Understanding what a CFD broker actually charges is harder than it looks, since costs are split across spreads, commissions and overnight financing rather than a single fee line. This guide breaks down each cost on Vantage and how to estimate your real trading cost before you place a trade.
The three costs that make up your total trading cost
| Cost | What it is | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | The gap between the buy and sell price | Every trade, on every account type |
| Commission | A separate per-lot charge | Raw ECN and Pro ECN accounts only |
| Overnight financing (swap) | A charge or credit for holding a position past the daily cutoff | Positions held overnight |
Spreads and commission by account type
| Account | Spreads from | Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Standard STP | 1.0 pips | None (built into spread) |
| Raw ECN | 0.0 pips | $3 per lot per side ($6 round turn) |
| Pro ECN | Raw-style spreads | Lower commission, higher $10,000 minimum deposit |
How to estimate your real cost per trade
On a Raw ECN account, your all-in cost roughly equals the live spread at the moment you trade, plus the $6 round-turn commission per standard lot. A trade with a 0.2-pip spread and the standard commission costs the equivalent of roughly 0.8 pips all-in on a standard lot — this varies by instrument and market conditions, so treat it as a way to estimate, not a fixed number.
Overnight financing (swap)
If you hold a leveraged position open past the broker’s daily cutoff, you pay or receive a financing charge that reflects the interest-rate differential between the two currencies (for forex) or the cost of carrying a leveraged position (for indices and commodities). This charge applies to most CFD and forex brokers, not uniquely to Vantage, and rates vary by instrument and by the current interest-rate environment. Day traders who close all positions before the cutoff avoid this cost entirely.
Fees that are not always obvious
- Currency conversion fees: if you deposit, withdraw or trade in a currency different from your account base currency, your bank or card provider may charge a conversion fee — this is generally not a Vantage fee
- Inactivity fees: some brokers charge for dormant accounts; check Vantage’s current terms if you plan to pause trading for an extended period
- Bank wire fees: international wire transfers can carry a bank-side fee of roughly $20, charged by your bank rather than Vantage
How to compare costs across account types before choosing
- Estimate your typical trade size and holding period (day trade vs. multi-day)
- If you trade frequently and hold positions briefly, prioritize the tightest all-in spread-plus-commission cost, usually Raw ECN
- If you trade infrequently and prefer simplicity, a commission-free Standard account may suit you better despite the wider spread
- If you hold positions overnight regularly, factor in financing costs, not just the spread and commission
Key takeaways
- Total trading cost on Vantage combines spread, commission (Raw/Pro accounts only) and overnight financing.
- Raw ECN’s $3-per-side commission plus tighter spreads usually costs less than Standard for active traders, despite the separate commission line.
- Currency conversion and bank wire fees typically come from your bank or card provider, not from Vantage directly.
Ready to open an account? Open a Vantage account. This is an affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra charge from us. CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage; most retail accounts lose money.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Trading and investing involve risk, including the loss of your capital. Read our Risk Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure.
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