Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Admirals, 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.
CMC Markets, established in 1989, and Admirals, founded in 2001, are renowned online brokers. CMC Markets is publicly traded while Admirals remains a private entity. Both brokers are not classified as banks. Regulatory oversight is a critical factor in assessing trust. CMC Markets excels in this area with five Tier-1 licenses and a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, placing it in the highly trusted category. Admirals, meanwhile, holds four Tier-1 licenses, complemented by three Tier-2 licenses, earning it a Trust Score of 93, also indicating a high level of trust.
The regulatory standing of these brokers highlights their commitment to offering secure trading environments. CMC Markets' extensive network of top-level licenses signifies rigorous adherence to financial regulations. Comparatively, Admirals' combination of Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses still offers a high degree of reliability. Both brokers demonstrate a strong commitment to regulatory compliance, but CMC Markets stands out due to its slightly superior Trust Score and the fact it is publicly traded, adding an extra layer of transparency.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing CMC Markets and Admirals on their commission and fee structures, CMC Markets stands out for its attractive pricing. In the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards, it secured the top spot in the Commissions and Fees category. CMC Markets is recognized for its low spreads, such as an average of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, which is quite competitive within the industry. The broker offers a unique Price Plus Scheme for active traders, allowing participants to earn discounts based on Trading Points derived from monthly trading volume. CMC Markets also launched its FX Active commission-based pricing, boasting a commission of $2.50 per side with minimal spreads. This makes for a compelling choice, especially with its consistent average spreads aligning closely with advertised minimums, earning it a perfect 5-star rating for commissions and fees.
In contrast, Admirals is recognized for its competitive pricing, though it ranks 17th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category. Typical spreads on Admirals' Trade account are about 0.8 pips. Admirals maintains similar pricing for its Zero account type. While it does offer reasonable pricing, Admirals' average spreads don't quite match the low costs found with CMC Markets, resulting in a slightly lower rating of 4.5 stars for commissions and fees.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets and Admirals both offer a comprehensive selection of investment opportunities, catering to different trading needs. With CMC Markets, traders have access to an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, which includes 156 forex pairs. This extensive range of forex options is available through Contracts for Difference (CFDs) or spot contracts, giving traders flexibility in their approach. Meanwhile, Admirals also provides solid options with 8,702 tradeable symbols and 82 forex pairs, available via CFDs or spot contracts as well. Both brokers ensure ample access to global markets by offering exchange traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, allowing investors the opportunity to buy shares of companies like Apple and Vodafone directly.
When it comes to additional services, both CMC Markets and Admirals support copy trading, a feature beneficial for beginners or those wanting to mirror the strategies of successful traders. While neither broker facilitates the purchase of delivered cryptocurrencies, both offer the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives. In terms of recognition, CMC Markets has earned a top-tier ranking from ForexBrokers.com, rated 5 stars for its range of investments, and holding the 9th position out of 63 brokers. Admirals, with a 4.5-star rating, is also a strong contender, ranked 19th. This data suggests that both platforms are formidable choices, yet CMC Markets may be particularly appealing to those prioritizing a broader range of tradeable assets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 8702 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 82 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Both CMC Markets and Admirals offer a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools, making them appealing choices for both new and experienced traders. They each provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without financial risk. Both brokers have developed their proprietary platforms and also support popular options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, accommodating traders who prefer either custom or established systems. Additionally, each platform is versatile, with availability on Windows-based desktops and web browsers. Users can engage in copy trading with both brokers, although neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. A key difference is in charting tools: while CMC Markets has 40 drawing tools, Admirals offers a broader selection of 106 tools.
Both brokers enable traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, providing fluid experiences in chart-based trading. When it comes to watch lists, CMC Markets offers 11 columns for customization compared to Admirals' 7, potentially giving traders more data at a glance. This attention to detail is reflected in their ratings, with CMC Markets receiving five stars for trading platforms and tools and Admirals earning four stars. Subsequently, CMC Markets is ranked 4th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Admirals, which holds the 19th position, indicating a slightly higher preference for CMC Markets among industry experts.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Camelot CMC Markets and Admirals both provide iPhone and Android apps with essential tools such as stock and forex price alerts, watchlists with real-time quotes, and the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. However, CMC Markets edges ahead with watchlist symbol syncing, allowing users to seamlessly sync their mobile app watchlists with their online accounts, a feature Admirals does not offer. While Admirals offers a slightly higher number of technical studies on its mobile app, CMC Markets still ranks higher overall. Both platforms provide charting tools that auto-save drawings, ensuring that your technical analysis is never lost.
When evaluating ratings, CMC Markets shines with a perfect 5-star rating for mobile trading apps, while Admirals follows closely behind with 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets ranks impressively at #5 out of 63 brokers for their mobile trading app, whereas Admirals holds the #23 spot. This positioning underscores CMC Markets' appeal among traders seeking a seamless, feature-rich mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Admirals both provide daily market commentary, offering valuable insights for traders looking to stay informed. They each deliver forex news from reputable sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring access to timely and reliable information. For those interested in technical analysis tools, CMC Markets stands out with offerings from Autochartist, whereas Admirals lacks this feature but compensates with tools from Trading Central, famous for its technical analytics. Both platforms provide sentiment-based trading tools to help users understand market trends, as well as comprehensive economic calendars showcasing key global events.
Where the platforms diverge further is in their additional research tools. Admirals excels by incorporating resources like TipRanks and Acuity Trading, granting users a broader range of analytical options. Meanwhile, CMC Markets focuses more narrowly, resulting in a slightly higher research rating with 5 stars compared to Admirals' 4 stars. Ultimately, based on ForexBrokers.com rankings among 63 brokers for research, CMC Markets is positioned at #6, reflecting its strong research capabilities, while Admirals holds the #15 spot. This overview underscores the distinct advantages each broker offers, catering to various trader preferences and needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both CMC Markets and Admirals offer a wide array of materials designed to help new traders understand the world of forex and CFDs. Each platform provides more than ten educational pieces, including articles and videos focused on forex and CFDs, making them valuable resources for learning. While CMC Markets does not host monthly online client webinars, it offers access to a searchable archive of recorded webinars, which is also available with Admirals. Both brokers deliver at least ten educational videos catered specifically for beginner traders, ensuring that newcomers have plenty of content to explore and learn from.
In addition to beginner content, both CMC Markets and Admirals supply advanced educational videos for traders with more experience. They also provide an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 trading terms, helping users familiarize themselves with essential trading language. Despite both brokers offering comprehensive educational resources, CMC Markets takes the lead with a perfect 5-star rating and ranks 10th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for education. Admirals, rated slightly lower at 4 stars, still provides excellent educational offerings and ranks 12th in the same category.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 Admirals. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18.
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
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both CMC Markets and Admirals do not provide the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies; however, they both offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both CMC Markets and Admirals provide ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires as options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but only Admirals additionally offers Skrill as a payment method.
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 | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Admirals Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | Yes |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 8702 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 82 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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). |
| Cost | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Admirals Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Admirals Review |
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