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CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets, 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
ThinkMarkets
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $50 info
  • Trust Score: 92
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 4000

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

Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a highly regarded online broker, distinguished by its public trading status on a stock exchange. It holds an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, reflecting its top-tier reliability. CMC Markets is backed by 6 Tier-1 licenses, considered highly trusted, along with an additional Tier-2 license, highlighting its strong regulatory standing. Although not a bank, its long-standing presence and comprehensive regulatory approvals contribute to its credibility in the trading community.

Established in 2010, ThinkMarkets also commands attention with a solid ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 92. While ThinkMarkets is not publicly traded, it still holds 5 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, illustrating a reliable regulatory framework that ensures a trusted trading environment. Like CMC Markets, it is not a banking institution, but its array of regulatory licenses positions it as a credible option for traders seeking a dependable online broker.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
ThinkMarkets logoThinkMarkets
Year Founded info 1989 2010
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 5
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 2
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 3

Fees

When comparing CMC Markets and ThinkMarkets in terms of commissions and fees, CMC Markets emerges as the frontrunner. In our 2025 Annual Awards, CMC Markets secured the top position, being ranked #1 in the Commissions and Fees category, largely due to its consistently low spread offerings. It offers competitive pricing with average spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD. CMC Markets also features an innovative active trader program known as the Price Plus Scheme, which offers trading cost discounts through Trading Points. Launched in 2022, the FX Active pricing structure charges a commission on trades, enhancing their competitive spread offerings.

ThinkMarkets, while maintaining a solid reputation, does not match CMC Markets in terms of commission and fee competitiveness. Lacking specific average spread data, ThinkMarkets is rated 4 out of 5 stars, which is notably lower compared to CMC Markets' perfect 5-star rating. Despite offering reliable trading services, ThinkMarkets' fees structure places it at #48 among 63 brokers reviewed, distinctly below CMC Markets.

In summary, CMC Markets with its cutting-edge pricing programs and low spreads, is a clear leader in the industry. Its strategic initiatives like the Price Plus Scheme and FX Active have reinforced its position, offering traders significant cost advantages. Compared to ThinkMarkets, CMC Markets provides superior value, making it the preferred choice for traders focused on minimizing trading costs.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
ThinkMarkets logoThinkMarkets
Minimum Deposit info $0 $50 info
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.1 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info N/A info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

When it comes to range of investments, CMC Markets outpaces ThinkMarkets. CMC offers 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, compared with ThinkMarkets’ 4,000 symbols and 46 pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. In ratings by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets earned 5 stars and ranked 9th out of 63 brokers for range of investments, while ThinkMarkets earned 4.5 stars and ranked 24th.

CMC Markets also lets you buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. markets, something ThinkMarkets does not offer; both provide access to international exchanges for stock dealing. Copy trading is available at both. Neither broker sells actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but both support cryptocurrency CFDs. If you want the widest symbol list, more currency pairs, and U.S. share dealing, CMC Markets is the stronger pick; if you don’t need U.S. stocks, ThinkMarkets still covers many markets and includes copy trading and crypto CFDs.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
ThinkMarkets logoThinkMarkets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 4000
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 46
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes info
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
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 ThinkMarkets both check the key platform boxes most traders want from an online broker. Each offers a free demo account for paper trading, a proprietary platform built in-house, Windows desktop software, and a web-based platform. Both also support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), provide copy trading, and let you place trades directly from a chart.

The main difference shows up in independent ratings. For Trading Platforms and Tools, ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets 5 stars and ranks it 4th out of 63 brokers, while ThinkMarkets earns 4 stars and ranks 28th. If top-tier platform quality is your priority, CMC Markets stands out. If you want an easy way to use MT4/MT5 alongside a proprietary platform with a free demo to practice first, ThinkMarkets is a solid pick.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
ThinkMarkets logoThinkMarkets
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
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

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

Forex trading apps

CMC Markets and ThinkMarkets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, complete with price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto‑saved chart annotations. A key difference is watchlist syncing: CMC Markets syncs watchlists between the app and the web platform, while ThinkMarkets does not. This makes CMC Markets more convenient if you switch between devices.

For charting tools, ThinkMarkets packs in more technical studies (94) compared with CMC Markets (29), which may appeal to indicator-heavy traders. That said, CMC Markets earns higher marks overall: it’s rated 5 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets is rated 4 stars and ranks #20. Choose CMC Markets for a top-rated, seamless mobile experience, or ThinkMarkets if you prioritize a larger set of built-in indicators.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
ThinkMarkets logoThinkMarkets
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 94
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

Comparing CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets for market research, both brokers deliver daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources (such as Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones), a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. The difference shows up in ratings and rankings: CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets holds 3.5 stars and ranks #51.

In terms of tools, CMC Markets includes Autochartist for technical/fundamental insights, while ThinkMarkets does not. Neither broker offers Trading Central or TipRanks. On the flip side, ThinkMarkets provides Acuity Trading (e.g., Signal Centre), which CMC Markets lacks. If you want higher-rated research and Autochartist, CMC Markets has the edge; if you value Acuity Trading signals within your platform, ThinkMarkets could appeal.

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

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets for beginner education: both brokers offer sizable libraries of video lessons for new traders, including at least 10 beginner-focused videos and 10 advanced videos you can grow into. ThinkMarkets stands out for live learning with monthly client webinars, while CMC Markets does not currently host monthly educational webinars. If you prefer interactive sessions where you can ask questions, ThinkMarkets has an edge; for self-paced forex and CFD trading education, both deliver strong video-based learning.

Independent ratings highlight a clear gap in overall quality. ForexBrokers.com gives CMC Markets 5 stars for Education and ranks it 10th out of 63 brokers, while ThinkMarkets earns 3.5 stars and ranks 52nd. In short, CMC Markets is the better all-around choice for beginners seeking high-quality education, whereas ThinkMarkets is appealing if regular live webinars are a priority.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
ThinkMarkets logoThinkMarkets
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 ThinkMarkets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27.

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
ThinkMarkets logoThinkMarkets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 92
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with CMC Markets or ThinkMarkets?

When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and ThinkMarkets for crypto trading, neither allows buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.

What funding options does each broker offer?

CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets: for deposits and withdrawals, CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers (no Skrill; Visa/Mastercard not specified), while ThinkMarkets supports Skrill and bank wire transfers (no ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard not specified).

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announcementPlease 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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Overall Rating CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 92
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review
Broker Screenshots CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
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.
Regulation CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Trust Score info 99 92
Year Founded info 1989 2010
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 5
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 2
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 3
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info No Yes
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes Yes
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 4000
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 46
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes info
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
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 ThinkMarkets
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.1 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info N/A info
Inactivity Fee info Yes Yes
Order execution: Agency info No Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Minimum Deposit info $0 $50 info
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
Trading Platforms CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
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
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
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 94
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Webinars info No Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
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
Overall CMC Markets ThinkMarkets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 92
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review
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