Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Eightcap, 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 Eightcap are both prominent players in the online brokerage world, each with unique features and histories. CMC Markets, founded in 1989 and publicly traded, holds a prestigious position with a perfect Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, making it highly trusted. The broker is backed by six Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, ensuring a dependable trading environment. In contrast, Eightcap, established in 2009 and privately owned, has a Trust Score of 85, signifying a trusted status with slightly more risk. Eightcap holds three Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its commitment to regulatory compliance.
While both brokers are not banks, their foundational years, public status, and regulatory standings set them apart. The fact that CMC Markets is publicly traded may provide additional transparency and investor confidence. Meanwhile, Eightcap's multiple Tier-1 licenses attest to its dedication to maintaining industry standards, even if it doesn't have the same level of licenses as CMC Markets. Traders can view these regulatory factors as critical elements when choosing between the two for their trading needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Comparing commissions and fees, CMC Markets comes out ahead of Eightcap. In ForexBrokers.com’s 2025 Annual Awards, CMC Markets ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees and holds a 5-star rating, while Eightcap ranks #27 out of 63 with a 4-star rating. Both offer low-cost options, but CMC Markets tends to deliver lower all-in trading costs across more scenarios.
CMC Markets offers consistently tight pricing with typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.61 pips (August 2023). Its FX Active plan charges $2.50 per side with minimum spreads of 0.0, producing a 0.5-pip all-in cost on EUR/USD and five other major pairs (based on August 2023 data). The standard NZD/USD spread of 1.5 pips can drop to a 0.5-pip all-in cost with FX Active. Active traders can also tap the Price Plus Scheme: you earn Trading Points based on volume (e.g., 2 points per standard lot), with a 20% spread discount at Tier 4 after 1,250 standard lots in a month.
Eightcap provides two account types: the commission-based Raw account and the spread-only Standard account. For the Raw account, Eightcap lists a 0.06-pip average spread; after adding the $3.50 per-side commission, the all-in cost is about 0.76 pips—just below the industry average of 0.8 pips. While competitive, Eightcap is slightly pricier than the very lowest-cost brokers, which is reflected in its 4-star rating and #27 ranking for Commissions and Fees.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.0 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.76 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets vs Eightcap: both brokers let you trade forex (CFD or spot) and support copy trading, plus both offer cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual crypto). The bigger difference is depth. CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradeable instruments and 141 forex pairs, while Eightcap offers 803 instruments and 55 forex pairs. CMC Markets also allows you to buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges (think Apple or Vodafone), which Eightcap doesn’t support. If stock ownership alongside CFDs matters to you, CMC Markets has the edge.
Independent ratings underscore this gap. For Range of Investments, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers, while Eightcap scores 3.5 stars and ranks #41. In short, choose CMC Markets for a wider investment menu and share dealing on global markets; pick Eightcap if you’re focused on a smaller CFD lineup that still covers forex, indices, commodities, and crypto CFDs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 803 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 55 |
| 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.
CMC Markets vs Eightcap: both brokers cover core needs for trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo account, a web platform, a Windows desktop app, copy trading, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and the ability to place trades directly from charts. The key difference is that CMC Markets also provides a proprietary, in-house platform, while Eightcap sticks to third-party options. Exact counts for chart indicators and watch list columns weren’t provided, but both include standard charting and monitoring features.
Independent scores tip the scales toward CMC Markets: it earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools at ForexBrokers.com, versus Eightcap’s 4 stars and #39 ranking. If you want a strong in-house platform alongside MT4/MT5, CMC Markets is the better fit. If you prefer trading on MT4/MT5 with copy trading and a free demo, Eightcap is a straightforward alternative.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets vs Eightcap: both brokers offer iPhone and Android trading apps with stock or forex price alerts, watchlist syncing between mobile and web, and charting tools that let you draw trendlines with drawings auto-saved. For technical studies, CMC Markets includes 29 indicators, while Eightcap offers 30. In short, each app covers the core features traders expect for on-the-go analysis and execution.
Ratings tip the scales toward CMC Markets. It earns 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Eightcap holds 4 stars and ranks #39 out of 63. If you want a higher-rated mobile experience, choose CMC Markets; if you prefer similar features with one extra indicator, Eightcap is a practical alternative.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and Eightcap both cover the basics of market research with daily market commentary, a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. The key differences are in premium tools and news. CMC Markets delivers forex news from top-tier sources (such as Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones) and includes Autochartist for technical analysis. Neither broker offers Trading Central or TipRanks. Eightcap doesn’t carry a top-tier news feed or Autochartist, but it does add Acuity Trading tools (e.g., Signal Centre), which CMC Markets does not provide.
For overall research quality, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Eightcap is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #40. Pick CMC Markets if premium news and Autochartist matter most; choose Eightcap if you value Acuity Trading signals alongside standard research features.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
CMC Markets and Eightcap both cater to beginner traders with easy-to-follow video lessons (10+ each) that explain core trading ideas in forex and CFDs. The key difference is live learning: Eightcap hosts monthly educational webinars, while CMC Markets does not—useful if you prefer interactive sessions and Q&A.
For moving beyond the basics, CMC Markets offers 10+ advanced video lessons, whereas Eightcap does not provide the same depth for experienced topics. Independent reviews back this up: CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com; Eightcap holds 3.5 stars and ranks #40. In short, Eightcap suits beginners who want regular webinars, while CMC Markets is stronger for a video-led path from beginner to advanced.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Eightcap. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Eightcap finished with an overall rank of #38.
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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Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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CMC Markets vs Eightcap: these online brokers do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Comparing deposit and withdrawal methods, CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers but not Skrill (Visa/Mastercard availability not specified), whereas Eightcap supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA (Visa/Mastercard availability not specified).
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 | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Eightcap Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 803 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 55 | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.0 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.76 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 29 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Eightcap Review |
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