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FOREX.com vs CMC Markets 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

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

FOREX.com
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $100
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 5500 info
CMC Markets
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 12029

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

Comparing FOREX.com vs CMC Markets for safety and regulation: FOREX.com was founded in 1999 and CMC Markets in 1989; both are publicly traded companies and neither is a bank. Each earns a 99/99 Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com, which falls in the “highly trusted” range (90–99).

On regulatory oversight, FOREX.com holds 7 Tier-1 (highly trusted) and 2 Tier-2 (trusted) licenses, while CMC Markets holds 6 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2. Both are considered very safe choices, with FOREX.com carrying a slightly broader set of top-tier approvals.

Feature FOREX.com logoFOREX.com
CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Year Founded info 1999 1989
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes Yes
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 7 6
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 0

Fees

When it comes to commissions and fees, CMC Markets comes out ahead of FOREX.com for most traders. CMC Markets is rated 5 stars and ranked #4 out of 36 brokers for the Commissions and Fees category, thanks to its low average spreads and pricing that stays close to its advertised levels. Its FX Active pricing can also bring the all-in cost on EUR/USD down to about 0.5 pips after commission, which makes it a strong choice for cost-conscious forex traders.

FOREX.com is still a solid option, but it tends to be a bit more expensive overall. It is rated 4.5 stars and ranked #15 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees. Its Standard account has higher spreads, especially in the U.S., while its RAW account offers tighter spreads with a per-trade commission. For active traders, the RAW account can help reduce costs, but for many U.S. clients the total trading cost ends up being similar to the Standard account unless monthly volume is very high.

In simple terms, CMC Markets is usually the better pick if low trading costs are your main priority, while FOREX.com may appeal more to traders who want different account types, execution choices, or platform options. Both brokers have fee structures that can work well depending on how often you trade and which account you choose.

Feature FOREX.com logoFOREX.com
CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $100 $0
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.00 info 1.3 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.13 info 0.65 info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes Yes
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

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Range of investments

FOREX.com and CMC Markets both give traders access to forex as CFDs or spot contracts, and both also let clients trade exchange-listed shares in the U.S. and overseas, along with cryptocurrency CFDs. Neither broker lets you buy actual, delivered crypto. In this area, both are rated 5 stars for range of investments, showing they each cover the core markets many traders look for.

CMC Markets has the wider selection overall, with 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, compared with 5,500 symbols and 80 forex pairs at FOREX.com. CMC Markets also offers copy trading, while FOREX.com does not. Even so, FOREX.com still stands out with a strong selection of instruments and ranks higher in ForexBrokers.com’s range of investments category, placing #6 out of 36 brokers versus CMC Markets at #9.

Feature FOREX.com logoFOREX.com
CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 5500 info 12029
Forex Pairs (Total) info 80 141
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes Yes
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
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

FOREX.com and CMC Markets both give traders a strong set of trading platforms and tools, including free demo accounts for simulated trading, their own in-house platforms, and both Windows desktop and web-based trading options. Each broker also supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and both let you place trades directly from charts. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, both brokers earned 5 out of 5 stars, with FOREX.com ranked #5 out of 36 brokers and CMC Markets ranked #6.

The main difference is copy trading: CMC Markets offers it, while FOREX.com does not. For traders looking for platform choice and chart-based trading tools, both brokers are well matched overall, but CMC Markets may appeal more to those who want copy trading as part of their setup. If that feature matters to you, CMC Markets has the edge; otherwise, either broker is a solid pick for platform access and trading tools.

Feature FOREX.com logoFOREX.com
CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
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 No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 90 73
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

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

Forex trading apps

FOREX.com and CMC Markets both make mobile trading easy for iPhone and Android users, and each app includes price alerts, watchlist sync, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. Both brokers also earn top marks for mobile trading apps, with a 5-star rating. That means either platform can work well if you want to trade on the go and keep your watchlists and chart changes updated across devices.

The main difference is in charting depth. FOREX.com offers 90 technical studies in its mobile app, while CMC Markets offers 29. That gives FOREX.com the edge for traders who want more tools for mobile chart analysis. This difference shows up in rankings too: FOREX.com is ranked #2 out of 36 brokers for mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, compared with CMC Markets at #5.

Feature FOREX.com logoFOREX.com
CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
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 90 29
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

FOREX.com and CMC Markets both deliver strong market research tools for traders. Each broker offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, a sentiment tool showing long and short positioning, and an economic calendar with current and upcoming global events. Both are rated 5 stars for Research, but CMC Markets is ranked slightly higher by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #6 out of 36 brokers, while FOREX.com is #7.

The main difference is in third-party research features. FOREX.com includes Trading Central tools, such as technical analysis support, while CMC Markets does not. On the other hand, CMC Markets offers Autochartist, which FOREX.com does not. Neither broker includes TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools, so the choice may come down to whether you prefer Trading Central with FOREX.com or Autochartist with CMC Markets.

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

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

FOREX.com and CMC Markets both give beginners plenty of learning material, with each offering at least 10 beginner videos, 10 advanced videos, and a 5-star Education rating from ForexBrokers.com. Both brokers also provide forex or CFDs education with at least 10 dedicated educational pieces, so new traders can find core lessons on trading topics at either platform. In this area, the two brokers are close, but FOREX.com has a slight edge based on its stronger overall ranking for Education, placing #4 out of 36 brokers compared with CMC Markets at #10.

One key difference is live learning support. FOREX.com offers online educational client webinars at least once a month, while CMC Markets does not. For beginners who want regular guidance and the chance to learn from live sessions, FOREX.com may be the better fit. CMC Markets still provides a wide range of trading education, but FOREX.com appears to offer a more active learning experience for those just starting out.

Feature FOREX.com logoFOREX.com
CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Webinars info Yes No
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 FOREX.com is better than CMC Markets. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #4, while CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5.

FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.

Feature FOREX.com logoFOREX.com
CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
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 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 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 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with FOREX.com or CMC Markets?

Online brokers FOREX.com and CMC Markets do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Comparing deposit and withdrawal methods, both FOREX.com and CMC Markets support ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wires; only FOREX.com offers Skrill (CMC Markets does not), and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.

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Overall Rating FOREX.com CMC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 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 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 99
Winner check_circle
Review FOREX.com Review CMC Markets Review
Broker Screenshots FOREX.com CMC Markets
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
FOREX.com mobile app trading from charts. FOREX.com web platform charts. FOREX.com market news analysis. FOREX.com education beginner courses
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.
Regulation FOREX.com CMC Markets
Trust Score info 99 99
Year Founded info 1999 1989
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes Yes
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 7 6
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) FOREX.com CMC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes Yes
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info Yes No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes Yes
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info Yes No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No Yes
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) FOREX.com CMC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No No
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info Yes Yes
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info No
Investments FOREX.com CMC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 5500 info 12029
Forex Pairs (Total) info 80 141
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes Yes
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
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 FOREX.com CMC Markets
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.00 info 1.3 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.13 info 0.65 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes Yes
Order execution: Agency info No No
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding FOREX.com CMC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $100 $0
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes Yes
Trading Platforms FOREX.com CMC Markets
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools FOREX.com CMC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 90 73
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading FOREX.com CMC Markets
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 90 29
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research FOREX.com CMC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info No Yes
Trading Central info Yes No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education FOREX.com CMC Markets
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs FOREX.com CMC Markets
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 FOREX.com Review CMC Markets Review
Overall FOREX.com CMC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 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 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 99
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Review FOREX.com Review CMC Markets Review
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