Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Earn, 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 Earn are both noteworthy online brokers, but they differ significantly in their trust and regulatory standings. CMC Markets, established in 1989 and publicly traded, garners a top Trust Score of 99 as rated by ForexBrokers.com, signifying a high level of trust. It holds 6 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, marking it as a well-regulated entity across major regions. In contrast, Earn, founded in 1994 and not publicly traded, has a Trust Score of 71, placing it in the average risk category. It operates with 1 Tier-1 license and does not hold any Tier-2 licenses, suggesting a narrower regulatory reach compared to CMC Markets.
Both brokers are not banks, meaning they purely focus on trading services without banking functions. Their regulatory footprints underline distinct levels of security, with CMC Markets clearly leading with extensive licenses and a higher trust rating. These differences in regulatory oversight make CMC Markets a more reassuring choice for those prioritizing safety and reliability in their online trading activities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1994 |
| 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 | 0 |
CMC Markets stands out as the top choice for low trading costs, earning the #1 spot in the 2025 Annual Awards for Commissions and Fees. With a focus on delivering competitive pricing, CMC Markets offers an average spread of just 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD. Their innovative Price Plus Scheme benefits active traders by offering discounts through Trading Points, which are accrued based on the volume and type of trades executed each month. Additionally, CMC Markets’ FX Active program, available in regions like Southeast Asia, Australia, and the U.K., features a commission-based pricing structure with a zero pip minimum spread and a $2.50 commission per trade, bringing the all-in trading cost for EUR/USD to a mere 0.5 pips.
On the other hand, Earn has not provided average spread data, making direct comparisons with CMC Markets challenging. Nonetheless, Earn holds a four-star rating for commissions and fees, positioning it at #46 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. While Earn has certain qualities that may appeal to traders, it doesn’t quite compete with the cost-effectiveness and transparency offered by CMC Markets.
Overall, in terms of commissions and fees, CMC Markets outshines Earn, offering superior pricing options and an excellent five-star rating. For traders seeking low-cost forex trading, CMC Markets’ strategic pricing initiatives and consistent spread offerings make it a leader in the industry.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| 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 vs Earn: both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot and both support copy trading. Each also offers cryptocurrency as CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto. Where they differ is scale. CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, while Earn offers 500 symbols and 61 pairs. For Range of Investments, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Earn scores 3.5 stars and ranks #46.
CMC Markets also lets you buy exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges—so you can purchase shares like Apple or Vodafone directly—while Earn does not provide access to exchange-traded stocks. In short, CMC Markets is suited to investors who want broad market access, while Earn may fit traders who prefer a simpler lineup focused on core markets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
Comparing CMC Markets vs Earn for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer free demo (paper) accounts, copy trading, trading from charts, and access to web and Windows desktop platforms. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). A key difference is that CMC Markets also provides its own in-house platform, while Earn relies on third-party options. Both include charting with technical indicators and watchlists, though details vary by platform.
For quality and breadth, CMC Markets stands out: it’s rated 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Earn is rated 4 stars and ranks #52. In short, choose CMC Markets if you want an in-house platform alongside MT4/MT5 and strong chart trading, while Earn covers the essentials with MT4/MT5, web, and desktop access plus a demo and copy trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 35 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and Earn both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each supports price alerts. A key difference is watchlist syncing: CMC Markets syncs your watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while Earn does not—an important convenience if you switch between phone and desktop during the day.
For charting, Earn offers 35 technical studies compared with 29 at CMC Markets. Both apps let you draw trendlines and automatically save your drawings. In independent evaluations, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Earn holds 4 stars and ranks #28. Choose Earn if you want a larger set of indicators, or pick CMC Markets for smoother cross-device workflow and a higher-rated overall mobile experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
For market research, both CMC Markets and Earn deliver the essentials: daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones, and an economic calendar. Where they differ is in extra tools. CMC Markets includes Autochartist for pattern and setup ideas and offers a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions. Earn does not provide Autochartist or a sentiment tool, and neither broker integrates Trading Central. CMC Markets does not include TipRanks or Acuity Trading; Earn’s support for TipRanks or Acuity Trading isn’t specified.
Independent ratings back up these differences: CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Earn is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #39. If you want more built-in trading ideas and crowd sentiment, CMC Markets has an edge; if you mainly need news, commentary, and a calendar, Earn covers the basics.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Acuity Trading | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners comparing CMC Markets and Earn, CMC Markets stands out for on-demand learning. It offers at least 10 beginner-focused trading videos and at least 10 advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up. Earn doesn’t meet those thresholds, so its video library is more limited for both new and experienced traders. Neither broker hosts monthly educational webinars, so live sessions aren’t a differentiator here.
Ratings back up the difference in depth and structure: CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Earn holds 3.5 stars and ranks #63 out of 63. If you want clear, video-based guidance to build your forex and CFD trading knowledge, CMC Markets is the stronger choice; Earn may suit those who don’t need many videos or live classes.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
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 Earn. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Earn finished with an overall rank of #50.
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
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
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CMC Markets vs Earn: both online brokers do not offer buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but each supports trading cryptocurrency CFDs, making them better suited for CFD-focused crypto traders rather than investors seeking real coins.
Compared to Earn, CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals but not Skrill, while Earn offers Skrill and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal, with Visa/Mastercard availability not specified for either.
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 | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Earn | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1994 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 35 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 35 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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