Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs ActivTrades, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a well-established online broker with a solid reputation reflected in its perfect Trust Score of 99, making it highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. As a publicly traded company, CMC Markets holds 6 Tier-1 licenses, known for being highly reliable. Additionally, it has 1 Tier-2 license, which further strengthens its credibility among traders. Despite not being a bank, CMC Markets offers a secure platform backed by stringent regulatory approvals.
In comparison, ActivTrades, established in 2001, is a privately held broker with a Trust Score of 81, placing it in the trusted category. It holds 2 Tier-1 licenses, offering a reliable level of trustworthiness, and 1 Tier-2 license. Like CMC Markets, ActivTrades is not a bank, but it provides a dependable trading environment for its users. While newer and not publicly listed, ActivTrades still ensures a secure trading experience through its regulatory framework.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing CMC Markets and ActivTrades in terms of commissions and fees, CMC Markets stands out for its consistently low spreads, earning it a #1 ranking in the Commissions and Fees category in our 2025 Annual Awards. With an impressive 5-star rating, CMC Markets offers competitive average spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD as of August 2023. The broker further enhances trading cost efficiency with its Price Plus Scheme, offering discounts based on trading volume. CMC Markets' FX Active pricing includes a commission of $2.50 per side, resulting in a 0.5 pip all-in cost on major currency pairs like the EUR/USD, bolstering its reputation as a pricing leader.
On the other hand, ActivTrades, with a 4-star rating, holds the 28th position out of 63 brokers in the same category. While its spreads are slightly better than the industry average, they don't match the lowest fee offerings in the market. ActivTrades offers various account types, including Professional and Islamic accounts, but lacks a specific active trader pricing plan. Spreads remain consistent across account types, with the average spread for the EUR/USD reported at 0.98 pips in May 2024. While ActivTrades provides detailed target spreads, actual figures may vary during trading sessions, especially during the rollover period.
In conclusion, CMC Markets excels in providing low-cost pricing suitable for all traders, maintaining spreads close to their advertised minimums and offering tailored discounts through its active trader program. Conversely, ActivTrades, while competitive, lacks specialized options for high-volume traders, showing wider spreads compared to the industry-leading brokers. This comparison places CMC Markets as the preferred choice for cost-conscious traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When evaluating the range of investments offered by online brokers CMC Markets and ActivTrades, there are some distinct differences to note. CMC Markets stands out with an impressive offering of 12,029 tradeable symbols, in contrast to ActivTrades' 1,267. For investors keen on forex trading, CMC Markets provides 141 tradeable forex pairs compared to the 49 available through ActivTrades. Both brokers allow forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and they also share capabilities in offering cryptocurrency derivatives, but not actual cryptocurrencies. Notably, CMC Markets goes beyond with options to purchase actual exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, like Apple shares, a service not provided by ActivTrades.
A look at international exchange options shows both brokers offering opportunities to buy shares like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, both platforms support copy trading for investors interested in that feature. Reflecting their extensive range of investments, CMC Markets earns a five-star rating and ranks 9th out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category on ForexBrokers.com, whereas ActivTrades holds a four-star rating and is ranked 31st. This positions CMC Markets as a slightly more versatile option for those seeking a wider selection of assets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both CMC Markets and ActivTrades provide a comprehensive suite to accommodate traders of all levels. Each broker offers simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing beginners to practice and professionals to refine their strategies without risk. Both companies have developed proprietary platforms in-house, ensuring tailored functionality for user convenience. They also offer Windows-based desktop platforms and browser-based interfaces, providing flexibility in how traders monitor and execute trades. Adding to their versatility, both brokers support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, making them well-equipped to handle everything from basic trades to complex analyses. Additionally, copy trading options are available on both platforms, which appeals to investors looking to mirror successful strategies. However, neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, which could narrow options for those specifically seeking these platforms.
In terms of technical capabilities, there are some differences that set CMC Markets apart from ActivTrades. CMC Markets offers 36 drawing tools for charting, more than doubling the 15 provided by ActivTrades, which could be crucial for traders who rely heavily on technical analysis. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts and offer 11 columns for watch lists, giving users streamlined ways to manage their portfolios. CMC Markets shines when it comes to ratings, achieving a 5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, alongside a high ranking of #4 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades, while commendable with a 4-star rating, sits at #30 in the same ranking, indicating a notable difference in user satisfaction and perceived quality of trading tools. Thus, those prioritizing advanced tools and higher industry ratings might find CMC Markets the more attractive choice.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and ActivTrades both provide compelling mobile trading experiences with apps available for iPhone and Android. Each app supports essential features like price alerts for stock and forex, the ability to draw trendlines, and the flexibility of viewing charts across multiple time frames. Both platforms also enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, although CMC Markets goes a step further by offering watchlist symbol syncing. This feature keeps watchlists updated seamlessly across devices, while ActivTrades doesn't currently support this functionality.
When it comes to technical studies, ActivTrades edges out slightly with 30 available options in its mobile app, compared to 29 offered by CMC Markets. Nonetheless, CMC Markets holds a higher rating of 5 stars for its mobile trading app, while ActivTrades earns 4 stars. This distinction is further reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where CMC Markets secures the #5 spot among 63 brokers, while ActivTrades is ranked at #19. Both platforms offer strong options, but CMC Markets appears to have a slight advantage in user satisfaction and ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and ActivTrades both excel in delivering essential market research resources, including daily market commentary and forex news from prestigious outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters. They each provide traders with a sentiment-based trading tool, displaying long and short positions across various instruments, as well as a comprehensive economic calendar showcasing significant global events. Despite these shared features, CMC Markets holds a distinct advantage with its inclusion of Autochartist analytical tools. ActivTrades, meanwhile, lacks this feature, potentially limiting the depth of technical analysis available to its users.
When it comes to overall research ratings, CMC Markets stands out with a perfect 5-star rating compared to ActivTrades' 4-star score. This superior rating is reflected in its higher ranking by ForexBrokers.com, placing CMC Markets at an impressive 6th out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades trails at 30th. Whether prioritizing comprehensive tools or a higher industry rating, traders seeking advanced market insights might find CMC Markets to be a more appealing choice between the two.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both CMC Markets and ActivTrades ensure they meet the essential needs by providing a minimum of 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, a noteworthy difference between the two is their approach to webinars. ActivTrades offers monthly online educational client webinars, making it easy for users to engage and learn in real-time, while CMC Markets does not provide this feature. Nevertheless, both platforms offer a searchable archive of recorded client webinars, allowing users to access valuable learning materials at their convenience.
Further enhancing the educational experience, both CMC Markets and ActivTrades provide more than 10 beginner-specific educational videos, and they also offer an equal number of advanced videos aimed at experienced traders. CMC Markets takes things up a notch with an investor dictionary that includes over 50 investing terms, a feature that isn't available with ActivTrades. This comprehensive educational service earns CMC Markets a higher rating of 5 stars for education resources, compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars. Additionally, CMC Markets boasts a more favorable ranking, placed at #10 by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, while ActivTrades ranks at #38 out of 63 brokers. These distinctions underscore CMC Markets as a more recognized choice for educational offerings in the trading field.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than ActivTrades. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
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Both CMC Markets and ActivTrades do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, making them viable choices for traders interested in speculative cryptocurrency investment without owning the actual asset.
When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and ActivTrades, CMC Markets offers more flexibility with ACH and SEPA transfers, as well as PayPal, while both brokers support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, but ActivTrades provides additional accessibility with Skrill.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
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