Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs ATFX, 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 has established itself as a highly trusted online broker, achieving a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This platform, publicly traded and widely recognized, holds a total of five Tier-1 licenses, which reflects its top-tier regulatory security. Additionally, CMC Markets maintains one Tier-2 license, further ensuring its credibility and commitment to secure trading for its clients. Despite not being a bank, the company's longevity and extensive regulatory oversight underscore its strong reputation in the trading sector.
In comparison, ATFX, which began operations in 2017, is not publicly traded but maintains a respected position with a Trust Score of 85 from ForexBrokers.com. It holds four Tier-1 licenses, indicating strong regulatory compliance, complemented by two Tier-2 licenses, which further affirm its reliability. Although comparatively newer to the market, ATFX has swiftly garnered trust among traders, demonstrating that solid regulatory practices and a keen focus on customer security can significantly bolster a broker's standing. Neither CMC Markets nor ATFX functions as a bank, yet both prioritize robust regulatory practices to safeguard their client’s interests.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, CMC Markets stands out for its low-cost trading options, earning it the #1 spot in the Commissions and Fees category in our 2025 Annual Awards. With a 5-star rating, CMC Markets offers an average spread of 0.61 pips on popular currency pairs like the EUR/USD. Their innovative Price Plus Scheme rewards active traders with spread discounts, allowing for a potential 20% reduction for high-volume traders. The broker also introduced the FX Active pricing structure, offering commission-based trading with highly competitive spreads, which further solidifies their status as a cost-effective choice for investors.
In contrast, ATFX holds a 3-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking #60 out of 63 brokers in the same category. Unlike CMC Markets, ATFX does not provide specific average spread data, making it a less transparent option for those who prioritize clear pricing. Investors seeking detailed information on potential trading costs might find this lack of data less favorable when making their choice.
Overall, CMC Markets is a leader in providing competitive and clear pricing structures, making it a preferred option for cost-conscious traders. While ATFX has room for improvement in its fee transparency and overall ranking, it offers a basic service for those less concerned with detailed cost specifications.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 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.
CMC Markets sets itself apart with an extensive selection of investment options. With a staggering 11,925 tradeable symbols and 156 forex pairs, CMC Markets caters to a wide variety of traders. It offers both CFD and spot contracts for forex trading and goes a step further by providing access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to invest in popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone directly. In addition, CMC Markets supports copy trading and offers cryptocurrency derivatives for those interested in digital assets without purchasing the actual cryptocurrency. Given these offerings, CMC Markets earns a strong five-star rating for its range of investments, ranking #9 out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
ATFX, while providing a competitive entry point for traders with forex trading available via CFD and spot contracts, offers a more limited range of investment options compared to CMC Markets. With only 150 tradable symbols and 44 forex pairs, the choices are somewhat restricted. Furthermore, ATFX does not offer exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, limiting options for stock investors. Like CMC Markets, ATFX does provide copy trading and the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives. However, these offerings amount to a 3.5-star rating for range of investments, reflecting its #57 rank out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 44 |
| 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.
When comparing the online trading platforms and tools offered by CMC Markets and ATFX, several notable differences emerge. CMC Markets provides traders with a proprietary platform that has been developed in-house, along with the highly popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. In contrast, ATFX sticks with MetaTrader options, lacking its own bespoke platform. Both brokers offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, which is a great feature for beginners looking to practice trading without risking real money. Additionally, both platforms are accessible via Windows desktop and web-based browsers, ensuring flexibility for traders. CMC Markets stands out further by offering more extensive charting tools, specifically 40 drawing tools compared to ATFX's 15.
Both CMC Markets and ATFX support copy trading, yet differ significantly in their platform features. CMC Markets offers 11 columns for watch lists, compared to ATFX's 7, allowing for more detailed market monitoring. Furthermore, both brokers provide the ability to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing trading efficiency. In terms of rankings and ratings by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets shines with a 5-star rating and ranks 4th out of 63 brokers for its trading platforms and tools. ATFX, on the other hand, receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks 62nd among its peers, indicating a clear distinction in performance and user satisfaction between the two brokers.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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.
Catching the attention of traders who are frequently on the go, both CMC Markets and ATFX shine with iPhone and Android apps, offering stock and forex price alerts to keep users informed. Traders seeking to sync their watchlists will find an advantage with CMC Markets, as it seamlessly updates between mobile and online accounts. However, ATFX falls short here, lacking this synchronization feature. In terms of technical prowess, CMC Markets significantly extends the capabilities with 29 charting studies compared to ATFX's more modest offering of 7.
When it comes to usability, both platforms allow users to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and both apps automatically save chart drawings for convenience. They also support real-time quotes in watchlists. Users have showered CMC Markets with praise, granting it a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, which ranks it 5th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, ATFX receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks at the bottom position, suggesting room for improvement. Both platforms are feature-rich, but CMC Markets stands out in usability and comprehensive toolset for mobile traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 7 |
| 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 the market research offerings of CMC Markets and ATFX, there are several notable differences that traders might find influential. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and economic calendars, ensuring traders are informed about ongoing and upcoming global events. However, when it comes to sourcing forex news, CMC Markets surpasses ATFX by including top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while ATFX does not. Additionally, both firms utilize tools from Autochartist, although only ATFX complements this with tools from Trading Central. CMC Markets, on the other hand, incorporates a sentiment-based trading tool, helping traders understand market trends through the lens of long and short positions, an area where ATFX falls short.
In terms of overall research quality, CMC Markets enjoys a higher rating, receiving 5 stars compared to ATFX's 3 stars. This distinction reflects its #6 position among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, significantly ahead of ATFX, which is ranked at #54. Both firms do not offer research tools from Acuity Trading or market research from TipRanks, but CMC Markets' superior tools and resources may provide a more comprehensive trading experience for those seeking in-depth market analysis and timely insights.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 comparing the educational resources available for beginners at CMC Markets and ATFX, both online brokers provide an array of materials to guide new traders in the world of forex and CFDs. Each offers a minimum of 10 educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, catering to those eager to learn. While neither CMC Markets nor ATFX provide live educational webinars, they both feature searchable archives of past webinars, allowing learners to access valuable insights at their convenience. Both platforms also offer more than 10 beginner-focused educational videos, ensuring that newcomers have plenty of content to help them get started on their trading journey.
CMC Markets and ATFX both include an investor dictionary with more than 50 investing terms to help demystify trading jargon for novices. Notably, CMC Markets takes education a step further with at least 10 advanced videos tailored for more experienced traders, a feature ATFX does not match. This comprehensive approach is reflected in CMC Markets' higher educational rating of 5 stars compared to ATFX's 3 stars. Moreover, CMC Markets is ranked 10th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for education, whereas ATFX holds the 28th position, showcasing CMC Markets as the superior choice for beginners seeking extensive educational support.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 ATFX. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
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
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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Both CMC Markets and ATFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets provides a range of options for depositing or withdrawing funds, including ACH, SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ATFX does not support ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal, but does offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options.
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 | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2017 | |
| 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 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 44 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | CMC Markets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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