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) - Spread-only account | 1.00 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.13 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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.
When it comes to range of investments, both FOREX.com and CMC Markets give traders access to forex, U.S. exchange-traded shares, international exchange-traded shares, and cryptocurrency CFDs. Neither broker offers copy trading or the ability to buy delivered cryptocurrency, but both do let clients trade forex as either a CFD or spot contract. Each also earns a 5-star rating for Range of Investments, showing that both platforms offer a wide mix of products for many types of traders.
The main difference is size. CMC Markets offers a much larger total selection, with 21,710 tradeable symbols and 303 forex pairs, compared with 5,500 symbols and 80 forex pairs at FOREX.com. Even so, FOREX.com ranks higher in ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, placing #6 out of 36 brokers versus #9 for CMC Markets. In short, CMC Markets offers more choice overall, while FOREX.com still stands out as a strong all-around option.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 21710 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 303 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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 offer a wide range of trading platforms and tools that will suit many types of traders. Each broker provides a free demo account for simulated trading, plus both a proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. They also support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and both let you place trades directly from charts. Neither broker offers copy trading, so if that feature matters to you, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
When it comes to platform quality, both brokers are highly rated, earning 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools. FOREX.com holds a slight edge in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, coming in at #5 out of 36 brokers, while CMC Markets follows closely at #6. In short, the two are very evenly matched for platform choice and trading tools, with FOREX.com ranked just a bit higher overall.
| 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 | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 65 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FOREX.com and CMC Markets both perform well for mobile trading, with iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, watchlist syncing, trendline drawing, and auto-saved chart drawings available on each platform. Both brokers also earn a top 5-star rating for mobile trading apps, so either one can be a solid choice if you want to trade on the go.
The biggest difference is charting depth. FOREX.com offers 90 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with 30 at CMC Markets, which gives FOREX.com the edge for traders who want more tools for mobile chart analysis. That stronger app feature set also shows in rankings: FOREX.com is rated #2 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, while CMC Markets ranks #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 | 30 |
| 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.
When it comes to beginner-friendly learning, both FOREX.com and CMC Markets give new traders plenty of ways to get started. Each broker offers forex and CFDs education with at least 10 learning materials, along with regular online webinars, 10 or more beginner videos, and 10 or more advanced videos for traders who want to keep building their skills. Both are rated 5 out of 5 stars for Education, so either platform can be a solid choice for someone looking for trading lessons in a clear, easy-to-follow format.
The main difference shows up in industry rankings: FOREX.com is ranked #4 out of 36 brokers for Education by ForexBrokers.com, while CMC Markets comes in at #10. That means both brokers score highly, but FOREX.com has a slight edge in overall education support. For beginners comparing online brokers, FOREX.com may offer a bit more depth and visibility in its learning resources, while CMC Markets still provides a strong set of educational tools for learning forex and CFD trading.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | 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 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
|
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 | 21710 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 303 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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) - Spread-only account | 1.00 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.13 | N/A | |
| 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 (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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 | No | |
| 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 | 65 | |
| 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 | 30 | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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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