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 and GBE Brokers offer different experiences when it comes to commissions and fees. CMC Markets stands out for its low spread offerings across all customer segments and account types, earning it the top spot in the 2025 Annual Awards for Commissions and Fees with a five-star rating. Typical spreads at CMC Markets are 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, showing competitive pricing. Their active trader program, the Price Plus Scheme, provides discounts based on trading volume, making it ideal for high-volume traders. The FX Active pricing structure adds another layer of competitiveness with commission-based pricing, offering spreads down to zero pips with commissions as low as $2.50 per side, resulting in an overall cost of 0.5 pips on currency pairs like EUR/USD.
GBE Brokers, on the other hand, holds a slightly lower four-star rating and ranks 37th out of 62 brokers in the same category, according to ForexBrokers.com. While average spread data for GBE Brokers isn't readily available, it's clear that CMC Markets has a pricing advantage for traders focused on minimizing costs. Those considering GBE Brokers might find other features or services appealing, but when narrowing down by fees and commissions, CMC Markets emerges as a more cost-effective choice.
Overall, CMC Markets distinguishes itself as a leader in offering low trading costs through innovative programs and transparent pricing. While GBE Brokers may offer a competitive environment for some, CMC Markets excels in providing pricing schemes that cater well to both casual and active traders alike, solidifying its top ranking in the commissions and fees category.
| 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.
CMC Markets and GBE Brokers are two well-known names in the world of online trading, each offering a variety of investment options for traders. CMC Markets boasts an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, along with the option to trade exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. They also provide copy trading and access to cryptocurrency derivatives, although not the actual cryptocurrencies. In contrast, GBE Brokers provides access to 500 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs. They also offer copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives; however, they do not facilitate the purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges.
When it comes to the range of investments, CMC Markets is rated five stars, achieving a remarkable 9th place ranking out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. This high ranking is due to their extensive offering of tradable instruments, catering to a diverse set of trading needs. GBE Brokers, on the other hand, is rated 3.5 stars and is ranked 44th by the same source, reflecting a more limited selection of investment options. This comparison highlights the significant differences between these two brokers, helping traders decide which platform best aligns with their investment strategy.
| 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.
When comparing CMC Markets and GBE brokers for trading platforms and tools, both offer simulated trading via free virtual demo accounts, making it easy for newcomers to practice. CMC Markets stands out with its proprietary platform, whereas GBE brokers provide pre-existing solutions. Both brokers support various platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and 5, along with web and Windows-based options. They also both offer copy trading features, broadening trading strategies for users. However, neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
CMC Markets offers a rich suite of features for active traders, including 40 drawing tools for charting and the ability to customize watch lists with 11 columns. In comparison, GBE brokers offer fewer drawing tools and watch list columns. CMC Markets ranks highly for trading platforms and tools, receiving a 5-star rating and placing 4th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, GBE brokers achieve a solid, though lesser, 4-star rating and are ranked 57th in the same category. For those who prioritize detailed charting functions and customization, CMC Markets may be the preferable choice.
| 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 it comes to mobile trading apps, both CMC Markets and GBE brokers offer solid options for iPhone and Android users. Each app provides stock or forex price alerts and enables traders to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, CMC Markets stands out with its ability to sync watchlists between the mobile app and the user's online account, a feature that GBE brokers lacks. For chart enthusiasts, both apps support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames. CMC Markets offers 29 technical studies for chart analysis, while GBE brokers edges slightly ahead with 30.
Overall, the user ratings and rankings underscore the effectiveness of these mobile trading platforms. CMC Markets shines with a 5-star rating and a #5 ranking out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, GBE brokers maintains a respectable 4-star rating but lands at #57 in the same ranking. While both apps are capable trading tools, CMC Markets offers a little more in terms of features and recognition in the mobile trading landscape.
| 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 comparing CMC Markets to GBE brokers based on their offerings for market research, several key differences become apparent. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, which is a great resource for traders seeking up-to-date information. However, CMC Markets stands out by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature that GBE brokers lacks. Additionally, CMC Markets benefits its users with tools from Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis, which are absent in the GBE brokers' offerings. Both brokers do, however, include sentiment-based trading tools as well as economic calendars, ensuring traders have access to important trading metrics and schedules.
The overall research capabilities of these brokers are reflected in their ratings, where CMC Markets receives a high score of 5 stars, indicating comprehensive resources and satisfaction among users. On the other hand, GBE brokers is rated only 3 stars, demonstrating potential areas for enhancement. Notably, CMC Markets secures a strong position of #6 out of 62 brokers for research according to ForexBrokers.com, while GBE brokers falls significantly behind at #61. This comparison highlights that CMC Markets provides a more comprehensive suite of research tools and resources for traders, making it a preferred choice for those prioritizing market analysis.
| 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 the educational resources available for beginners at CMC Markets and GBE brokers, CMC Markets clearly takes the lead. CMC Markets offers a variety of learning materials, with more than 10 educational pieces covering forex and CFDs. Their platform includes an expansive archive of webinars that can be easily searched, plus a wide range of videos crafted especially for beginners. Furthermore, CMC Markets supplies educational videos for those who are more advanced, ensuring that traders at different levels have access to appropriate learning materials. They even provide an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, making complex financial jargon more understandable for new investors.
In contrast, GBE brokers fall short in these areas. They do not meet the minimum threshold of 10 pieces of educational content focused on forex or CFDs, and they lack both live educational webinars and archival access to past webinars. Additionally, GBE brokers do not provide a series of beginner-focused videos or a comprehensive investor dictionary. This lack of resources contributes to their lower educational rating of 3 stars compared to CMC Markets' 5-star rating. In terms of overall standing, CMC Markets ranks 10th in education among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, while GBE brokers come in last at 62nd. Aspiring traders may find that CMC Markets' educational offerings are significantly more conducive to learning and development in the trading world.
| 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 62 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 #56.
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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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 | 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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