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.
CMC Markets, founded in 1989, is a well-established online broker with a strong reputation for reliability. It is publicly traded, which adds a level of transparency to its operations. CMC Markets holds an impressive number of Tier-1 licenses — a total of five — reflecting its high standard of regulatory compliance and earning it the coveted ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99. Additionally, CMC Markets holds one Tier-2 license, further solidifying its trusted status among investors.
In contrast, GBE brokers, which entered the market in 2013, does not enjoy the same level of recognition and transparency, as it is not publicly traded. It holds one Tier-1 license, a significant mark of trust, but lacks any Tier-2 licenses. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 71 out of 99, GBE brokers presents a higher risk compared to CMC Markets. Both brokers are not banks, meaning they focus solely on brokerage services rather than offering banking options.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 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 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 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 comparing CMC Markets and GBE brokers in terms of their range of investments, CMC Markets offers a significantly broader variety of options. CMC Markets provides clients access to 11,925 tradeable symbols and 156 forex pairs. This is a stark contrast to GBE brokers, which offers around 500 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs. Moreover, CMC Markets stands out by allowing investors to buy and sell exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling direct investments in companies like Apple and Vodafone. In comparison, GBE brokers do not offer this capability. Both brokers, however, offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, as well as the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both CMC Markets and GBE brokers support copy trading, catering to those who prefer to follow seasoned traders. Despite this shared feature, CMC Markets earns a higher rating of 5 stars for its range of investments, whereas GBE brokers achieve a lower rating of 3.5 stars. CMC Markets is also highly ranked, taking the 9th position out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com, while GBE brokers sits at 44th. This comparative analysis highlights CMC Markets as the more favorable choice for investors seeking diverse investment opportunities and access to a wide array of financial markets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 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 significant features for traders seeking versatile platforms and tools. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading with simulated markets. CMC Markets stands out with its proprietary platform, delivering a customized experience for its users, while GBE Brokers utilizes popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5. Both brokers support a Windows-based desktop download and web-based trading platforms, offering flexibility for users to trade from various devices. Additionally, both provide copy trading features, which allow traders to mimic the strategies of successful investors.
When it comes to charting, CMC Markets surpasses GBE Brokers by offering 40 drawing tools compared to GBE's 15. CMC also leads with 11 fields for watch lists, enhancing personalized tracking, while GBE offers 7. Both platforms allow direct trading from stock charts, a feature highly sought by active traders. Overall, CMC Markets earns an impressive 5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, securing the #4 rank out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas GBE Brokers holds a 4-star rating and is positioned at #57. These distinctions highlight CMC Markets as a more comprehensive choice for traders seeking advanced tools and an innovative platform experience.
| 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) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 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.
When it comes to market research, CMC Markets clearly stands out with its comprehensive offerings. Both CMC Markets and GBE Brokers provide daily market commentary and feature an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news events. However, CMC Markets elevates the experience by including forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, something GBE Brokers doesn't offer. Additionally, CMC Markets supports traders with tools from Autochartist, providing further technical and fundamental research capabilities, while GBE Brokers lacks these features.
Both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools, which provide valuable insights into the ratio of long to short positions across different instruments. However, CMC Markets secures a higher research rating of 5 stars due to its robust offerings, compared to GBE Brokers' 3-star rating. This difference is reflected in their rankings, with CMC Markets ranking #6 out of 63 brokers for research, whereas GBE Brokers finds itself at #62. In conclusion, CMC Markets provides a more enriched and broad research experience compared to GBE Brokers, making it a preferred choice for those prioritizing market insights.
| 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 | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | 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
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|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5 | 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) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 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 | 0.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 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 | $500 | |
| 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) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 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 | 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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