Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs FOREX.com, 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.
Both CMC Markets and FOREX.com are highly respected online brokers with top-tier trust scores, each earning a perfect rating of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Founded in 1989, CMC Markets boasts a long-standing presence in the financial industry and is publicly traded, though it is not a bank. It holds five Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a high level of regulatory trust, and one Tier-2 license. FOREX.com, established in 1999, also maintains a public trading status without being a bank, and it surpasses CMC Markets with seven Tier-1 licenses, alongside one Tier-2 license.
Both brokers demonstrate strong regulatory compliance, making them trustworthy choices for online trading. Their public trading status and acquisition of multiple Tier-1 licenses highlight their commitment to transparency and security. Each broker offers a reliable platform backed by years of experience and regulatory oversight, providing traders with confidence in their financial transactions and investments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 7 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of CMC Markets and FOREX.com, CMC Markets stands out with its top ranking and a 5-star rating in the Commissions and Fees category. Known for its consistently low spreads, CMC Markets has introduced competitive pricing models such as the FX Active, offering commission-based pricing with spreads as low as zero pips. This structure leads to an all-in cost of 0.5 pips on the EUR/USD, appealing to various customer segments and account types. Their active trader program, the Price Plus Scheme, also offers spread discounts based on trading volume, providing further cost efficiencies.
FOREX.com, while also providing multiple execution methods and a variety of account types, is slightly more expensive compared to the industry average. Rated 4.5 stars and ranked 13th in the Commissions and Fees category, FOREX.com’s pricing structures vary with location and account type. Its Standard account typically offers higher spreads, but the RAW account provides competitive spreads of 0.13 pips for the EUR/USD, though this incurs additional commissions. Volume-based rebates are available on the RAW Spread account, rewarding high-volume traders with reduced costs.
Ultimately, both brokers offer unique advantages. CMC Markets excels by maintaining low spreads and introducing favorable pricing schemes, making it a leading choice for traders looking for cost-effective options. FOREX.com, while offering sophisticated account options and transparent execution statistics, tends to benefit traders able to meet high monthly trading volumes to leverage rebates and reduced spreads effectively. CMC Markets remains a preferred choice for lower overall trading costs, especially for traders focused solely on the EUR/USD currency pair.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.4 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.9 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets and FOREX.com both provide traders with extensive options for forex trading, allowing forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract. CMC Markets, however, stands out with a more expansive selection, offering a staggering 11,925 tradeable symbols compared to FOREX.com's 5,500. For forex pairs specifically, CMC Markets provides access to 156 pairs, overshadowing FOREX.com's offering of 80 pairs. This extensive range allows traders to potentially exploit more market opportunities across different currencies.
Additionally, CMC Markets offers exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, which means clients can directly invest in major companies like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, FOREX.com does not offer exchange-traded securities on these exchanges, focusing instead on forex and CFD trading. Both brokerages offer cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither provides an option to buy actual cryptocurrency. CMC Markets also supports copy trading, enhancing its appeal to beginners and those looking to follow seasoned traders, a feature not present at FOREX.com. Despite their differences, both platforms are highly rated for their range of investments, with CMC Markets receiving a five-star rating and ranking ninth, while FOREX.com ranks slightly higher at seventh according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 80 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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.
CMC Markets and FOREX.com both shine when it comes to their trading platforms and tools. They each offer proprietary platforms developed in-house, providing traders with a comprehensive experience that includes Windows-based desktop downloads and convenient web-based platforms. With the ability to trade directly from stock charts on both platforms, users can engage in efficient trading processes. For traders interested in simulated trading, both brokers offer a free virtual demo account, making it easy for beginners to practice and hone their skills. While CMC Markets provides copy trading functionality, FOREX.com does not, which might sway those who are interested in social trading features.
When it comes to advanced charting, CMC Markets offers 40 drawing tools, while FOREX.com impresses with 239 drawing tools, providing a richer set of options for technical analysis enthusiasts. Both brokers support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, ensuring users have access to trusted trading environments. CMC Markets offers more streamlined watch lists with 11 fields, while FOREX.com provides more detailed options with 20 fields. Both companies are highly rated with 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, but CMC Markets ranks slightly higher at #4, compared to FOREX.com's #7 ranking by ForexBrokers.com. Whether you prioritize advanced charting tools or ease of use, both brokers offer compelling options for different trading needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 88 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 239 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 20 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and FOREX.com both offer user-friendly mobile trading apps available on iPhone and Android devices. Both platforms provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to sync watchlists with online accounts, and options for drawing trendlines on charts. In terms of charting capabilities, FOREX.com offers more in-depth technical studies with 88 options compared to CMC Markets' 29. Both apps provide the convenience of viewing multiple time frames and auto-saving chart drawings. Additionally, creating watchlists with real-time quotes is possible on both platforms.
When evaluating their performance in the industry, CMC Markets and FOREX.com each hold a strong 5-star rating for their mobile trading apps. However, FOREX.com edges ahead slightly in industry rankings, coming in at third place among 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas CMC Markets holds fifth place. Both platforms are reliable choices, with FOREX.com offering a slight advantage in terms of technical analysis tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 88 |
| 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 evaluating market research options, CMC Markets and FOREX.com both offer valuable resources for traders, though there are some distinctions. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. CMC Markets shines in offering technical analysis tools from Autochartist and provides a sentiment-based trading tool. However, it does not feature tools from Trading Central, unlike FOREX.com, which includes them. Both platforms offer economic calendars to keep traders updated on global news events, though neither provides research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
In terms of ratings, CMC Markets receives a 5-star rating for its research offerings, while FOREX.com is rated 4.5 stars. This slightly higher rating is mirrored in their rankings, with CMC Markets securing the #6 position among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to FOREX.com’s #9 spot. These ratings highlight CMC Markets' stronger emphasis on providing comprehensive research tools, making it a slightly more attractive choice for traders who prioritize extensive research options in their online broker. However, both brokers are solid choices offering a wealth of information vital for informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 comparing the educational resources offered by CMC Markets and FOREX.com, both platforms provide a wealth of materials for beginner traders interested in forex and CFDs. CMC Markets and FOREX.com each offer over 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, ensuring a strong foundation for newcomers. Both platforms also feature a searchable archive of recorded webinars. However, FOREX.com stands out by hosting live educational webinars at least once a month, a feature CMC Markets does not offer.
For beginner traders specifically, both CMC Markets and FOREX.com provide at least 10 videos to help novices grasp trading basics. Advanced traders are also well-catered for, with each platform delivering more than 10 advanced educational videos. Additionally, both brokers support learning with an investor dictionary containing over 50 terms. Despite FOREX.com's additional webinar offerings, CMC Markets is rated slightly higher at 5 stars compared to FOREX.com's 4.5 stars for education. Interestingly, FOREX.com ranks higher in the education category at #4, while CMC Markets sits at #10 among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 FOREX.com. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5.
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
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
| Range of Investments |
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Neither CMC Markets nor FOREX.com offers the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, both platforms provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, making them suitable choices for those interested in derivatives over direct cryptocurrency ownership.
Both CMC Markets and FOREX.com support a variety of funding methods, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa and Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither offer Skrill for deposit or withdrawal.
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 | FOREX.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 7 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | Yes | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 80 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.4 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 20 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 88 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 239 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 88 | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | FOREX.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | FOREX.com Review |
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