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CMC Markets vs OANDA 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs OANDA, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

CMC Markets
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 12029
OANDA
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 92
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 4172 info

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.

Regulation

CMC Markets (founded 1989) and OANDA (founded 1996) are both non-bank online brokers, but their corporate structures differ: CMC Markets is publicly traded, while OANDA is not. According to ForexBrokers.com, a Trust Score of 90–99 is considered highly trusted; CMC Markets scores 99/99 and OANDA scores 92/99, placing both in that top trust range.

On regulation, CMC Markets holds 6 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 1 Tier-2 license (trusted), while OANDA holds 7 Tier-1 licenses and 0 Tier-2 licenses. In short, CMC Markets combines a 99 Trust Score with a public listing, and OANDA carries one additional Tier-1 license.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
OANDA logoOANDA
Year Founded info 1989 1996
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 7
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1

Fees

When it comes to commissions and fees, CMC Markets is the stronger choice overall. It earns a 5-star rating and ranks #4 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, thanks to consistently low spreads across account types. Its typical EUR/USD spread was 0.61 pips based on August 2023 pricing data, and its FX Active pricing can bring all-in trading costs down to about 0.5 pips on major pairs after commission. CMC also offers discounts for active traders through its Price Plus Scheme, which can lower costs further for high-volume clients.

OANDA is more expensive for most forex traders, with a 4-star rating and a #30 ranking out of 36 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category. Its standard pricing has historically shown higher effective spreads, such as an average EUR/USD spread of 1.61 pips in July 2024. OANDA does offer a core pricing option with lower spreads plus commission, but it requires a $10,000 minimum deposit and still may not beat the lowest-cost brokers once fees are included.

In simple terms, CMC Markets is the better pick if low trading costs are your main goal, while OANDA may appeal more to traders who value its execution model, micro-lot trading size, and rebate program for active accounts. For most cost-conscious forex traders, CMC Markets offers the clearer fee advantage.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
OANDA logoOANDA
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.68 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info 1.69 info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes Yes info
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

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Range of investments

When comparing CMC Markets and OANDA for range of investments, both brokers give traders access to forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract, plus exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges. Each also supports copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs, so users can trade popular markets in more than one way. Both platforms provide a wide mix of assets, but CMC Markets offers a much larger selection overall, with 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, compared with OANDA’s 4,172 symbols and 69 forex pairs.

The biggest difference is in crypto and overall market breadth. OANDA lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency, while CMC Markets does not offer delivered crypto, only crypto CFDs. Still, CMC Markets comes out ahead on range of investments, earning 5 stars and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, versus OANDA’s 4.5 stars and #20 ranking. For traders who want the widest choice of markets, CMC Markets has the edge, while OANDA may appeal to those who want actual crypto access as part of a solid all-around offering.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
OANDA logoOANDA
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes info
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 4172 info
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 69
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes Yes
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes info
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes Yes info
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.

Trading platforms and tools

CMC Markets and OANDA both give traders a wide range of platform options, including a free demo account for simulated trading, their own in-house platforms, Windows desktop downloads, web-based platforms, copy trading, and support for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both brokers also let you trade directly from a chart, which can make order placement quicker and more convenient for active traders.

When it comes to trading platforms and tools, CMC Markets has the edge overall. ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets 5 out of 5 stars and ranks it #6 out of 36 brokers, while OANDA is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #16. For traders comparing online broker platforms, both are solid choices, but CMC Markets stands out as the stronger pick for platform features and trading tools.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
OANDA logoOANDA
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes info
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes info
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 89
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

CMC Markets and OANDA both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts, trendline drawing, and automatic saving of chart drawings. Each broker also earns a 5-star rating for mobile trading apps, showing that both platforms give traders a strong mobile experience for managing trades and tracking the market on the go.

The main difference is in watchlist syncing and chart tools. CMC Markets lets users sync watchlists between the mobile app and online account, while OANDA does not. OANDA offers slightly more technical studies in its mobile charting tools, with 30 compared with CMC Markets’ 29. Even so, CMC Markets ranks higher overall for mobile trading apps at #5 out of 36 brokers, ahead of OANDA at #7.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
OANDA logoOANDA
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

CMC Markets and OANDA both offer a strong set of market research tools for traders. Each broker provides daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Autochartist tools, sentiment data that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar with global events. Neither broker includes Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading research tools, so their research offerings are very similar in the areas most traders use day to day.

When it comes to overall research quality, both CMC Markets and OANDA are rated 5 out of 5 stars. That said, OANDA edges ahead in ForexBrokers.com’s research ranking, placing #4 out of 36 brokers compared with CMC Markets at #6. For traders looking for clear market updates and practical research features, both brokers are solid choices, with OANDA holding a slight lead on ranking.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
OANDA logoOANDA
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes Yes
Trading Central info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

For beginners looking for trading education, both CMC Markets and OANDA provide plenty of learning material, and each earns 5 out of 5 stars for Education. They also both offer at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so new and more experienced traders can find content that matches their level. CMC Markets also offers forex and CFDs education with at least 10 pieces focused on those topics, which can help beginners build a better base in the markets.

Where OANDA stands out is live learning: it offers online educational client webinars at least once a month, while CMC Markets does not. Even so, CMC Markets ranks higher overall for Education, coming in at #10 out of 36 brokers, compared with OANDA at #18. In simple terms, CMC Markets may appeal more to self-paced learners, while OANDA may be a better fit for beginners who want regular webinar access alongside standard educational content.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
OANDA logoOANDA
Webinars info No Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than OANDA. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while OANDA finished with an overall rank of #13.

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 logoCMC Markets
OANDA logoOANDA
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 92
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with CMC Markets or OANDA?

OANDA vs CMC Markets: OANDA lets traders buy real (delivered) cryptocurrencies and trade crypto CFDs, while CMC Markets limits crypto access to CFDs only and does not offer actual delivered crypto.

What funding options does each broker offer?

CMC Markets vs OANDA: both brokers support ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, only OANDA adds Skrill, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.

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Overall Rating CMC Markets OANDA
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 92
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review OANDA Review
Broker Screenshots CMC Markets OANDA
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
CMC Markets Next Generation mobile trade ticket order. CMC Markets Next Generation web platform layout light theme CMC Markets research weekly outlook detail. CMC Markets OPTO Podcast.
OANDA fxTrade mobile trading app charting OANDA Trade web platform. OANDA's website features research in the form of its MarketPulse blog, which includes news, analysis, and articles. The OANDA website's educational hub features webinars and videos covering current events and financial analysis.
Regulation CMC Markets OANDA
Trust Score info 99 92
Year Founded info 1989 1996
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 7
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) CMC Markets OANDA
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes Yes
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info No Yes
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes Yes
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No Yes
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) CMC Markets OANDA
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No No
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info Yes No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments CMC Markets OANDA
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes info
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 4172 info
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 69
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes Yes
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes info
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes Yes info
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 OANDA
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.68 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info 1.69 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes Yes
Order execution: Agency info No No
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding CMC Markets OANDA
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes Yes info
Trading Platforms CMC Markets OANDA
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes info
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes info
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools CMC Markets OANDA
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 89
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading CMC Markets OANDA
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research CMC Markets OANDA
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes Yes
Trading Central info No No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education CMC Markets OANDA
Webinars info No Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs CMC Markets OANDA
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review CMC Markets Review OANDA Review
Overall CMC Markets OANDA
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 92
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review OANDA Review
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