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.
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets boasts a long history in the financial trading industry, and is a publicly traded entity. It holds an impressive 6 Tier-1 licenses and an additional Tier-2 license, earning it the highest Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This score categorizes CMC Markets as a highly trusted broker. Although it is not a bank, its comprehensive regulatory backing provides strong assurance for traders seeking security and credibility in an online broker.
In comparison, BlackBull Markets was established more recently in 2014 and is not publicly traded. It offers a singular Tier-1 license, without Tier-2 credentials, which reflects its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score rating of 78 out of 99. This places BlackBull Markets within the average risk category. Though it is not considered high risk, traders might find greater peace of mind with brokers that possess more extensive regulatory oversight.
| 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 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 | 1.3 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 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 both offer extensive investment options for traders. CMC Markets provides access to 12,029 tradeable symbols, while BlackBull Markets surpasses this with 26,000 symbols. When it comes to forex trading, both brokers offer it as a CFD or spot contract. However, CMC Markets stands out with 141 tradeable forex pairs compared to BlackBull Markets’ 72 pairs. Both platforms allow investors to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, ensuring the ability to invest in notable stocks like Apple and Vodafone.
For those interested in modern trading options, both brokers support copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, though they do not offer the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of their range of investments, both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets are rated highly with 5 stars. Nonetheless, BlackBull Markets slightly edges out CMC Markets in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, positioned at #6 compared to CMC Markets' #9, indicating a slightly broader investment offering.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 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.
CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets are both appealing options for traders seeking comprehensive trading platforms and tools, with several similarities and differences to consider. Both brokers provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, which is a helpful feature for beginners to practice risk-free. Additionally, both offer Windows-based and web-based trading platforms, ensuring flexibility for traders who prefer desktop or browser access. However, CMC Markets distinguishes itself with a proprietary platform developed in-house, whereas BlackBull Markets does not have this feature. For those interested in copy trading, both brokers deliver this capability, yet only BlackBull Markets offers ZuluTrade, expanding the range of copy trading tools available.
In terms of charting and analytical tools, CMC Markets provides 36 drawing tools, while BlackBull Markets offers a more extensive selection with 60. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, which traders may find convenient. When examining watchlist functionalities, CMC Markets supports up to 11 columns for fields, compared to BlackBull Markets' six, potentially offering more customizable watchlists. Ratings and rankings reflect these distinctions, with CMC Markets achieving a 5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, ranking 4th out of 63 brokers, while BlackBull Markets, with a solid 4-star rating, comes in at 30th position. These factors together make CMC Markets a slightly preferred choice for those who prioritize advanced platform features and a broader array of charting tools.
| 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) | 73 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets offer impressive mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users. They provide essential features such as price alerts for stock and forex, as well as watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring seamless transitions between mobile devices and online accounts. Traders who favor extensive analysis will appreciate that CMC Markets offers 29 technical studies in its app, while BlackBull Markets provides a slight edge with 30. Both platforms facilitate the drawing of trendlines and allow users to explore different time frames like daily, weekly, or intraday. Furthermore, both apps automatically save chart drawings and support the creation of watchlists complete with real-time quotes.
When it comes to user ratings and rankings, CMC Markets shines with a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, whereas BlackBull Markets holds a commendable 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets stands out by ranking 5th out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, reflecting its broad approval among users and experts. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets secures the 32nd position, which still denotes a solid performance but suggests there is room for improvement compared to its competitor. Overall, both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets offer reliable mobile trading solutions, but CMC Markets appears to have a slight upper hand in overall satisfaction and 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 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| 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 | 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 (SFC 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/Central Bank 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) | 12029 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 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 | 1.3 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 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) | 73 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 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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