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CMC Markets vs Charles Schwab 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Charles Schwab, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

CMC Markets
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 12029
Charles Schwab
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 40000

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.

Regulation

CMC Markets, established in 1989, and Charles Schwab, founded in 1971, stand as two prominent online brokers in the financial market. Both companies are publicly traded, reflecting a high level of transparency and accountability. While CMC Markets is exclusively a brokerage, Charles Schwab operates as both a broker and a bank, offering a more comprehensive range of financial services. In terms of trust and regulation, both brokers hold the highest Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating a strong reputation for reliability.

When comparing regulatory credentials, CMC Markets holds six Tier-1 licenses, underscoring its commitment to adhering to the highest regulatory standards. In comparison, Charles Schwab maintains five Tier-1 licenses. CMC Markets also possesses one Tier-2 license, while Charles Schwab has none. These details highlight the robust regulatory frameworks both firms adhere to, guaranteeing a trustworthy trading experience for their clients.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Year Founded info 1989 1971
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes Yes
Bank info No Yes
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 5
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 0

Fees

CMC Markets earns 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers. It was the 2025 Annual Awards winner for Commissions and Fees, driven by consistently tight pricing. Typical spreads were 0.61 pips on EUR/USD in August 2023, and its FX Active plan charges $2.50 per side with minimum spreads of 0.0 pips, delivering about a 0.5‑pip all‑in cost on EUR/USD and several other majors. CMC’s Price Plus Scheme can lower costs further for high‑volume traders via spread discounts tied to Trading Points.

Charles Schwab earns 4 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #23 out of 63 brokers. Schwab charges no commissions on forex; you pay the bid/ask spread, which averaged 1.35 pips on EUR/USD in October 2024 (toward the higher end of industry averages). There’s no minimum deposit for its main accounts, and thinkorswim lists overnight financing in a built‑in calculator. For the Schwab Global account, currency conversion fees typically range from 0.2% to 1% when funding in a different currency.

Bottom line: CMC Markets is generally cheaper for active forex traders thanks to lower typical spreads and the FX Active 0.5‑pip all‑in pricing on major pairs. Schwab’s $0‑commission structure is simple, but its wider average spreads can make trade‑to‑trade costs higher compared with CMC Markets.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.27 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info 1.27 info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes Yes
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

CMC Markets vs Charles Schwab: both brokers cover a wide range of investments and support forex trading (via CFDs or spot). CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, while Charles Schwab offers about 40,000 symbols and 73 forex pairs. Each lets you buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. markets (like Apple) and on international exchanges (like Vodafone). CMC Markets includes copy trading; Charles Schwab does not. Neither broker lets you buy actual cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency as CFDs.

For breadth, both CMC Markets and Charles Schwab earn 5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments. In category rankings from ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab places #5 out of 63 brokers, and CMC Markets ranks #9.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 40000
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 73
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes Yes
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

CMC Markets and Charles Schwab both deliver powerful trading platforms and tools for everyday investors. Each broker offers free paper trading (virtual demo accounts), proprietary platforms, a Windows desktop platform, a web-based platform you can use in your browser, and the ability to place trades directly from a chart. Both are top-rated with 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, with CMC Markets ranked #6 and Charles Schwab ranked #7 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.

Key platform differences tilt in CMC Markets’ favor if you want more ways to trade: CMC supports copy trading and offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while Charles Schwab does not support copy trading or MetaTrader. If you value social-style trading and MetaTrader compatibility, CMC Markets stands out. If you prefer sticking with a broker’s own platforms and toolset, Charles Schwab remains a strong pick.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 374
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

Comparing CMC Markets vs Charles Schwab for mobile trading: both offer iPhone and Android apps with stock and forex price alerts, synced watchlists that mirror your online account, and chart tools that let you draw trendlines with drawings saved automatically. Both are rated 5 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps.

The key difference is charting depth. CMC Markets includes 29 technical studies in its mobile charts, while Charles Schwab offers 374—better for traders who want a very large indicator library. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings of 63 brokers, CMC Markets placed #5 for Mobile Trading Apps and Charles Schwab placed #6.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 374
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

CMC Markets and Charles Schwab both deliver strong market research with daily market commentary, top-tier forex news (from sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones), and a detailed economic calendar. Neither integrates Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. The key differences: CMC Markets includes Autochartist for technical patterns and a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, while Schwab does not offer these specific tools.

Both brokers earn 5 stars for Research. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings of 63 brokers, Charles Schwab places #5 and CMC Markets comes in at #6. Choose CMC Markets if you value built-in trade-idea generation and sentiment data; pick Charles Schwab if you want a top-ranked overall research experience with daily insights and premium news.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes No
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

For beginner traders comparing CMC Markets and Charles Schwab, both brokers shine for on‑demand learning. Each offers at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos that explain trading concepts in clear steps, so you can build skills at your own pace. Where they differ is live instruction: Charles Schwab hosts online educational webinars at least once a month, while CMC Markets does not schedule regular client webinars.

Both brokers earn 5 out of 5 stars for Education from ForexBrokers.com, though Schwab ranks higher overall (#6 of 63) than CMC Markets (#10 of 63). If you prefer live classes and Q&A, Schwab is the stronger fit; if you’re focused on a large library of videos you can watch anytime, either broker will serve beginners well.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Webinars info No Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than Charles Schwab. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6.

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 logoCMC Markets
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 99
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with CMC Markets or Charles Schwab?

CMC Markets vs Charles Schwab: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading instead of owning the coins directly.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Comparing online brokers CMC Markets and Charles Schwab: both support ACH/SEPA transfers and bank wires, neither supports Skrill, CMC Markets supports PayPal while Charles Schwab does not, and Visa/Mastercard availability is unspecified for both.

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Overall Rating CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 99
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review Charles Schwab Review
Broker Screenshots CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
CMC Markets Next Generation mobile trade ticket order. CMC Markets Next Generation web platform layout light theme CMC Markets research weekly outlook detail. CMC Markets OPTO Podcast.
Schwab thinkorswim mobile forex charting. Schwab thinkorswim desktop forex trading. Schwab research weekly market analysis YouTube video detail. Schwab education courses technical analysis.
Regulation CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Trust Score info 99 99
Year Founded info 1989 1971
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes Yes
Bank info No Yes
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info No
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 5
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes No
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes Yes
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No Yes
Japan (FSA Authorised) info No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes Yes
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No Yes
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info No
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) info Yes
India (SEBI Authorised) info No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 40000
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 73
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes Yes
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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 Charles Schwab
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.27 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info 1.27 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info No Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes No
Funding CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes Yes
Trading Platforms CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes No
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 374
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 374
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Webinars info No Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs CMC Markets Charles Schwab
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review CMC Markets Review Charles Schwab Review
Overall CMC Markets Charles Schwab
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 99
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review Charles Schwab Review
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