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CMC Markets vs Questrade 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Questrade, 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
Questrade
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 85
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 675

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 vs. Questrade: For safety and regulation, ForexBrokers.com uses a 99-point Trust Score where 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted. CMC Markets earns 99/99 (highly trusted), while Questrade scores 85/99 (trusted).

CMC Markets, founded in 1989, is publicly traded and not a bank. It holds 6 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 1 Tier-2 license (trusted). Questrade, founded in 2000, is privately held and not a bank, with 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. In short, CMC Markets has broader top-tier oversight, while Questrade maintains a solid trust standing.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Questrade logoQuestrade
Year Founded info 1989 2000
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 0

Fees

CMC Markets is the clear winner on trading costs. It earned 5 stars for Commissions and Fees and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, and it also took the #1 spot in our 2025 Annual Awards for this category. Questrade, by comparison, holds 3.5 stars and ranks #33 out of 63. In plain terms, CMC Markets tends to deliver lower all-in costs for forex, while Questrade’s spread-only model and extra CFD fees can make trading pricier.

CMC Markets offers consistently low spreads for all customers and account types. Typical EUR/USD spreads were 0.61 pips (Aug 2023). Its FX Active commission plan charges $2.50 per side with minimum spreads of 0.0 pips, producing an all-in cost of about 0.5 pips on EUR/USD and several other major pairs. CMC’s averages have historically stayed close to its minimums, helping it stand out on pricing. High-volume traders can also unlock spread discounts via the Price Plus Scheme; for example, Tier 4 (20% discount) requires 1,250 standard lots in a month, with 2 Trading Points earned per standard lot.

Questrade Global is a spread-only broker: your cost is built into the bid-ask price. While advertised spreads can be as low as 0.8 pips, observed averages on major pairs are closer to 2.1–2.5 pips, meaning a typical 2-pip spread costs about $20 per standard lot. For CFDs, Questrade adds $9.95 USD per unit to open and another $9.95 to close, on top of the spread, plus overnight financing. In practice, these fees can push your break-even higher versus CMC Markets’ lower all-in forex pricing.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Questrade logoQuestrade
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 0.8 or higher
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info N/A
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

Comparing CMC Markets vs Questrade for range of investments: both support forex trading as either CFDs or spot contracts. CMC Markets offers 12,029 tradable symbols and 141 forex pairs, while Questrade lists 675 symbols and 110 pairs. If you want access to more markets and currency pairs, CMC Markets provides a wider selection.

CMC Markets also lets clients buy exchange-traded securities (not CFDs) on both U.S. and international exchanges, supports copy trading, and offers cryptocurrency exposure via CFDs (neither broker sells actual crypto). Questrade does not offer U.S. or international exchange-traded shares, copy trading, or crypto CFDs. Both earn 5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments from ForexBrokers.com, with CMC Markets ranked #9 of 63 brokers and Questrade ranked #12.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Questrade logoQuestrade
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 675
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 110
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes No
Copy Trading info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes No
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).

Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.

Trading platforms and tools

CMC Markets vs Questrade on trading platforms and tools: both brokers provide free paper-trading demo accounts, proprietary in-house platforms, a web platform and a Windows desktop platform, plus the ability to place trades directly from a chart. That makes it easy to test strategies and trade from either a browser or a downloadable app.

Where they differ: CMC Markets adds copy trading and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5); Questrade does not offer copy trading or MetaTrader. Independent ratings reflect the gap: for Trading Platforms and Tools, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Questrade scores 4 stars and ranks #28. If you want MetaTrader or copy trading alongside a strong in-house platform, CMC Markets is the better fit; if you only need a broker-built platform with web and desktop access, Questrade still covers the basics.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Questrade logoQuestrade
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 No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 64
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

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

Forex trading apps

CMC Markets and Questrade both deliver capable mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports stock and forex price alerts, watchlist syncing with your online account, drawing trendlines on charts, and autosaving those drawings. The standout difference is charting depth: CMC Markets includes 29 built-in technical studies, while Questrade offers 64, which may appeal to traders who rely on a wide range of indicators.

According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets scores higher for overall mobile experience, earning 5 stars and ranking #5 out of 63 brokers, while Questrade receives 3.5 stars and ranks #28. If you want a higher-rated mobile trading app, CMC Markets is the safer choice. If a larger library of technical indicators is your priority, Questrade’s app has the edge.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Questrade logoQuestrade
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 64
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

For market research, CMC Markets offers more built-in coverage than Questrade. CMC provides daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. Both brokers include Autochartist, while only Questrade adds Trading Central. Questrade does not include daily commentary, top-tier forex news, a sentiment tool, or an economic calendar.

Questrade stands out with TipRanks, which CMC Markets does not provide, and neither broker offers tools from Acuity Trading. Overall, CMC Markets earns a 5-star Research rating and is ranked #6 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Questrade receives 3.5 stars and ranks #34—making CMC the stronger pick for in-platform news, commentary, sentiment, and calendars, with Questrade appealing if you prioritize Trading Central and TipRanks.

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

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

Comparing CMC Markets vs Questrade for beginner education, CMC Markets is the stronger choice for learning on your own schedule. It offers 10+ beginner-friendly trading videos and 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go further. Neither broker runs monthly live webinars, but CMC’s larger on-demand video library makes it easier for new traders to build skills step by step.

Independent ratings back this up: CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Questrade scores 3.5 stars and ranks #28. Questrade does provide educational materials, yet it doesn’t meet the same volume of beginner and advanced video lessons, so newcomers may find a faster learning path with CMC Markets.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Questrade logoQuestrade
Webinars info No No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes No
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No

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 Questrade. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while Questrade finished with an overall rank of #29.

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
Questrade logoQuestrade
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 85
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with CMC Markets or Questrade?

CMC Markets vs Questrade: neither broker supports buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but only CMC Markets offers cryptocurrency CFD trading while Questrade does not.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Online broker CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals (Questrade supports neither), both CMC Markets and Questrade allow bank wire transfers, neither supports Skrill, and Visa/Mastercard availability was not specified.

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Overall Rating CMC Markets Questrade
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 85
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review Questrade Review
Broker Screenshots CMC Markets Questrade
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.
Questrade Global web platform dashboard. Questrade Global web platform Autochartist signals. Questrade educational content featured lessons.
Regulation CMC Markets Questrade
Trust Score info 99 85
Year Founded info 1989 2000
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info No
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) CMC Markets Questrade
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes Yes
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info No No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes No
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info No
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) CMC Markets Questrade
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No
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 No
Investments CMC Markets Questrade
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 675
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 110
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes No
Copy Trading info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes No
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).
Cost CMC Markets Questrade
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 0.8 or higher
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info N/A
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info No Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes No
Funding CMC Markets Questrade
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
Trading Platforms CMC Markets Questrade
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes No
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools CMC Markets Questrade
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 64
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading CMC Markets Questrade
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 Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 64
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research CMC Markets Questrade
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes No
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes Yes
Trading Central info No Yes
TipRanks info No Yes
Client sentiment data info Yes No
Economic Calendar info Yes No
Education CMC Markets Questrade
Webinars info No No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes No
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Major Forex Pairs CMC Markets Questrade
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 Questrade Review
Overall CMC Markets Questrade
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 85
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review Questrade Review
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