Volatility 80 vs Volatility 75: Which Synthetic Index Should You Trade?
Vol 75 and Vol 80 are the two most widely traded synthetic volatility indices. The difference seems small — 5 percentage points of algorithmic volatility — but it has practical consequences for stop loss sizing, average daily range, and which type of trader each instrument suits. This guide gives you the honest comparison.
Quick Summary
- Vol 80: slightly higher volatility tier, larger average pip movements
- Vol 75: lower volatility tier, somewhat smaller average candle sizes
- Both trade 24/7, both use cryptographic RNG, both unaffected by news
- Technical analysis applies equally to both
- Vol 80 needs wider stop losses than Vol 75 at the same timeframe
- Beginners: start with Vol 75 before moving to Vol 80
- Both accessible from the same Headway account via MT5
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Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Volatility 75 (V75) | Volatility 80 (V80) |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithmic volatility | ~75% | ~80% |
| Average daily range | Smaller | Larger |
| Recommended SL width | Slightly narrower OK | Wider required |
| Trading hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Affected by news | No | No |
| Technical analysis | Fully applicable | Fully applicable |
| Weekend gaps | None | None |
| Price driver | Cryptographic RNG | Cryptographic RNG |
| Best for | Beginners, tighter risk | Intermediate traders, larger targets |
Who Should Choose Vol 75
🔵 Volatility 75 Suits:
- New synthetic index traders
- Traders with smaller accounts ($50–$200)
- Those who want tighter stop losses
- Traders learning position sizing on synthetics
- Anyone who finds Vol 80 too fast to manage
🟣 Volatility 80 Suits:
- Traders already comfortable with V75
- Those who want larger average pip targets
- Traders accepting wider stop losses
- Scalpers who want more movement per tick
- Swing traders targeting bigger daily ranges
Price Action Behavior — Same or Different?
Both Vol 75 and Vol 80 respond to technical analysis in the same general way — support/resistance levels hold, trends form and break, candlestick patterns are meaningful. The RNG parameters that drive the two instruments are calibrated differently (80% vs 75% volatility), but the technical mechanics work the same way.
The key behavioral difference is amplitude: Vol 80 produces larger candles on average. On an M15 chart, a strong trending candle on Vol 80 will tend to cover more pips than the equivalent candle on Vol 75 in the same timeframe. This is useful (more profit potential per trade) but also more punishing (more damage from trades that go against you).
Can You Trade Both at the Same Time?
Yes — both instruments are available from the same Headway MT5 account. Many experienced synthetic index traders maintain positions in both simultaneously, using each for different strategies or to diversify their algorithmic exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions — Vol 80 vs Vol 75
Free · V75 and Vol 80 both accessible via MT5 · 24/7
