local Bank Transfer | EUR, VHD, THB | $0 | Up to 24 hours |
Mobile Pay | EUR, USD, GBP | $0 | Up to 24 hours |
Neteller | USD, EUR, GBP | 2% | Up to 24 hours |
Skrill | USD, EUR, GBP | 1% | Up to 24 hours |
Unionpay | CNY | $0 | Up to 24 hours |
Fasapay | EUR, USD, GBP | 0.5% | Up to 24 hours |
*The first withdrawal each month is free, then a fixed $20 fee will apply for each subsequent withdrawal.
To create an account with VT Markets, follow these simple steps:
Account Type | Standard STP | Raw ECN | Cent Standard | Cent Raw |
Spread From | 1.2 pips | 0.0 pips | 1.1 pips | 0.0 pips |
Commission* | $0 | $6 | $0 | $6 |
Base Currencies | EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD | EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD | USDC | USDC |
Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | $50 | $50 |
Minimum Traded Volume | 0.01 lot | 0.01 lot | 0.01 lot | 0.01 lot |
Standard Contract Size | 100,000 units | 100,000 units | 10,000 units | 10,000 units |
Margin Call | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
Stop Out | 20% | 50% | 20% | 50% |
Swap Free Account | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Demo Account | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*Round-turn per one full contract
VT Markets’ accounts follow fairly standard industry pricing models. The Standard STP account is spread-based, with spreads starting from 1.2 pips, while the Raw ECN account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus commission.
Both accounts have a low minimum deposit of just $100. I also like that they can be converted into Cent accounts, allowing algo traders to test the performance of their algorithms in real-world trading.
VT Markets offers a demo account that lets traders explore the broker’s available platforms and test their strategies in a risk-free environment. Since markets are always changing, it’s important to keep your skills sharp without risking real money. You can open a demo account before or alongside your live CFD account.
VT Markets provides Islamic accounts for swap-free trading under Shariah Law. Please contact the broker for additional information.
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.
In the table below, I have listed the maximum retail leverage available with VT Markets (Pty) Ltd for instruments from different asset classes:
Asset | Maximum Leverage |
Currency Pairs | 1:1000 |
Metals | 1:20 |
Energies | 1:20 |
Agriculture | 1:20 |
Share CFDs | 1:33 |
Indices | 1:500 |
Cryptocurrencies | 1:20 |
ETFs | 1:33 |
Bonds | 1:100 |
VT Markets does not accept as clients residents of the US, North Korea, or any other jurisdiction where trading with leveraged products is prohibited by law.
I have broken down the most important types of market research content with VT Markets below:
I appreciated VT Markets’ research content for its scope and insightfulness. Traders are given a variety of research tools, including an economic calendar, market breakdowns, and featured trading ideas, benefiting the needs of day traders and swing traders alike.
VT Markets provides a decent flow of webinars and educational videos, covering a wide variety of trading topics. However, the broker lacks written content like articles, guides, and e-books.
I found over 20 educational videos and past webinars on the broker’s YouTube channel. VT Markets tends to focus on broader topics, such as Why Traders Should Embrace Market Swings, but also dives into more advanced areas like building a trading plan and understanding the role of trading psychology. However, it falls short on beginner-friendly basics—there’s little content on essentials like reading price action or using stop-loss orders.
VT Markets comes across as a well-rounded and highly competitive broker that can hold its own against the best in the industry. It delivers an impressive package, with a wider range of instruments than most competitors, especially in forex, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
The razor-sharp spreads on indices, stock CFDs, and Bitcoin are a highlight. The platform lineup — MT4, MT5, TradingView, and proprietary apps — covers the needs of casual traders, strategy-driven swing traders, and even algorithmic and copy traders. Combined with in-depth research from Trading Central and the broker’s own market insights, the offering feels robust and well thought out.
That said, there are areas where VT Markets could improve. Its educational resources lack the depth and variety needed for complete beginner support, and certain withdrawal methods come with extra fees. While the broker is not regulated by a top-tier authority, it still maintains strong client protection measures.
In the end, VT Markets is a great fit for active traders looking for low spreads on select markets, a deep instrument pool, and a choice of advanced platforms. It may not be the first pick for someone seeking a full beginner-friendly learning hub, but for traders who already have some experience and want a broker that can support a wide range of strategies, it’s an excellent option.
Headquarters Country | Australia |
Foundation Year | 2015 |
Regulations | FSCM (Mauritius), SCA (United Arab Emirates), FSCA (South Africa) |
Publicly Traded | No |
Number Of Employees | 355 |
Trading Desk Type | ECN, STP, No dealing desk |
Trading Platforms | MT5, MT4, VT Markets app, TradingView |
Restricted Countries | North Korea, United States |
Supported Languages | English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Turkish, Polish |
Min Deposit | $100 |
Max Leverage | 1:1000 (FSCM), 1:1000 (SCA), 1:1000 (FSCA) |
Deposit Options | Wire Transfer, Neteller, FasaPay, Skrill, Credit Card, Debit Card, Union Pay, Local Transfer |
Withdrawal Options | Wire Transfer, Neteller, FasaPay, Skrill, Credit Card, Union Pay, Debit Card, Local Transfer |
Time to Withdrawal | 3 |
Time to Open an Account | 1 |
Crypto | Ethereum, Bitcoin, Cardano, Ripple, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin |
Products | Currencies, Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Indices, Commodities, Futures |
Demo Account | Yes |
OCO Orders | No |
Offers Hedging | Yes |
Automated Trading | Yes |
API Trading | No |
Guaranteed Stop Loss | Yes |
Guaranteed Limit Orders | Yes |
Guaranteed Fills / Liquidity | Yes |
Economic calendar | Yes |
Trading From Chart | Yes |
One-Click Trading | Yes |
Expert Advisor | Yes |
Social Trading | Yes |
Autochartist | No |
Trading Signals | Yes |
Platform Languages | Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, Serbian, Arabic, Czech, Slovak, Swedish, Turkish, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Danish, Hungarian, English, French, Lithuanian, Farsi, Spanish, Russian, German, Bulgarian, Bahasa, Romanian, Japanese, Estonian, Greek, Croatian, Latvian, Hebrew, Polish, Indonesian, Slovenian |
24 Hours Support | Yes |
Support During Weekends | No |
Live Chat | Yes |
Daily Market Commentary | Yes |
News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes |
Webinars | Yes |
Deposit Fee | No |
Withdrawal Fee | No |
Inactivity Fee | No |
Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.
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