Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs FP 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.
CMC Markets (founded 1989) and FP Markets (founded 2005) are both rated highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, with Trust Scores of 99 and 90 out of 99, respectively (scores from 90–99 are considered highly trusted). CMC Markets is publicly traded, while FP Markets is not; neither broker is a bank.
On regulation, CMC Markets holds six Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, compared with FP Markets’ two Tier-1 and one Tier-2. More Tier-1 licenses indicate oversight by more top-tier regulators, which may matter to traders focused on strong regulatory coverage.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2005 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
CMC Markets is the stronger choice for commissions and fees, earning 5 stars and ranking #4 out of 36 brokers with ForexBrokers.com. It stands out for its consistently low spreads across all account types, including an average EUR/USD spread of about 0.61 pips, plus its FX Active pricing that can bring all-in EUR/USD trading costs down to 0.5 pips. CMC Markets also offers an active trader discount program, which can lower costs further for higher-volume traders.
FP Markets is also a low-cost broker, but it trails CMC Markets on overall pricing, with a 4.5-star rating and a #11 out of 36 brokers ranking. Its Raw ECN account is the best value, with very tight spreads and a commission-based model that can keep forex costs low, while its Standard account is more expensive. FP Markets can still be a good fit for cost-conscious traders, but the savings are strongest for those using its commission-based accounts rather than its standard pricing.
In simple terms, both brokers are competitive, but CMC Markets offers the better overall mix of low spreads and pricing flexibility for most traders. FP Markets can be attractive for active traders who want ECN-style pricing, yet CMC Markets edges it out on consistency, average costs, and category ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 AUD |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.9 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets vs FP Markets for range of investments, CMC Markets has the wider selection overall. It offers 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, compared with FP Markets’ 10,000 symbols and 71 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and both also offer copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. Neither broker lets clients buy delivered cryptocurrency.
CMC Markets stands out further because it offers exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, so clients can buy real shares such as Apple or Vodafone. FP Markets does not offer exchange traded securities on these exchanges. This broader product lineup helps explain why CMC Markets is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers, while FP Markets is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #17.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 71 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
CMC Markets and FP Markets both give traders a wide choice of platforms and tools, including a free demo account, a proprietary trading platform, web-based access, and a Windows desktop download. Each broker also supports copy trading, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and trading directly from charts, making either option a good fit for traders who want flexibility across devices and styles.
For trading platforms and tools, CMC Markets has the edge. ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets 5 out of 5 stars and ranks it #6 out of 36 brokers, while FP Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #22. If you want the stronger overall platform experience, CMC Markets stands out, but FP Markets still offers a strong set of trading tools for everyday traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and FP Markets both make mobile trading easy, with iPhone and Android apps available, plus stock and forex price alerts for traders who want updates on the go. Each app also lets you draw trendlines on charts and saves those drawings automatically, which is helpful if you switch between devices or return to a chart later.
The bigger difference is in chart tools and app syncing. CMC Markets offers watchlist symbol syncing between its mobile app and online account, along with 29 technical studies in its app charts, which gives it a stronger edge for active chart users. FP Markets does not offer watchlist syncing in the same way, and its mobile charting is based on MetaTrader’s default setup. That helps explain why CMC Markets is rated 5 stars for mobile trading apps and ranked #5 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while FP Markets is rated 4 stars and ranked #20.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | MetaTrader (Default) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and FP Markets both give traders a strong set of market research tools, including daily market commentary, forex news from top sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Autochartist, sentiment data, and an economic calendar. This means both brokers make it easier to follow key market events, spot possible trading ideas, and keep track of trader positioning across instruments.
The main difference is that FP Markets also offers Trading Central, while CMC Markets does not. Even so, CMC Markets edges ahead overall with a 5-star Research rating and a #6 ranking out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared with FP Markets’ 4-star Research rating and #22 ranking. For traders who want a slightly broader research offering, FP Markets may appeal, but CMC Markets has the stronger overall research score.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| 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 CMC Markets and FP Markets give new traders plenty of material to explore, including at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos on trading topics. Both brokers also offer forex and CFD education with a wide range of articles, videos, and similar resources, making it easier for beginners to learn the basics and build confidence over time. In this area, CMC Markets stands out with a 5-star Education rating and a #10 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, while FP Markets is rated 4 stars and ranked #22.
The biggest difference is live learning support. FP Markets offers online educational webinars at least once a month, which can be especially helpful for beginners who want to learn directly from market experts and ask questions in real time. CMC Markets does not offer monthly educational webinars, so while its video and article library is stronger on paper, FP Markets may appeal more to beginners who value regular live sessions as part of their learning journey.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FP Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while FP Markets finished with an overall rank of #19.
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
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FP Markets
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and FP Markets, neither offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
CMC Markets vs FP Markets: both support PayPal and bank wire deposits/withdrawals; CMC Markets additionally offers ACH/SEPA transfers (which FP Markets doesn’t), while FP Markets supports Skrill (which CMC Markets doesn’t); Visa/Mastercard availability for both is not specified.
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 | FP Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | FP Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2005 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.9 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 AUD | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | MetaTrader (Default) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FP Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | FP Markets Review |
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