Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs GBE brokers, 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.
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a well-established online broker with a strong reputation. It holds a high Trust Score of 99, as rated by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its commitment to safety and reliability. CMC Markets is publicly traded and possesses six Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly trusted, along with one Tier-2 license. Not being a bank, CMC Markets still ensures trust and security for its investors.
On the other hand, GBE brokers, established in 2013, has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 71, placing it in the average risk category. Unlike CMC Markets, GBE brokers is not publicly traded, and it holds only one Tier-1 license with no Tier-2 licenses. Also not a bank, GBE brokers may not offer the same level of trust as some more established brokers but still serves traders looking for a different option.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
CMC Markets stands out in the realm of commissions and fees, securing the #1 position in the 2025 Annual Awards by maintaining a consistently low spread offering available for all customer segments and account types. They offer competitive pricing, with typical spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, which places them above the industry average. To cater to active traders, CMC Markets has introduced the Price Plus Scheme that enables traders to avail discounts on trading costs based on trading volume and collected Trading Points. Furthermore, their FX Active pricing structure charges a commission per trade on top of competitive spreads, featuring a commission of $2.50 per side with minimum spreads of zero pips, providing a cost-effective option for avid traders.
In comparison, GBE brokers have some commendable offerings, but their commission and fee structure does not include average spread data, which makes it challenging to evaluate overall trading costs. While GBE brokers have been rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, they lag behind CMC Markets, which boasts a perfect 5-star rating in this category. Despite the absence of detailed spread information, GBE brokers may still attract traders who are exploring alternatives to CMC Markets or prefer to delve deeper into GBE’s unique offerings.
Overall, CMC Markets holds a superior rank, taking the top spot among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, while GBE brokers are positioned at #37. This higher ranking is due to CMC’s transparent and favorable pricing, combined with innovative programs tailored to reward active trading. Traders seeking the best value for their trades are likely to find CMC Markets an alluring choice, thanks to its budget-friendly spreads and robust commission and fee structure.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the diversity of investment options, CMC Markets clearly stands out compared to GBE brokers. CMC Markets offers a staggering 12,029 tradeable symbols, including 141 forex pairs, providing a wide array of choices for both novice and experienced traders. In contrast, GBE brokers offer 500 tradeable symbols with 71 forex pairs, catering to traders seeking a more limited selection. Additionally, CMC Markets provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone. However, GBE brokers do not offer investment in exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges.
Both CMC Markets and GBE brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and offer copy trading features. Additionally, they both provide options for trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. With a top rating of 5 stars for its Range of Investments, CMC Markets is ranked #9 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, GBE brokers receive a more modest 3.5 stars and are ranked #44. This indicates that CMC Markets is a more versatile choice for those looking to explore a broad spectrum of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 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 GBE brokers both offer comprehensive trading platforms and tools, but there are some key differences that might influence your choice. Both brokers provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice their strategies without financial risks. While CMC Markets boasts its own proprietary platform, GBE brokers rely solely on third-party platforms. Both brokers offer Windows-based desktop and web-based trading platforms, along with popular options like MetaTrader 4 and 5. They also support copy trading, but neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. CMC Markets shines with a wider variety of drawing tools for charting and a more comprehensive set of features for watch lists compared to GBE brokers.
When it comes to user ratings, CMC Markets scores higher with five stars, indicating a slight edge in client satisfaction for trading platforms and tools, compared to GBE brokers, which holds a four-star rating. This difference is further highlighted in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where CMC Markets is impressively placed at #4 out of 63, whereas GBE brokers stand at #57. For traders seeking advanced tools and a highly ranked platform, CMC Markets may be the better choice, while GBE brokers still offers solid, reliable services with slightly fewer features.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and GBE Brokers, both platforms offer excellent features for traders on the go. CMC Markets and GBE Brokers support iPhone and Android devices, ensuring that users can trade and stay updated using their smartphones. Both apps offer essential functionalities such as stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and the option to view multiple time frames on charts. However, one advantage of CMC Markets is watchlist symbol syncing, allowing users to seamlessly integrate their watchlists between the mobile app and their online accounts. Unfortunately, GBE Brokers lack this feature, which can be a downside for those who prioritize consistency across devices.
When it comes to advanced charting, GBE Brokers offer 30 technical studies, slightly outperforming CMC Markets' 29. Both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and auto-save chart drawings. Despite these similarities, CMC Markets earns a higher user satisfaction rating with five stars out of five, compared to GBE Brokers' four stars. This is reflected in their respective rankings, with CMC Markets placed at number five and GBE Brokers at number 57 out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. Overall, while both apps have their strengths, CMC Markets is the more highly regarded choice among traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| 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.
CMC Markets and GBE Brokers both provide daily market commentary, which keeps traders informed on market developments. However, when it comes to sourcing forex news, CMC Markets stands out by offering updates from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature not available with GBE Brokers. Additionally, CMC Markets enhances trading strategies with tools from Autochartist and a sentiment-based trading tool that showcases market positioning, both of which are valuable for traders seeking detailed insights. Conversely, GBE Brokers doesn't provide Autochartist tools, though it does offer a sentiment-based trading tool, maintaining its focus on market sentiment.
Both brokers provide economic calendars that display important news events affecting global economies, aiding traders in planning their strategies. Despite these similarities, CMC Markets earns a higher accolade with a 5-star research rating and a #6 ranking by ForexBrokers.com, affirming its comprehensive market research capabilities. In contrast, GBE Brokers receives a 3-star rating and ranks #62, indicating room for improvement in their market analysis offerings.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing educational resources for beginners, CMC Markets stands out with a wealth of materials focused on forex and CFDs. CMC Markets offers over 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also provide a searchable archive of these webinars, making it easy for beginners to revisit past lessons. Additionally, CMC Markets has a comprehensive collection of more than 10 beginner and 10 advanced trading videos, specifically designed for traders at different experience levels. Plus, they offer an investor dictionary featuring over 50 investing terms, helping newcomers understand complex market concepts. No wonder CMC Markets boasts a 5-star education rating, ranking #10 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, GBE brokers fall short in terms of educational content for beginners. They do not meet the criteria of providing at least 10 educational resources focused on forex or CFDs. Furthermore, GBE brokers do not offer online educational webinars or a searchable archive of past sessions. Their educational video offerings for both beginners and advanced traders are limited, and they lack an extensive investor dictionary. With these limitations in mind, it's not surprising that GBE brokers have an education rating of 3 stars and rank #63 out of 63 brokers in the Education category according to ForexBrokers.com. This comparison highlights CMC Markets as the more favorable choice for learning about trading, especially for those just starting.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 GBE brokers. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #57.
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
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
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Both CMC Markets and GBE Brokers do not provide options to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they each offer the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both CMC Markets and GBE Brokers provide multiple options for funding and withdrawing account funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, though only GBE Brokers supports Skrill as an additional payment method.
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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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