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.
Compare CMC Markets vs ActivTrades on regulation and trust. CMC Markets (founded 1989) and ActivTrades (founded 2001) are both online brokers and neither is a bank. CMC Markets is publicly traded, while ActivTrades is privately held. As defined by ForexBrokers.com, Trust Scores of 90–99 are highly trusted and 80–89 are trusted; CMC Markets scores 99 (highly trusted), and ActivTrades scores 80 (trusted).
Regulatory coverage differs: CMC Markets holds six Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license; ActivTrades holds two Tier-1 and one Tier-2. Tier-1 licenses are considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, and Tier-2 are considered trusted. In plain terms, CMC Markets offers wider top-tier oversight and the highest possible Trust Score, while ActivTrades provides a trusted setup with fewer top-tier approvals.
| 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 |
CMC Markets stands out for commissions and fees, earning a 5-star rating and ranking #4 out of 36 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category. It is known for low pricing across account types, with average EUR/USD spreads of 0.61 pips based on August 2023 data. For active traders, CMC also offers the Price Plus Scheme, which can lower trading costs based on monthly trading volume, and its FX Active pricing adds a commission of $2.50 per side with zero-pip minimum spreads, creating an all-in EUR/USD cost of 0.5 pips.
ActivTrades also keeps costs fairly competitive, but it does not match CMC Markets on overall pricing. It has a 4-star rating and ranks #21 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees. ActivTrades offers one main Individual Account, plus Professional and Islamic Account options, but it does not have a dedicated high-volume trader pricing plan. In our review, ActivTrades’ average EUR/USD spread was 0.98 pips in May 2024, which is slightly above CMC Markets’ pricing.
In simple terms, CMC Markets is the better pick if you want lower trading costs and more ways to reduce fees, especially if you trade often. ActivTrades is still a solid choice with spreads that are a bit better than the industry average, but it is less competitive than CMC Markets for commission and fee savings.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.08 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.92 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets offers a wider range of investments than ActivTrades, making it the stronger choice for traders who want more variety. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, offer copy trading, and let clients trade cryptocurrency CFDs rather than buying actual crypto. However, CMC Markets stands out with 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, compared with 1,267 symbols and 49 forex pairs at ActivTrades.
CMC Markets also gives clients access to exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, while ActivTrades only offers these shares on international exchanges. For range of investments, CMC Markets is rated 5 stars and ranked #9 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and a #25 ranking. Overall, CMC Markets provides the broader selection for investors who want more markets and instruments in one account.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
CMC Markets and ActivTrades both give traders a wide set of platform choices, including a free demo account, their own in-house platform, Windows desktop software, web trading, copy trading, and access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each broker also lets users trade directly from charts, which can make it easier to place orders while watching price moves. In other words, both brokers cover the main tools most traders look for when comparing online trading platforms.
Where CMC Markets stands out is in overall platform quality and recognition. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26. Based on these results, CMC Markets has the edge for traders who want a more highly rated trading platform experience, even though ActivTrades still offers many of the same platform features.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts, trendline drawing, and autosaved chart drawings. That means traders can track markets and manage charts from either phone type with either broker. CMC Markets also stands out because its mobile app syncs watchlists with the online account, so updates carry over between devices, while ActivTrades does not offer this feature.
When it comes to charting tools, ActivTrades offers 30 technical studies in its mobile app, just ahead of CMC Markets’ 29. Even so, CMC Markets comes out on top overall for mobile trading apps, earning a 5-star rating and a #5 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades is also well equipped, but it trails behind with a 4-star rating and a #21 ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and ActivTrades both give traders useful market research tools, including daily market commentary, forex news from major providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, a sentiment tool showing long and short positions, and an economic calendar with key global events. That means both brokers cover the basics well for traders who want quick updates on market moves and upcoming news that could affect prices.
CMC Markets has the edge overall for research. It offers Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental analysis, while ActivTrades does not, and CMC Markets is rated 5 stars for Research and ranked #6 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades is still solid, with a 4-star Research rating and a #26 ranking, but CMC Markets is the stronger choice if market research is a top priority.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for trading education, CMC Markets and ActivTrades both offer plenty of learning content, including at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos on trading topics. CMC Markets also provides forex and CFD education, giving new traders a wide range of articles, videos, and similar materials focused on these markets. ActivTrades also offers forex and CFD education, but CMC Markets stands out more overall for learning support, with a 5-star Education rating and a stronger #10 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com.
One key difference is live learning: ActivTrades offers online educational webinars at least once a month, while CMC Markets does not. That may matter for beginners who like guided lessons and the chance to learn from experts in real time. Still, if you want a broker with a higher-rated education section and more top-level recognition for beginner learning, CMC Markets has the edge, while ActivTrades may appeal more to those who value regular webinars.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
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 #5, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28.
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
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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CMC Markets vs ActivTrades: both online brokers do not offer buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but each provides cryptocurrency CFD trading to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset.
Comparing online brokers CMC Markets and ActivTrades for deposit and withdrawal options: CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wire transfers, whereas ActivTrades does not support ACH/SEPA or PayPal but does support Skrill and bank wire transfers (card availability not specified for either broker).
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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0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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). |
| Cost | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.08 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.92 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | ActivTrades Review |
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