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 is the stronger pick on commissions and fees, earning 5 stars and a #4 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com. Its standard account has seen average EUR/USD spreads around 1.3 pips, which is higher than its advertised minimum and less competitive than before. Traders who want better pricing can use the FX Active account, where the EUR/USD average falls to about 0.65 pips plus commission, or roughly 1.15 pips all-in. CMC also stands out for having no minimum deposit, free international wires, and a relatively mild inactivity fee after a full year without trading.
BlackBull Markets is also fairly competitive, but it trails CMC on overall fees with 4.5 stars and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers. Its pricing depends on account type. The Standard account is commission-free but has wider spreads, while the Prime account offers lower trading costs, 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 per lot. For high-volume traders, the ECN Institutional account is even cheaper, with $2 per side commission and a $20,000 minimum deposit.
In plain terms, CMC Markets is better if you want the stronger overall fees profile, especially for active trading on its FX Active plan. BlackBull Markets can be a good value too, but its best pricing is tied to higher-balance accounts. If low trading costs are your main priority, CMC has the edge; if you prefer account choice and can meet the deposit requirements, BlackBull may still be worth a look.
| 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 edges ahead of BlackBull Markets for trading platforms and tools, thanks to its own in-house platform, a 5-star rating, and a higher ForexBrokers.com ranking in this category (#6 out of 36 brokers versus BlackBull’s #25). Both brokers offer a free demo account, desktop and web platforms, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and the ability to place trades directly from charts, so either choice gives traders a solid range of ways to buy and sell.
The main difference is that BlackBull Markets includes copy trading, while CMC Markets does not. That may matter if you want to follow other traders rather than trade on your own. Overall, CMC Markets is the stronger pick for platform quality and in-house technology, while BlackBull Markets may appeal more to traders who want copy trading alongside the usual desktop, web, and MetaTrader options.
| 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 a solid set of app features on iPhone and Android. Each broker offers price alerts, watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account, 30 technical studies for charting, trendline drawing, and auto-saving for chart drawings. For everyday trading needs, the two apps cover the same key tools, making it easy to track markets and manage watchlists on the go.
The main difference is in overall app quality and expert ranking. CMC Markets is rated 5 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps and is ranked #5 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #28. If mobile app performance is a major factor for you, CMC Markets has the edge, even though both brokers offer similar trading 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.
When it comes to beginner trading education, both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets give new traders plenty to work with. Each broker offers at least 10 forex or CFDs learning resources, plus monthly educational webinars and a wide selection of beginner and advanced trading videos. For someone just starting out, that means either platform can help you learn the basics of forex, CFDs, and core trading concepts in a way that is easy to access online.
CMC Markets has the edge in overall education quality. It earns a 5-star Education rating and ranks #10 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets scores 4.5 stars and ranks #24. In simple terms, both are strong choices for trading education, but CMC Markets appears to offer a slightly better learning experience for beginners who want more structured guidance and a higher-rated educational library.
| 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 Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| 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
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill