Written by ForexBrokers.com
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.
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.
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
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1989 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
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
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.65 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
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
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 12029 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 141 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
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
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 73 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
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
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 29 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
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
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
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
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| 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 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
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CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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Online brokers FOREX.com and CMC Markets do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
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.
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 | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1989 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 12029 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 141 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.65 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 73 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 | 29 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | CMC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | CMC Markets Review |
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