Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs BlackBull Markets, 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 and BlackBull Markets are prominent online brokers, yet they differ significantly in their regulatory standings and trust credentials. Established in 1989, CMC Markets boasts a high level of regulatory backing, holding five top-tier licenses and a commendable trust score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. It's also noteworthy that CMC Markets is publicly traded, underscoring its transparency and commitment to investor trust. In contrast, BlackBull Markets, founded in 2014, holds just one Tier-1 license and has a trust score of 78, categorizing it as average risk on the ForexBrokers.com scale. While it provides a solid trading platform, it is not publicly traded, which may be a consideration for those prioritizing institutional transparency.
Neither CMC Markets nor BlackBull Markets functions as a bank, focusing instead on providing trading platforms for a range of financial instruments. The significant disparity in regulatory licenses highlights CMC Markets' stronger emphasis on compliance and oversight, making it potentially more reassuring for investors prioritizing safety and longevity in a broker. Whether you lean towards the longstanding reliability of CMC Markets or the contemporary approach by BlackBull Markets, understanding these regulatory differences can help guide your choice in the diverse world of online trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2014 |
| 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 |
CMC Markets stands out in the online brokerage scene with its exemplary commissions and fees structure, securing the top spot in ForexBrokers.com's 2025 Annual Awards. It boasts an impressive 5-star rating in this category, offering consistently low spreads across various account types. For instance, CMC Markets provides average spreads of 0.61 pips on the popular EUR/USD currency pair. The firm's Price Plus Scheme rewards active traders with discounts on trading costs based on Trading Points, allowing up to a 20% discount on spreads as trading volumes increase. Additionally, CMC Markets' FX Active pricing introduces a commission-based structure available in several regions, combining competitive spreads with minimal commissions for an all-in cost advantage.
In contrast, BlackBull Markets, rated 4.5 stars and ranked 18th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, delivers average trading costs with variability across its three account types. The Prime account at BlackBull Markets is most competitive, featuring an average spread of 0.16 pips on the EUR/USD for an all-in cost of 0.76 pips, considering the commission. This account requires a $2,000 minimum deposit and carries a per-side commission of $3. The Standard account offers commission-free trading with higher spreads and no deposit requirement, while the ECN Institutional account caters to high-volume traders with lower commissions but demands a substantial $20,000 minimum deposit.
When choosing between CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets, the decision largely hinges on trading priorities and account preferences. CMC Markets presents a superior spread and commission balance, appealing to global traders seeking cost efficiency. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets provides scalable options suitable for varying levels of investment and trading strategy, making it a viable contender with a diverse account offering.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.71 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| 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 and BlackBull Markets are both strong contenders when it comes to offering a wide range of investment opportunities. CMC Markets provides access to a sizable array of 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets opens the door to an even broader spectrum, with 26,000 tradeable symbols and 72 forex pairs. Both brokers allow trading of exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to partake in buying shares like Apple on the NASDAQ or Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. For those interested in cryptocurrency, both brokers offer trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, though direct cryptocurrency purchases are not available.
Both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets include the feature of copy trading, which allows investors to mirror the trades of seasoned professionals, further broadening their investment strategies. With both brokers rated as five stars for their range of investments, they are highly ranked by ForexBrokers.com, though BlackBull Markets slightly edges out CMC Markets, ranking 6th compared to 9th out of 63 brokers in this category. This makes both platforms attractive options for diverse investment needs, whether you're eyeing forex pairs, securities, or crypto derivatives.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 72 |
| 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.
CMP Markets and BlackBull Markets both provide traders with comprehensive platforms and tools. CMC Markets boasts a proprietary platform which offers flexibility and enhanced control for Windows-based desktop users, as well as seamless experiences on browser-based platforms. Both brokers allow for simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, catering to beginners and seasoned traders alike. For those interested in social trading, both companies offer copy trading services. Additionally, they both support popular software like MetaTrader 4 and 5, but CMC Markets stands out with its high-rated trading platform, achieving 5 stars compared to BlackBull Markets' 4 stars. With a higher ranking of #4 compared to BlackBull's #29 on ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets provides a more lauded trading platform experience.
While both brokers offer a variety of technical tools, BlackBull Markets excels with more charting capabilities, including 60 drawing tools compared to CMC Markets' 40. Despite this, CMC Markets allows more customization in watch lists with 11 columns versus BlackBull's 6 columns. Trading from charts is supported by both platforms, yet CMC Markets' proprietary platform gives it an upper hand, further recognized by industry rankings. Notably, BlackBull Markets offers access to ZuluTrade, expanding its social trading options, though both brokers do not offer DupliTrade. Overall, personal preference for proprietary platforms and specific tool features will guide traders in choosing between these two respected brokers.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Catering to both iPhone and Android users, CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets offer seamless mobile trading experiences. Both platforms provide essential features like stock and forex price alerts, real-time watchlists, and seamless syncing between mobile apps and online accounts. Traders can enjoy drawing tools, look at multiple time frames, and auto-save their market analyses. CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets ensure traders have the ability to explore detailed charts, with CMC providing 29 technical studies and BlackBull offering 30.
When it comes to user ratings, CMC Markets stands out with a 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, comfortably outperforming BlackBull Markets' 4-star rating. Ranking as the 5th top mobile trading app out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets showcases its strong presence in the market. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets holds the 31st position. Both platforms bring valuable tools to traders, but CMC Markets clearly leads in user satisfaction and industry ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| 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 market research offerings, CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets both provide daily market commentary and valuable tools from Autochartist, making them strong options for traders keen on market analysis. CMC Markets, however, sets itself apart with forex news from premium sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which BlackBull Markets does not offer. Both brokers deliver sentiment-based trading tools, helping traders understand the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. Additionally, they both feature an economic calendar to keep traders informed of current and future global economic events.
Despite some similarities, CMC Markets' comprehensive offering earns it a higher research rating of 5 stars compared to BlackBull Markets' 4 stars. This higher rating is further reflected in their rankings, with CMC Markets placing 6th and BlackBull Markets 18th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. These rankings underscore CMC Markets' superior market research capabilities, making it a preferable choice for those seeking in-depth market insights.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| 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 beginner traders, both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets provide a comprehensive suite of tools and materials. CMC Markets offers an extensive collection of over ten articles, videos, and archived webinars specifically focused on forex and CFDs. Additionally, they boast a searchable archive of these recordings, making it easier for users to access past content. While CMC Markets provides plenty of beginner-friendly educational videos, they do not host monthly online webinars for clients. With a strong educational reputation, CMC Markets receives a perfect five-star rating and ranks as number 10 in the education category by ForexBrokers.com out of 63 brokers.
On the other hand, BlackBull Markets also achieves a significant focus on education by offering a similar number of educational resources tailored to forex and CFD traders. Like CMC Markets, they provide an archive of previously recorded webinars for easy access. However, BlackBull Markets stands out by conducting at least one educational client webinar per month, offering valuable real-time learning opportunities. Despite this advantage, BlackBull Markets is rated slightly lower with four stars and ranks 29th according to ForexBrokers.com. Both platforms feature extensive beginner and advanced trading video materials alongside a comprehensive investor dictionary, making them valuable resources for traders at any stage.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BlackBull Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
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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BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
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Both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets provide opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
CMC Markets provides a wider range of deposit and withdrawal options compared to BlackBull Markets, offering ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while BlackBull Markets supports Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires but does not offer ACH or SEPA transfers or 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2014 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 72 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.71 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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