Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs ACY Securities, 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 distinguishes itself as a highly trusted online broker with a top-tier ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99. This score reflects its strong regulatory framework, including five Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, showcasing its commitment to security and credibility. As a publicly traded entity, CMC Markets adds another layer of transparency, making it a reliable choice for traders seeking assurance.
In contrast, ACY Securities, established in 2011, offers a more moderate level of trust with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 75. While it holds one Tier-1 license, it lacks Tier-2 licenses, indicating a higher level of risk compared to its counterpart. Unlike CMC Markets, ACY Securities is not publicly traded, which may influence some investors' perspectives on transparency and security. Despite these differences, both brokers share a commonality in not being affiliated with a banking institution.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of CMC Markets and ACY Securities, both brokers offer unique advantages catering to various trading needs. CMC Markets stands out with a 5-star rating and is ranked #1 in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com for its low spread offerings. The typical spread for EUR/USD is 0.61 pips, and its FX Active pricing sets a commission at $2.50 per side, resulting in a competitive all-in cost of 0.5 pips on several currency pairs. CMC Markets further enhances its appeal with the Price Plus Scheme, offering discounts based on Trading Points, which are calculated from trading volumes and market choices.
Conversely, ACY Securities is rated 4.5 stars and holds the 21st spot in the same category. It provides a range of account types, making it suitable for different traders. Although the Standard account with its $50 minimum deposit has slightly above-average spreads at 1.2 pips for EUR/USD, the commission-based ProZero and Bespoke accounts offer tighter spreads dropping to 0.25 pips. These accounts require higher deposits but come with reduced commission rates, especially for Australian residents, with ProZero seeing commissions as low as $3 per round turn.
In summary, while CMC Markets leads with consistently low spreads and a comprehensive fee structure, ACY Securities offers flexible account options with competitive pricing via commission-based models. Each broker presents strong propositions depending on a trader’s location, account preference, and trading volume ambitions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.85 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| 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 it comes to the variety of investment options, CMC Markets takes the lead with an impressive range of 11,925 tradeable symbols, which significantly surpasses ACY Securities' offering of 2,200. Both firms provide forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but CMC Markets offers a more extensive selection of 156 forex pairs compared to ACY Securities' 66. Additionally, investors looking to trade exchange-traded securities will find CMC Markets more appealing, as it provides access to U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to buy shares such as Apple's and Vodafone's, opportunities that ACY Securities does not offer. Both brokers support trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the option to buy delivered cryptocurrencies.
For investors interested in copy trading, both CMC Markets and ACY Securities are viable options. However, CMC Markets stands out with a top-notch five-star rating for its range of investments, according to ForexBrokers.com, placing it as the 9th best out of 63 brokers. Meanwhile, ACY Securities is rated four stars and ranked at 30th in the same category. This comprehensive offering from CMC Markets makes it the preferable choice for those seeking diverse investment options from a single platform.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 2200 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 66 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
CMC Markets and ACY Securities both provide a comprehensive suite of trading tools and platforms aimed at enhancing the user experience. Both brokers offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, providing an excellent way for new traders to practice without financial risk. Each broker has developed its own proprietary platform, in addition to offering popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Traders can easily stay connected with web-based platforms and have access to a variety of trading options through a Windows-based desktop platform and copy trading features.
When it comes to specific platform features, CMC Markets and ACY Securities differ slightly. For instance, CMC Markets boasts 40 drawing tools for charting purposes, compared to the 15 offered by ACY Securities. Additionally, CMC Markets offers 11 fields for watch lists, while ACY Securities provides 7. These differences, among others, contribute to CMC Markets' higher rating of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, compared to ACY Securities’ 4 stars. Furthermore, CMC Markets is recognized as a top contender by ForexBrokers.com, ranking 4th out of 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, while ACY Securities is ranked 41st. Both brokers, however, do not provide access to DupliTrade or ZuluTrade platforms. Overall, if you're looking for more advanced charting capabilities and watch list options, CMC Markets may be the preferred choice.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps offered by CMC Markets and ACY Securities, both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android users. Both apps are equipped with stock and forex price alerts, and allow you to draw trendlines, and access multiple time frames on charts. Additionally, both CMC Markets and ACY Securities mobile platforms let you create watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring traders stay informed and can monitor their favorite assets easily while on the move. However, a notable difference lies in watchlist syncing; changes in your watchlist with CMC Markets sync across both mobile and online accounts, whereas, with ACY Securities, this convenient feature is not available.
When it comes to charting capabilities, ACY Securities offers slightly more technical studies in its app with 30 compared to CMC Markets' 29. Yet, CMC Markets edges ahead with overall performance and user satisfaction, boasting a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading experience, compared to ACY Securities' 4-star rating. Ranked 5th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets clearly impresses in the Mobile Trading Apps category, while ACY Securities holds the 40th spot. This makes CMC Markets a preferred choice for those prioritizing seamless functionality and high ratings in their trading app experiences.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When comparing CMC Markets and ACY Securities in terms of market research, CMC Markets appears to offer a more comprehensive suite of tools and services. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and an economic calendar, allowing traders to stay up to date with current and upcoming global news events. However, CMC Markets stands out by providing forex news sourced from top-tier outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters, along with access to tools from Autochartist, known for technical and fundamental research. Additionally, CMC Markets offers a sentiment-based trading tool that illustrates the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments. In contrast, ACY Securities does not provide these specific features, which can be crucial for traders making informed decisions.
According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets received a higher research rating of 5 stars compared with ACY Securities' 3.5 stars. This is clearly reflected in their respective rankings, with CMC Markets securing the 6th position out of 63 brokers, while ACY Securities is positioned 45th in the same category. This suggests that CMC Markets may be the preferred choice for traders seeking a broker with extensive market research capabilities, offering more advanced insights and tools to guide trading strategies.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| 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 ACY Securities offer a solid selection, but there are differences in the depth and availability of these resources. CMC Markets shines with its rich repository of educational materials, including over ten beginner-oriented videos and a thorough dictionary with definitions of 50 investing terms. It also provides a searchable archive of recorded webinars. However, monthly online webinars are not part of its offerings. Meanwhile, ACY Securities excels by providing monthly live webinars, nurturing an interactive learning environment and also maintains a searchable archive of past webinars. However, it lacks an investor dictionary and advanced educational videos that meet the beginner's requirements CMC Markets fulfills.
In terms of ratings, CMC Markets boasts a 5-star rating for education, ranking 10th out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. This is largely due to its comprehensive range of materials suitable for both beginner and advanced traders. ACY Securities, while offering valuable resources with a focus on regular interactive webinars, is rated at 3.5 stars and ranks 43rd in the same category. This difference highlights the importance of considering both the type and accessibility of educational resources when choosing between these platforms, depending on one's learning priorities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| 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 ACY Securities. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while ACY Securities finished with an overall rank of #41.
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
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 |
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Both CMC Markets and ACY Securities do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets and ACY Securities both support ACH or SEPA transfers, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing and withdrawing account funds; however, CMC Markets offers PayPal but not Skrill, whereas ACY Securities provides Skrill but not PayPal.
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 | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | ACY Securities Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 2200 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 66 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.85 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | 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 Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | CMC Markets Review | ACY Securities Review |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | ACY Securities Review |
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