CMC Markets
CMC Markets is a publicly listed, globally regulated financial services group founded in 1989 and headquartered in London. Listed on the London Stock Exchange (CMCX), it offers 12,000+ instruments across 330+ forex pairs, 10,000+ share CFDs, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrency CFDs via its award-winning proprietary Next Generation platform and MetaTrader 4. Regulated by the FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, DFSA, and CIRO, CMC Markets is one of the most widely regulated CFD and spread betting brokers globally.
Editor Rating
Calculated from 7+ safety & service metrics
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links. This does not affect our ratings or reviews.
—
0.7
pips1:30
12000+
Pros
- Publicly listed on LSE (CMCX) — highest level of financial transparency of any broker here
- Award-winning Next Generation platform with integrated Reuters news and Autochartist pattern recognition
- 12,000+ instruments — one of the widest selections of any retail CFD broker
- No minimum deposit across UK, Australian, and Singaporean accounts
- Regulated by FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and BaFin (Germany) — three Tier 1 regulators
Cons
- Share CFDs carry commission (0.10% per side, min £9 UK; 2¢/share min $10 US)
- 0.5% currency conversion fee on cross-currency instrument trading
- Inactivity fee of £10/month after 12 months of no activity
- No real stock or ETF ownership — CFD and spread bet positions only
- MT4 support only (no MT5) — limited compared to full-service MT5 brokers
Who is it for?
A top-tier publicly listed broker combining one of the industry's best proprietary platforms with 12,000+ instruments, Reuters news, and professional research tools. Suited to all experience levels.
Is CMC Markets Safe?
Regulator
FCA
License Holder
CMC Markets UK plc
Investor Protection: Up to £85,000
Financial Services Compensation Scheme — covers eligible retail clients if the broker fails.
Safety Score
High ConfidenceEditorial Summary
Client Fund Protection
Protection Snapshot
Limitations
Regulatory Oversight
Regulatory Coverage
Editorial Summary
—
1989
Company Facts
Headquarters
United Kingdom
Founded
1989
Publicly Listed
Yes
Bank-backed
No
License Summary
| Regulator | Legal Entity | License |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | CMC Markets UK plc | Authorized 173730 |
| BaFin | CMC Markets Germany GmbH | Authorized 154814 |
| ASIC | CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd | Authorized 238054 |
| MAS | CMC Markets Singapore Pte Ltd | Authorized CMS100907-2 |
| DFSA | CMC Markets Middle East Limited | Authorized F002740 |
| CIRO | CMC Markets Canada Inc | Authorized — |
CMC Markets Fees and Spreads
Compare brokersCosts at a glance
Competitive forex spreads from 0.7 pips with no commission on forex or indices. Share CFDs charged at 0.10% per side (min £9 UK / $10 US). Inactivity fee of £10/month after 12 months. Currency conversion fee of 0.5% applies.
EUR/USD typical spread
0.7 pips
Crypto costs
Average
Commissions
Disclosed
Varies by instrument
Non-trading fees
Low
Real trading costs may vary depending on liquidity, volatility, and account structure.
Fee breakdown
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading | |
| Spreads | Forex and index CFDs: spread-only from 0.7 pips on EUR/USD (typical, variable). No commission on forex, indices, or commodity CFDs. Share CFDs: commission-based at 0.10% per side with minimums — UK shares min £9, US shares 2¢/share min $10, Australian shares min A$7. |
| Commissions | Zero commission on forex, indices, treasuries, and commodity CFDs. Share CFDs: 0.10% per side with market-specific minimums. UK equities: min £9 per side. US equities: 2 cents/share, min $10 per side. Australian equities: min A$7 per side. |
| Execution notes | Market maker execution with proprietary price improvement technology. CMC applies dynamic hedging to manage risk. Direct Market Access (DMA) available for share CFDs on request via CMC Connect (institutional API). |
| Non-trading | |
| Withdrawal fees | CMC Markets does not charge a withdrawal fee for standard bank transfers or debit card withdrawals. No third-party processing fees disclosed by CMC. |
| Inactivity fee | £10 per month deducted after 12 consecutive months of no login or trading activity. Fee is waived if the account balance reaches zero. CMC does not close accounts due to inactivity alone. |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% currency conversion fee applies when trading instruments denominated in a currency different from the account's base currency. This is charged as a spread mark-up on the conversion rate. |
How we assess fees
EUR/USD spread of 0.7 pips verified from CMC Markets' published typical spread schedule for standard CFD accounts. Share CFD commission rates verified from CMC's official charges and commission pages. Inactivity fee and currency conversion fee verified from CMC's terms and conditions and charges overview. No minimum deposit confirmed from CMC's account opening pages across UK, AU, and SG.
Fees & Cost Assessment
Is this broker cheap, average, or expensive? Our editorial assessment normalizes costs across account types to give you a clear answer.
Cost Score
High ConfidenceEditorial Summary
Trading Cost Implications
Cost Snapshot
Editorial Explanation
Limitations
Non-Trading Cost Considerations
Cost Snapshot
Editorial Explanation
Limitations
CMC Markets
Ready to get started?
CMC Markets Platforms and Tools
Available Platforms
Platform Quality Assessment
Proprietary Web Trader
Next Generation is widely regarded as one of the best proprietary trading platforms in the retail CFD space. Integrated Reuters newswire, Autochartist pattern recognition with 120+ chart patterns, client sentiment indicator, and 115+ technical indicators set it apart from generic platform offerings. The customisable workspace, risk management module (including guaranteed stops and trailing stops), and economic calendar create a research-to-execution workflow that competes with professional terminal interfaces.
Limitations
No native algorithmic trading or EA support within Next Generation (automation requires MT4 or CMC Connect API). Mobile version of Next Generation is excellent but misses some advanced desktop charting features.
Quality Snapshot
MetaTrader 4
CMC Markets offers a solid MT4 integration for clients who prefer the industry-standard platform for automated trading and custom indicator development. However, it is a secondary platform — the full range of CMC's research tools and instruments is only available through Next Generation.
Limitations
MT4 on CMC provides a smaller instrument range than Next Generation. Charting is dated by modern standards. No access to Reuters news or Autochartist via MT4. No MT5 available at CMC.
Quality Snapshot
Proprietary Mobile App
CMC Markets' mobile app is a native implementation of Next Generation for iOS and Android. It supports full trading capability including charting, economic calendar, client sentiment, and watchlists. Rated highly by users for intuitive design and speed.
Limitations
Full charting depth of desktop Next Generation is reduced on mobile. Some order types not available. No EA/automation support.
Quality Snapshot
Markets & Instruments
12000+ instruments available across all markets
How to Deposit and Withdraw at CMC Markets
Payment methods
| Method | Available | Typical deposit time |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | 1–3 business days | |
| Credit/Debit Card | — | |
| PayPal | — | |
| Skrill | — | |
| Neteller | — | |
| Wise | — | |
| Revolut | — | |
| Crypto | — |
Withdrawal processing
Actual processing times may vary by payment method and jurisdiction.
Customer support
Live Chat
AvailablePhone
AvailableCallback
Not availableAvailability & languages
Support hours
24/5
Languages
English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Polish, Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), Arabic
CMC Markets Account Types
| Account | Execution | Min Deposit | Spread from | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFD Account | Market | $0 | 0.7 | No commission on forex/indices/commodities; 0.10% min £9 on UK share CFDs |
| Spread Bet Account | Market | $0 | 0.7 | No commission; spread-only pricing. UK CGT-exempt and Stamp Duty-exempt. |
| Professional Account | Market | $0 | 0.7 | No commission on forex/indices; same share CFD structure. Higher leverage access. |
CFD Account
Execution
Market
Min Deposit
$0
Spread from
0.7
Commission
No commission on forex/indices/commodities; 0.10% min £9 on UK share CFDs
Instruments: All 12,000+ instruments
Spread Bet Account
Execution
Market
Min Deposit
$0
Spread from
0.7
Commission
No commission; spread-only pricing. UK CGT-exempt and Stamp Duty-exempt.
Instruments: Most instruments; available to UK residents only
Professional Account
Execution
Market
Min Deposit
$0
Spread from
0.7
Commission
No commission on forex/indices; same share CFD structure. Higher leverage access.
Instruments: All instruments; leverage up to 1:500 forex
Trading conditions may vary based on account selection and regulatory jurisdiction.
Education & Research
Education
CMC Markets offers a well-rounded educational suite through its online learning portal. CMC TV provides broadcast-style daily video analysis from in-house market experts and is available on the platform and via YouTube. Written guides cover a wide range from beginner concepts to advanced technical analysis strategies. Regular live webinars run throughout the trading week.
Limitations
Educational content is oriented toward promoting CMC's products and instruments. Advanced algorithmic trading or quantitative strategy education is absent. Content depth is moderate compared to dedicated education-first brokers like IBKR Campus.
Quality Snapshot
Research & Market Insights
CMC Markets' research offering stands out through three key integrations: Reuters live newswire directly inside Next Generation, Autochartist-powered automated chart pattern recognition across all instruments, and proprietary client sentiment data. The combination of real-time news, automated technical signals, and an economic calendar places CMC's research well above most retail CFD brokers.
Limitations
Research tools are only fully accessible within the Next Generation platform — MT4 users receive none of them. No third-party fundamental research (e.g. Morningstar, Zacks) is provided. Research is trading-focused rather than investment-analysis-focused.
Quality Snapshot
CMC Markets Review
Editor Rating Breakdown
Verdict
Great
CMC Markets
Ready to get started?
Frequently Asked Questions
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links. This does not affect our ratings or reviews.
—
0.7
pips1:30
12000+
Pros
- Publicly listed on LSE (CMCX) — highest level of financial transparency of any broker here
- Award-winning Next Generation platform with integrated Reuters news and Autochartist pattern recognition
- 12,000+ instruments — one of the widest selections of any retail CFD broker
- No minimum deposit across UK, Australian, and Singaporean accounts
- Regulated by FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and BaFin (Germany) — three Tier 1 regulators
Cons
- Share CFDs carry commission (0.10% per side, min £9 UK; 2¢/share min $10 US)
- 0.5% currency conversion fee on cross-currency instrument trading
- Inactivity fee of £10/month after 12 months of no activity
- No real stock or ETF ownership — CFD and spread bet positions only
- MT4 support only (no MT5) — limited compared to full-service MT5 brokers
Who is it for?
A top-tier publicly listed broker combining one of the industry's best proprietary platforms with 12,000+ instruments, Reuters news, and professional research tools. Suited to all experience levels.
Is CMC Markets Safe?
Regulator
FCA
License Holder
CMC Markets UK plc
Investor Protection: Up to £85,000
Financial Services Compensation Scheme — covers eligible retail clients if the broker fails.
Safety Score
High ConfidenceEditorial Summary
Client Fund Protection
Protection Snapshot
Limitations
Regulatory Oversight
Regulatory Coverage
Editorial Summary
—
1989
Company Facts
Headquarters
United Kingdom
Founded
1989
Publicly Listed
Yes
Bank-backed
No
License Summary
| Regulator | Legal Entity | License |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | CMC Markets UK plc | Authorized 173730 |
| BaFin | CMC Markets Germany GmbH | Authorized 154814 |
| ASIC | CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd | Authorized 238054 |
| MAS | CMC Markets Singapore Pte Ltd | Authorized CMS100907-2 |
| DFSA | CMC Markets Middle East Limited | Authorized F002740 |
| CIRO | CMC Markets Canada Inc | Authorized — |
CMC Markets Fees and Spreads
Compare brokersCosts at a glance
Competitive forex spreads from 0.7 pips with no commission on forex or indices. Share CFDs charged at 0.10% per side (min £9 UK / $10 US). Inactivity fee of £10/month after 12 months. Currency conversion fee of 0.5% applies.
EUR/USD typical spread
0.7 pips
Crypto costs
Average
Commissions
Disclosed
Varies by instrument
Non-trading fees
Low
Real trading costs may vary depending on liquidity, volatility, and account structure.
Fee breakdown
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading | |
| Spreads | Forex and index CFDs: spread-only from 0.7 pips on EUR/USD (typical, variable). No commission on forex, indices, or commodity CFDs. Share CFDs: commission-based at 0.10% per side with minimums — UK shares min £9, US shares 2¢/share min $10, Australian shares min A$7. |
| Commissions | Zero commission on forex, indices, treasuries, and commodity CFDs. Share CFDs: 0.10% per side with market-specific minimums. UK equities: min £9 per side. US equities: 2 cents/share, min $10 per side. Australian equities: min A$7 per side. |
| Execution notes | Market maker execution with proprietary price improvement technology. CMC applies dynamic hedging to manage risk. Direct Market Access (DMA) available for share CFDs on request via CMC Connect (institutional API). |
| Non-trading | |
| Withdrawal fees | CMC Markets does not charge a withdrawal fee for standard bank transfers or debit card withdrawals. No third-party processing fees disclosed by CMC. |
| Inactivity fee | £10 per month deducted after 12 consecutive months of no login or trading activity. Fee is waived if the account balance reaches zero. CMC does not close accounts due to inactivity alone. |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% currency conversion fee applies when trading instruments denominated in a currency different from the account's base currency. This is charged as a spread mark-up on the conversion rate. |
How we assess fees
EUR/USD spread of 0.7 pips verified from CMC Markets' published typical spread schedule for standard CFD accounts. Share CFD commission rates verified from CMC's official charges and commission pages. Inactivity fee and currency conversion fee verified from CMC's terms and conditions and charges overview. No minimum deposit confirmed from CMC's account opening pages across UK, AU, and SG.
Fees & Cost Assessment
Is this broker cheap, average, or expensive? Our editorial assessment normalizes costs across account types to give you a clear answer.
Cost Score
High ConfidenceEditorial Summary
Trading Cost Implications
Cost Snapshot
Editorial Explanation
Limitations
Non-Trading Cost Considerations
Cost Snapshot
Editorial Explanation
Limitations
CMC Markets
Ready to get started?
CMC Markets Platforms and Tools
Available Platforms
Platform Quality Assessment
Proprietary Web Trader
Next Generation is widely regarded as one of the best proprietary trading platforms in the retail CFD space. Integrated Reuters newswire, Autochartist pattern recognition with 120+ chart patterns, client sentiment indicator, and 115+ technical indicators set it apart from generic platform offerings. The customisable workspace, risk management module (including guaranteed stops and trailing stops), and economic calendar create a research-to-execution workflow that competes with professional terminal interfaces.
Limitations
No native algorithmic trading or EA support within Next Generation (automation requires MT4 or CMC Connect API). Mobile version of Next Generation is excellent but misses some advanced desktop charting features.
Quality Snapshot
MetaTrader 4
CMC Markets offers a solid MT4 integration for clients who prefer the industry-standard platform for automated trading and custom indicator development. However, it is a secondary platform — the full range of CMC's research tools and instruments is only available through Next Generation.
Limitations
MT4 on CMC provides a smaller instrument range than Next Generation. Charting is dated by modern standards. No access to Reuters news or Autochartist via MT4. No MT5 available at CMC.
Quality Snapshot
Proprietary Mobile App
CMC Markets' mobile app is a native implementation of Next Generation for iOS and Android. It supports full trading capability including charting, economic calendar, client sentiment, and watchlists. Rated highly by users for intuitive design and speed.
Limitations
Full charting depth of desktop Next Generation is reduced on mobile. Some order types not available. No EA/automation support.
Quality Snapshot
Markets & Instruments
12000+ instruments available across all markets
How to Deposit and Withdraw at CMC Markets
Payment methods
| Method | Available | Typical deposit time |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | 1–3 business days | |
| Credit/Debit Card | — | |
| PayPal | — | |
| Skrill | — | |
| Neteller | — | |
| Wise | — | |
| Revolut | — | |
| Crypto | — |
Withdrawal processing
Actual processing times may vary by payment method and jurisdiction.
Customer support
Live Chat
AvailablePhone
AvailableCallback
Not availableAvailability & languages
Support hours
24/5
Languages
English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Polish, Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), Arabic
CMC Markets Account Types
| Account | Execution | Min Deposit | Spread from | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFD Account | Market | $0 | 0.7 | No commission on forex/indices/commodities; 0.10% min £9 on UK share CFDs |
| Spread Bet Account | Market | $0 | 0.7 | No commission; spread-only pricing. UK CGT-exempt and Stamp Duty-exempt. |
| Professional Account | Market | $0 | 0.7 | No commission on forex/indices; same share CFD structure. Higher leverage access. |
CFD Account
Execution
Market
Min Deposit
$0
Spread from
0.7
Commission
No commission on forex/indices/commodities; 0.10% min £9 on UK share CFDs
Instruments: All 12,000+ instruments
Spread Bet Account
Execution
Market
Min Deposit
$0
Spread from
0.7
Commission
No commission; spread-only pricing. UK CGT-exempt and Stamp Duty-exempt.
Instruments: Most instruments; available to UK residents only
Professional Account
Execution
Market
Min Deposit
$0
Spread from
0.7
Commission
No commission on forex/indices; same share CFD structure. Higher leverage access.
Instruments: All instruments; leverage up to 1:500 forex
Trading conditions may vary based on account selection and regulatory jurisdiction.
Education & Research
Education
CMC Markets offers a well-rounded educational suite through its online learning portal. CMC TV provides broadcast-style daily video analysis from in-house market experts and is available on the platform and via YouTube. Written guides cover a wide range from beginner concepts to advanced technical analysis strategies. Regular live webinars run throughout the trading week.
Limitations
Educational content is oriented toward promoting CMC's products and instruments. Advanced algorithmic trading or quantitative strategy education is absent. Content depth is moderate compared to dedicated education-first brokers like IBKR Campus.
Quality Snapshot
Research & Market Insights
CMC Markets' research offering stands out through three key integrations: Reuters live newswire directly inside Next Generation, Autochartist-powered automated chart pattern recognition across all instruments, and proprietary client sentiment data. The combination of real-time news, automated technical signals, and an economic calendar places CMC's research well above most retail CFD brokers.
Limitations
Research tools are only fully accessible within the Next Generation platform — MT4 users receive none of them. No third-party fundamental research (e.g. Morningstar, Zacks) is provided. Research is trading-focused rather than investment-analysis-focused.
Quality Snapshot
CMC Markets Review
Editor Rating Breakdown
Verdict
Great
CMC Markets
Ready to get started?
Frequently Asked Questions
Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money.