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.
When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and Eightcap, both have distinctive features concerning their establishment, trading status, and regulatory credentials. Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a publicly traded company listed on a stock exchange, which tends to enhance transparency and trust. Eightcap, on the other hand, began its operations in 2009 and remains privately owned. Neither company is a bank, ensuring both focus primarily on providing trading services. This difference in establishment and ownership might influence trader preferences, especially those seeking more or less public corporate scrutiny.
From a regulatory standpoint, CMC Markets stands out with its impressive 99 Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its highly trusted status. This is supported by its acquisition of five Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, which signify high levels of regulatory compliance. Eightcap, though considered trusted with a Trust Score of 85, holds three Tier-1 licenses but lacks Tier-2 licenses. The distinctions in regulatory oversight between CMC Markets and Eightcap suggest different levels of assurance for traders seeking a reliable trading environment.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
In a comprehensive analysis of online brokers, CMC Markets stands out for its exceptional commission and fee structures, earning the top position in our 2025 Annual Awards for its outstanding low spread offerings. With consistently competitive pricing, CMC Markets features an average spread of 0.61 pips on EUR/USD, surpassing the industry average. The newly introduced Price Plus Scheme and FX Active pricing structure provide significant savings through discounts and highly competitive spreads, resulting in a remarkable five-star rating and a #1 ranking for Commissions and Fees among 63 brokers.
Eightcap presents a different model with two types of accounts: a commission-based Raw account and a spread-only Standard account. The Raw account offers an average spread of 0.06 pips, but after adding a per-side commission of $3.50, the all-in cost rises to about 0.76 pips. While slightly more costly compared to the most economical forex brokers, Eightcap maintains competitiveness with its spread offerings. It received a four-star rating and a respectable #26 ranking in the Commissions and Fees category out of 63 brokers.
When deciding between CMC Markets and Eightcap, potential users must consider their trading strategies and priorities. CMC Markets appeals to those who seek leaders in cost efficiency with its extended spread and commission model across various platforms, while Eightcap draws traders interested in a straightforward choice between spread-only and commission-based accounts, albeit at a slightly higher expense. Both platforms excel in tailored offerings, but CMC Markets sets the bar in terms of pricing advantages.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.0 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets to Eightcap in terms of investment options, CMC Markets stands out with a much broader selection. CMC Markets offers a staggering 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, giving traders a vast array of choices. In contrast, Eightcap provides access to 800 tradeable symbols and 56 forex pairs. Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs, and neither supports purchasing actual cryptocurrency, although they do provide cryptocurrency derivatives. Importantly, only CMC Markets facilitates investments in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase shares from companies like Apple and Vodafone, while Eightcap does not.
Moreover, CMC Markets and Eightcap both support copy trading, catering to traders who wish to mirror the strategies of successful investors. In terms of accolades, CMC Markets receives a perfect five-star rating for its range of investments, positioning it as a top contender at #9 out of 63 brokers. Meanwhile, Eightcap earns a 3.5-star rating, ranking #40 in the range of investments category by ForexBrokers.com. This comparison highlights CMC Markets' extensive range of investment opportunities and higher industry recognition, offering a more diversified trading experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 800 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing CMC Markets to Eightcap, both brokers offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, providing a useful space for newcomers to practice. CMC Markets stands out by having developed its own proprietary platform, whereas Eightcap relies on third-party options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both of which are also supported by CMC Markets. Both brokers cater to traders who favor Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based trading via browsers, offering flexibility in how users engage with the markets. Furthermore, features like copy trading are available with both, though neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade integrations.
In terms of charting tools, CMC Markets provides an edge with 40 drawing tools compared to Eightcap’s 15, enhancing its chart analysis capabilities. Additionally, CMC Markets offers 11 columns for watch lists, supporting more comprehensive market tracking than Eightcap’s 7 columns. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, simplifying the trading process. CMC Markets excels in platform ratings, garnering a 5-star rating and a 4th place ranking out of 63 brokers for its trading platforms and tools, while Eightcap earns a 4-star rating and sits at 38th place. This indicates a slightly higher level of satisfaction with the trading experience offered by CMC Markets among users.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and Eightcap, both platforms offer apps for iPhone and Android users. They support features such as stock and forex price alerts, syncing of watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Charting is well-supported by both brokers, with CMC Markets providing access to 29 technical studies, while Eightcap offers 30. Users can also view multiple time frames and enjoy the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings. Furthermore, both apps provide the functionality to create watchlists with real-time quotes, helping traders stay updated on market movements.
However, there are notable differences in user ratings and rankings. CMC Markets shines with a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, ranking #5 out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Eightcap garners a respectable 4-star rating, placing it at the #38 spot. This suggests that while both apps are robust in functionality, CMC Markets may offer a more polished or user-friendly experience according to client reviews and industry evaluations. Whether you prioritize comprehensive chart features or user rankings, both CMC Markets and Eightcap provide strong mobile trading solutions for various investment needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 CMC Markets and Eightcap for their market research offerings, both platforms provide daily market commentary, ensuring traders stay updated with real-time insights. However, CMC Markets has a distinct advantage with its access to forex news from respected sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while Eightcap does not offer the same level of news coverage. Additionally, CMC Markets provides advanced technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which are absent from Eightcap’s resources. Both brokers share a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar that outlines global news events, which support informed trading decisions.
Despite some similarities, CMC Markets' comprehensive range of research tools and news sources results in a higher research rating of 5 stars, compared to Eightcap's 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their respective rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where CMC Markets secures the 6th position out of 63 brokers for research, while Eightcap is positioned at 39th. Overall, CMC Markets offers a more extensive suite of market research capabilities, making it a stronger choice for traders seeking in-depth analysis and insights.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| 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 beginners, CMC Markets and Eightcap both offer over ten pieces of educational content focused mainly on forex and CFDs. This includes articles, videos, or archived webinars designed to help newcomers. Beginners can access educational videos on trading topics through both platforms, as each offers at least ten specifically catered to this audience. Additionally, both brokerages provide a searchable archive of recorded webinars and have an investor dictionary with over fifty investing term definitions. However, neither CMC Markets nor Eightcap offers live monthly educational webinars, which could be a downside for those looking for ongoing live support.
Despite some similarities, there are important differences that set these two brokers apart in terms of educational offerings. CMC Markets excels with its collection of advanced educational videos, offering more than ten tailored for experienced traders, a resource Eightcap does not match. This distinction might contribute to CMC Markets receiving a higher education rating, earning 5 stars compared to Eightcap’s 3.5 stars. In the wider landscape of online brokers tracked by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets ranks impressively at 10th place in education, while Eightcap lags behind at 40th. For beginners seeking a comprehensive educational platform, CMC Markets offers a more well-rounded selection of resources.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 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
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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Both CMC Markets and Eightcap do not offer the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies but provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets supports ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but not Skrill, while Eightcap provides options for PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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 | 5 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| 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 (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 800 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.0 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 | |
| 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 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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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