Both VT Markets and EC Markets hold genuine ASIC-linked licensing, but they take very different approaches to how a trader accesses their lowest-cost account tier. This article compares the two on that specific structural difference and beyond.
Licensing: EC Markets holds two Tier-1 entities, VT Markets one
VT Markets holds a genuine ASIC entity alongside offshore entities, per our overview. EC Markets holds both FCA and ASIC — a broader dual-Tier-1 structure, per its own overview. On pure licensing breadth, EC Markets has an edge, though both onboard most international clients under offshore terms by default.
Premium-tier access: earned versus purchased
VT Markets’ Pro ECN account can’t be bought with a deposit at all — it requires meeting a $10,000 balance OR $500,000 trading-volume threshold, covered in detail in our Pro ECN requirements article. EC Markets’ PRO account, by contrast, is a pure $5,000 deposit gate with no documented cost advantage over its $10 ECN account, per our pricing-trap article. VT Markets’ model is more structurally interesting, even though it demands more planning to access.
Entry-level cost structure
EC Markets’ ECN account ($10 minimum, $3/lot commission) is cheaper to enter than VT Markets’ Raw ECN ($100 minimum, $6/lot commission). For a trader prioritizing lowest possible entry cost, EC Markets has the edge at the entry tier.
Which one fits which trader?
A trader with real trading activity but limited idle capital may prefer VT Markets’ earned-access model for reaching a genuinely lower commission tier over time. A trader who wants the cheapest possible entry point without navigating a qualification system should lean toward EC Markets’ ECN account.
Platform and leverage-by-asset structure
Both brokers support MT4 and MT5, though VT Markets’ Pro ECN is MT5-only. Both also apply different leverage caps by asset class (stocks and crypto capped lower than standard forex) — a common industry practice at both brokers rather than a point of difference.
A practical way to decide instead of guessing
Given the different mechanisms involved — EC Markets’ straightforward deposit tiers versus VT Markets’ qualification system — the most useful test is opening EC Markets’ ECN account immediately (low cost) while tracking your own trading volume toward VT Markets’ Pro ECN threshold if that structure appeals to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is VT Markets’ qualification system harder to use than a simple deposit? It requires more planning, covered in our VT Markets case study, but is achievable with modest capital once you understand notional value versus real margin.
Should you avoid EC Markets’ PRO account entirely? Unless EC Markets confirms a specific documented benefit in writing, yes — ECN delivers the same spread for a fraction of the deposit.
Can both accounts be opened in parallel to compare? Yes, and given EC Markets’ $10 entry cost, testing it alongside VT Markets’ Raw ECN is inexpensive.
Interested in VT Markets‘ earned-access Pro ECN system? Start with Raw ECN to build toward it.
VT Markets currently has a welcome offer for new accounts for a limited time — terms may change, check directly when you register.
Forex and CFD trading involves leverage and carries a high risk of capital loss regardless of which broker you choose. This is not investment advice. Learn more at FXM680’s Forex Academy.