Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Markets.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.
CMC Markets and Markets.com are both seasoned players in the online brokerage industry, with CMC Markets having over three decades of experience since its founding in 1989, while Markets.com was established in 1999. A notable distinction between the two is that CMC Markets is publicly traded, offering an additional layer of transparency to its clients, whereas Markets.com remains privately held. Both platforms are not banks but provide various financial services as licensed brokerages.
When it comes to regulatory credentials, CMC Markets holds six Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, earning it a top-notch Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Markets.com operates with three Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, achieving an impressive Trust Score of 93. These scores reflect their strong regulatory standards, with CMC Markets at the pinnacle of trust and Markets.com also maintaining a high level of reliability.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
CMC Markets leads on pricing. In the 2025 ForexBrokers.com Annual Awards, it earned 5 stars and ranked #1 of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees. Typical EUR/USD spreads were 0.61 pips (Aug 2023). Its FX Active plan charges $2.50 per side with minimum spreads of 0.0, giving an all-in cost of about 0.5 pips on EUR/USD and five other pairs. FX Active is available on MT4 and Next Generation in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Southeast Asia. Notably, CMC Markets’ average spreads have tended to track its minimums closely, supporting its low-cost profile.
High-volume traders can cut costs further via CMC Markets’ Price Plus Scheme. You earn Trading Points based on monthly volume and markets traded; for example, two points per standard lot (100,000 units). Hitting 1,250 standard lots in a month reaches Tier 4, which applies a 20% spread discount.
Markets.com trails in this category with a 3.5-star rating and a #51 of 63 ranking for Commissions and Fees. Average spread data is not available, which makes direct cost comparisons harder. In a head-to-head look at pricing transparency, available pricing models, and potential discounts, CMC Markets stands out as the more cost-competitive choice for many traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| 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 | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 vs Markets.com: both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, offer copy trading, and provide cryptocurrency derivatives (but not actual crypto). Where they differ is scale. CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradeable symbols compared with 2,179 at Markets.com, and 141 forex pairs versus 57 at Markets.com. That wider menu can matter if you want to diversify across more markets, sectors, or currencies.
CMC Markets also lets you buy exchange-traded shares directly on both U.S. and international exchanges, while Markets.com does not offer exchange-traded shares (outside of CFDs). For range of investments, ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets 5/5 stars (ranked #9 of 63), and Markets.com 4/5 stars (ranked #30 of 63). If you want the broadest selection and access to actual shares as well as CFDs, CMC Markets stands out; if you mainly need CFDs with copy trading and crypto derivatives, Markets.com could still fit the bill.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 57 |
| 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 the trading platforms and tools of CMC Markets and Markets.com, both brokers offer comprehensive options for traders. Investors can enjoy simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts provided by both platforms. Furthermore, each broker has developed its proprietary platform, available for Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browsing. For traders who prefer popular third-party platforms, both CMC Markets and Markets.com offer access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, providing flexibility and familiarity. Moreover, copy trading solutions are supported by both brokers, adding another dimension to trading strategies.
CMC Markets stands out with its superior offerings for traders who value advanced features. The broker provides 36 drawing tools for charting and allows direct trading from stock charts, a feature not available with Markets.com. Additionally, CMC Markets offers more detailed watch lists with 11 columns compared to Markets.com's 6 columns. These differences likely contribute to CMC Markets' higher rating and ranking. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools and is ranked #4 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Markets.com holds a 4-star rating and ranks #27 in the same category.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both CMC Markets and Markets.com offer iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, real-time watchlists, and watchlist syncing across devices. Where they differ is charting. CMC Markets packs in 29 built-in technical studies, lets you draw trendlines, switch among multiple time frames (daily, weekly, intraday), and auto-saves your drawings. Markets.com supports trendlines and the core basics, but its own app doesn’t include built-in studies or multiple time frames, and it doesn’t auto-save drawings; if you use MT4 with Markets.com, you’ll get MT4’s default studies instead.
For overall app quality, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com holds 4 stars and ranks #34. If you value advanced charting on your phone, CMC Markets is the stronger pick; if you mainly want alerts and synced watchlists, Markets.com covers the essentials.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both CMC Markets and Markets.com offer daily commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Additionally, both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools, allowing traders to view the ratio of long or short positions across different instruments. While they share these features, a distinct advantage of CMC Markets is its integration with Autochartist, a popular tool for technical analysis and fundamental research, which Markets.com does not offer. Both platforms also lack features like Trading Central’s technical analytics and resources from TipRanks and Acuity Trading.
Both brokers provide an economic calendar to keep traders informed of global economic events. However, CMC Markets is rated higher for its research capabilities, earning a five-star rating compared to Markets.com’s four stars. This superior rating reflects in their rankings, with CMC Markets positioned at 6th place, surpassing Markets.com, which stands at 17th out of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. These distinctions make CMC Markets a more favorable choice for those who prioritize comprehensive market research tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, CMC Markets and Markets.com each have unique offerings. CMC Markets distinguishes itself with a diverse range of educational content, offering more than ten pieces focused on forex and CFDs. Additionally, they provide a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars and an extensive library of beginner and advanced trading videos. Their commitment to education is further evident with the inclusion of a comprehensive investor dictionary featuring over 50 investing terms. This dedication has earned them a stellar 5-star rating for education and a high rank of #10 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Markets.com provides regular monthly educational webinars, which CMC Markets does not offer. However, they fall short in other areas compared to their competitor. Although Markets.com does offer a decent selection of beginner and advanced videos, they lack a searchable archive of recorded webinars and an extensive investor dictionary. Their limited offering in forex and CFDs resources results in a 4-star rating for education. Markets.com is ranked lower at #34, reflecting a more modest position in comparison to CMC Markets in educational support for traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Markets.com. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both CMC Markets and Markets.com do not offer the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they each provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers CMC Markets and Markets.com, CMC Markets offers greater flexibility with ACH, SEPA, and PayPal deposit and withdrawal options, while Markets.com provides Skrill, with both platforms supporting Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions.
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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | ||
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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