Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs PU Prime, 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 the stronger choice on regulation and trust compared with PU Prime, which was founded in 2015. CMC Markets is publicly traded, while PU Prime is not, and neither broker is a bank. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets has a Trust Score of 99 out of 99, placing it in the highly trusted range.
On licensing, CMC Markets holds 6 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, while PU Prime has 1 Tier-1 license and 2 Tier-2 licenses. PU Prime’s Trust Score is 79 out of 99, which puts it in the average risk range. Overall, CMC Markets offers a higher level of regulatory oversight and market transparency than PU Prime.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2015 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
CMC Markets comes out ahead on commissions and fees overall, thanks to its pricing consistency and low-cost FX Active option. On the standard account, spreads are still competitive but not the cheapest, with EUR/USD averaging 1.3 pips versus an advertised 0.8 pip minimum. Traders who want tighter pricing can opt into FX Active, where the all-in EUR/USD cost is about 1.15 pips after commission. CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #3 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
PU Prime offers a wider choice of account types, which may appeal to different trading styles. Its Standard and Cent accounts keep costs inside the spread, with starting spreads from 1.3 pips and no separate commission. For active traders, the Prime account starts at 0.0 pips with a $7 round-trip commission, while the ECN account lowers that to $2 round trip, but requires a much higher minimum deposit. PU Prime is rated 4.0 stars and ranks #22 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
In simple terms, CMC Markets is the stronger pick if your main goal is lower overall trading costs, especially for forex. PU Prime may suit beginners or traders who want more account choices, but its best-priced accounts still depend on commissions and higher minimum deposits. If fees are your main concern, CMC Markets has the edge.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50.00 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.15 | 0.9 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets offers a much wider range of investments than PU Prime, making it a stronger choice for traders who want more variety. CMC Markets lists 21,710 tradeable symbols and 303 forex pairs, compared with PU Prime’s 1,000 symbols and 55 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, and both offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual delivered crypto.
CMC Markets also stands out because it offers exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, so clients can buy real shares such as Apple or Vodafone. PU Prime does not offer these exchange-traded shares, but it does include copy trading, which CMC Markets does not. Overall, CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers, while PU Prime gets 4.0 stars and ranks #29.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 21710 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 303 | 55 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 PU Prime both give traders a strong range of platform choices, including free demo accounts, web-based trading, desktop downloads for Windows, and access to both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each broker also lets you trade directly from charts, which can make order entry quicker and easier. The main difference is that CMC Markets also offers its own in-house trading platform, while PU Prime does not. That gives CMC Markets an extra option for traders who want a more tailored platform experience.
When it comes to extra trading tools, PU Prime stands out for copy trading, a feature CMC Markets does not offer. Still, CMC Markets scores higher overall for trading platforms and tools, with a 5-star rating and a #6 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with PU Prime’s 4.0-star rating and #25 ranking. In short, both brokers cover the basics well, but CMC Markets has the edge for platform variety and overall tools, while PU Prime may appeal more to traders interested in copy trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 65 | 87 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets comes out ahead of PU Prime for mobile trading apps overall. Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. However, CMC Markets gives mobile users a more complete experience with watchlist symbol syncing, so changes made in the app carry over to the online account, while PU Prime does not offer this feature. CMC Markets also provides more technical studies in its mobile charts, with 30 compared with PU Prime’s 14.
In third-party ratings, CMC Markets is the stronger choice for mobile trading, earning 5 stars and ranking #5 out of 36 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category from ForexBrokers.com. PU Prime still offers a solid app setup and earns 4.0 stars, but it ranks lower at #27 out of 36. If mobile chart tools, synced watchlists, and a higher app rating matter to you, CMC Markets has the edge over PU Prime.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 14 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, CMC Markets has the edge over PU Prime. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, an economic calendar, and Autochartist tools, so traders at either firm can keep up with key events and spot possible trade ideas. PU Prime also includes Trading Central research, while CMC Markets stands out by offering forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus a sentiment tool that shows how traders are positioned across currency pairs and other markets.
Overall, CMC Markets is rated higher for research, earning 5 out of 5 stars and ranking #6 out of 36 brokers with ForexBrokers.com. PU Prime is still useful for everyday market updates, but its research offering is more limited, with a 3.5-star rating and no listed ForexBrokers.com ranking in this category. If research depth matters to you, CMC Markets is the stronger choice.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for trading education, both CMC Markets and PU Prime offer a good range of learning tools. Each broker provides forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces, plus online educational webinars at least once a month. They also both have at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so new traders and more experienced users can find material that fits their level.
That said, CMC Markets stands out as the stronger choice for education. It is rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while PU Prime is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #29. For beginners who want more highly rated learning support and a wider sense of confidence in the broker’s education offering, CMC Markets has the edge over PU Prime.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
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 PU Prime. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while PU Prime finished with an overall rank of #34.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its 21,710 tradeable instruments and 303 forex pairs, the largest currency lineup in the industry.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 |
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When comparing CMC Markets vs PU Prime for cryptocurrency trading, both online brokers do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but each does provide access to cryptocurrency CFDs instead.
CMC Markets and PU Prime both support ACH/SEPA transfers and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but CMC Markets also offers PayPal while PU Prime offers Skrill, making each broker stronger for different preferred payment methods.
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 | PU Prime | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | PU Prime Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2015 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 21710 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 303 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.3 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.15 | 0.9 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | ||
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50.00 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 65 | 87 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 14 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | PU Prime Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | PU Prime | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | PU Prime Review |
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