Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs eToro, 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 1989) and eToro (founded 2007) are online brokers that are publicly traded and not banks. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets holds a Trust Score of 99/99 and eToro scores 96/99—both fall in the highly trusted 90–99 range.
Looking at regulation, CMC Markets has 6 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, while eToro has 4 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2. Tier-1 licenses are considered highly trusted and Tier-2 trusted by ForexBrokers.com, reinforcing the strong trust ratings for both brokers.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Looking at commissions and fees, CMC Markets vs eToro is a clear contrast. CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees with ForexBrokers.com, and it also took the #1 spot in ForexBrokers.com’s 2025 Annual Awards for this category. eToro earns 4.5 stars and ranks #22 out of 63. In short: CMC Markets leans on low spreads and a strong commission-based option, while eToro charges slightly higher spreads and is chosen more for its social copy trading than raw pricing.
CMC Markets keeps costs tight across account types, posting typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.61 pips (August 2023). Its FX Active plan charges $2.50 per side with minimum spreads from 0.0, delivering an all-in cost of about 0.5 pips on EUR/USD (and several other pairs), based on August 2023 data. FX Active is available in select regions (including SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK) on both MT4 and Next Generation. Frequent traders can also lower costs via the Price Plus Scheme, which gives spread discounts based on Trading Points (e.g., 2 points per standard lot; 1,250 lots in a month unlocks a 20% discount at Tier 4). Notably, CMC’s average spreads have tended to track close to its advertised minimums.
eToro is a market maker with a typical variable EUR/USD spread of 1 pip, which is a bit higher than the industry average. Retail traders often pick eToro for its copy trading features rather than for the tightest spreads. Its eToro Club VIP program spans five tiers (Silver to Diamond) for balances from $5,000 to $250,000 and can include perks like Trading Central access, discounted deposit and withdrawal fees, and a dedicated account manager.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50-$10,000 |
| 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 | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing CMC Markets vs eToro on range of investments: CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradable symbols and 141 forex pairs, while eToro offers 7,441 symbols and 55 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as a contract for difference (CFD) or spot, buy exchange-traded U.S. stocks like Apple, and access international shares such as Vodafone. Each also supports copy trading, making it easier to mirror other investors’ strategies.
For crypto, eToro lets you buy actual cryptocurrencies as well as trade crypto CFDs, whereas CMC Markets offers crypto CFDs only. Both earn 5 stars for Range of Investments, with CMC Markets ranked #9 of 63 brokers and eToro ranked #11. In short: pick CMC Markets for the widest symbol and forex pair selection, or eToro if owning real crypto matters to you.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 7441 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 55 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | Yes |
| 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 and eToro both offer free paper trading via demo accounts, proprietary platforms, and web-based trading with the ability to place trades directly from charts. They also both support copy trading. Where they differ is platform choice: CMC Markets provides a Windows desktop platform and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while eToro does not offer a Windows download or MT4/MT5 access, focusing instead on its in-house browser platform.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets at 5 stars and ranks it 6th out of 63 brokers; eToro earns 4.5 stars and ranks 8th. In short, choose CMC Markets if you want a desktop app or MetaTrader compatibility alongside web trading, and pick eToro if you prefer a simple web experience with built-in copy trading. Since both brokers offer demo accounts, you can try each platform risk-free to see which fits your trading style.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing CMC Markets vs eToro for mobile trading apps: both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps. Each supports stock and forex price alerts, and both sync watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, so changes carry across devices for seamless on-the-go trading.
Charting is where they diverge. eToro provides 104 technical studies in its app, while CMC Markets offers 29. However, CMC Markets lets you draw trendlines and automatically saves your chart drawings; eToro lacks both features. According to ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, CMC Markets is rated 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers, while eToro is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #10. Choose eToro if you want a large set of indicators, or CMC Markets if drawing tools and saved annotations matter more.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing CMC Markets vs eToro for market research, both brokers deliver daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus a sentiment tool and an economic calendar. In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets earned 5 stars and ranked #6 out of 63 brokers for Research, while eToro received 4.5 stars and ranked #13. If you want steady news flow and everyday insights, either platform covers the basics well.
The bigger differences show up in research tools. CMC Markets includes Autochartist for pattern recognition and trade ideas, while eToro does not. On the other hand, eToro offers Trading Central tools and TipRanks analyst insights, which CMC Markets lacks. Neither broker provides Acuity Trading tools. In short, choose CMC Markets if you value chart-driven signals from Autochartist, or pick eToro if you prefer Trading Central strategies and TipRanks data alongside its broad social trading experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
CMC Markets and eToro both give beginners plenty to learn from. Each broker offers at least 10 beginner-focused videos, plus at least 10 advanced videos you can grow into, making it simple to start with the basics and move on to more complex trading lessons at your own pace.
If you want live guidance, eToro hosts online client webinars at least once a month, while CMC Markets does not run regular live sessions. Independent ratings differ: CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers, while eToro earns 4.5 stars and ranks #3. In short, choose eToro for frequent live webinars and a top-tier education ranking, or pick CMC Markets for the highest education score and strong video learning paths for beginners.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | 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 eToro. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while eToro finished with an overall rank of #9.
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
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
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CMC Markets vs eToro: both brokers support cryptocurrency CFDs, but only eToro lets you buy and hold actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, while CMC Markets limits crypto access to CFDs.
CMC Markets and eToro both support ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, but only eToro also supports Skrill.
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 | eToro | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | eToro Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | eToro | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 7441 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50-$10,000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | eToro Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | eToro | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | eToro Review |
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