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, founded in 1989, is publicly traded, while BlackBull Markets, founded in 2014, is not listed; neither is a bank. According to ForexBrokers.com’s Trust Score out of 99, CMC Markets scores 99 (highly trusted: 90–99), whereas BlackBull Markets scores 77 (average risk: 70–79).
On regulation, CMC Markets holds 6 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) and 1 Tier-2 license (trusted). BlackBull Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. In plain terms, CMC Markets is supervised by more top-tier regulators than BlackBull Markets, which may appeal to traders who prioritize extensive regulatory coverage.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
CMC Markets has the edge over BlackBull Markets on commissions and fees, and it earns a 5-star rating and a #3 ranking out of 36 brokers for this category. On its standard account, CMC’s pricing is spread-only, with an average EUR/USD spread of 1.3 pips, which is higher than its advertised minimum. Traders who want lower costs can switch to FX Active, where the all-in EUR/USD cost drops to about 1.15 pips, including commission. CMC also stands out for its low non-trading costs, including no minimum deposit, free international wires, and an inactivity fee that only starts after a full year without trading.
BlackBull Markets is still competitive, but its overall pricing is only average compared with the broader market. It holds a 4.5-star rating and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees. Its Standard account is commission-free, but the spreads are wider, while the Prime account offers better value with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.16 and an all-in cost of about 0.76 after commission. That account requires a $2,000 minimum deposit and charges $3 per side, or $6 round turn per lot. The ECN Institutional account is aimed at larger traders and lowers commissions further, but it requires at least $20,000 to open.
In simple terms, CMC Markets is the stronger pick for traders who want better pricing overall and fewer extra fees, while BlackBull Markets may appeal to traders who want account choices and are comfortable paying more for the standard option. For active traders, both brokers offer lower-cost paths, but CMC’s fee structure is the more attractive of the two.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.3 | 1.16 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.15 | 0.76 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 and BlackBull Markets both give traders access to forex as a CFD or spot contract, as well as U.S. and international exchange-traded shares, so each broker covers the basics well for investing across markets. Both also offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy delivered crypto directly. In terms of choice, BlackBull Markets lists more tradeable symbols overall, with 26,000 compared with CMC Markets’ 21,710, while CMC Markets stands out for forex selection with 303 currency pairs versus 72 at BlackBull Markets.
For added features, BlackBull Markets includes copy trading, while CMC Markets does not. Still, both brokers earn a 5-star rating for Range of Investments, which suggests each provides a strong mix of assets for most traders. On ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets ranks slightly higher in this category at #7 out of 36 brokers, ahead of CMC Markets at #9 out of 36.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 21710 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 303 | 72 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 BlackBull Markets both give traders a wide choice of platforms and tools, including free demo accounts, desktop downloads for Windows, web-based platforms, and access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both also let users trade directly from charts, which can make it easier to place and manage trades while reviewing price action. For traders who want an easy way to test strategies or get familiar with the platform before using real money, each broker offers simulated trading.
The biggest difference is that CMC Markets offers its own in-house trading platform, while BlackBull Markets does not. BlackBull Markets does stand out for copy trading, which CMC Markets does not offer. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers, while BlackBull Markets scores 4 stars and ranks #26, giving CMC Markets the edge overall for platform quality and tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 65 | 109 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets both give mobile traders the essentials needed to trade on the go. Each broker offers iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, watchlist syncing between the app and online account, 30 technical studies for charting, trendline drawing, and automatic saving of chart drawings. In other words, both apps are well equipped for everyday mobile trading and make it easy to stay connected to the market from a phone.
Where CMC Markets stands out is in third-party recognition and user ratings. CMC Markets earns a 5-star rating for mobile trading apps and is ranked #5 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets is rated 4 stars and ranks #29 out of 36. For traders comparing mobile app quality, CMC Markets has the edge, even though BlackBull Markets still offers the same core mobile features.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets both give traders useful market research tools, including daily market commentary, an economic calendar, Autochartist, and a sentiment tool that shows whether traders are mostly long or short on different markets. Each broker also covers the basics well for keeping up with price moves and scheduled news. Neither one offers Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools.
Where CMC Markets stands out is in the depth of its news coverage and overall research quality. It offers forex news from top sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while BlackBull Markets does not. CMC Markets is rated 5 stars for Research and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared with BlackBull Markets at 4.5 stars and #17, making CMC Markets the stronger choice for traders who want more market insight.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| 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 lessons, both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets offer a wide range of education on forex and CFDs, with at least 10 learning pieces each, plus online client webinars held at least once a month. Each broker also provides 10 or more beginner videos and 10 or more advanced videos, so new traders can start with the basics and keep learning as their skills grow. In this area, both platforms give users plenty of ways to learn through articles, videos, and webinars.
That said, CMC Markets has the edge for education overall. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #25. If you want a broker with slightly stronger educational support and a higher industry ranking, CMC Markets stands out as the better choice for beginners.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | 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 BlackBull Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #22.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its 21,710 tradeable instruments and 303 forex pairs, the largest currency lineup in the industry.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In the CMC Markets vs BlackBull Markets comparison, neither broker offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide access to trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
Comparing online brokers CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets for deposits and withdrawals: both support ACH/SEPA transfers and bank wires, CMC Markets also supports PayPal while BlackBull Markets supports Skrill, and Visa/Mastercard availability is 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| 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 | 6 | 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 (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 21710 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 303 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.3 | 1.16 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.15 | 0.76 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 65 | 109 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | CMC Markets Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
Capital.com
AvaTrade
XM
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill
HFM Markets