Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Trade Nation, 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, established in 1989, and Trade Nation, founded in 2014, are two online brokers with different profiles. CMC Markets is publicly traded, unlike Trade Nation, and holds a prestigious position in the financial industry with a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Known for its credibility, CMC Markets is equipped with five Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust and safety, along with one Tier-2 license.
On the other hand, Trade Nation, while not publicly traded, still maintains a solid Trust Score of 85, representing a trusted reputation. Providing reliable services, Trade Nation holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. Though newer and with fewer high-level licenses compared to CMC Markets, it remains a respected choice among traders looking for a dependable online trading platform.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing online brokers, CMC Markets and Trade Nation both excel in the realm of commissions and fees, each receiving a 5-star rating. CMC Markets proudly clinched the top spot in the Commissions and Fees category in ForexBrokers.com's 2025 Annual Awards. It stands out for consistently offering low spread pricing across all customer segments. With average spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, CMC Markets remains competitive. Their innovative Price Plus Scheme provides active traders with tiered discounts based on collected Trading Points, which are earned by trading large volumes. Additionally, the broker's FX Active pricing model, which charges a $2.50 commission per side, presents a cost-effective option with very low spreads.
Trade Nation, ranking #7 out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees, also offers compelling pricing models. This broker features fixed-spread pricing on its proprietary platform, ensuring transparency and simplicity for traders. Fixed spreads for the popular EUR/USD pair start at 0.6 pips; however, spreads may temporarily widen to 1.4 pips during a daily rollover period. Trade Nation provides three main account types, including a commission-free and a Raw Spread MetaTrader account, which carries a $3.50 commission per side. Their TN Trader account typically offers the lowest spreads among its offerings when factoring all-in costs.
Both CMC Markets and Trade Nation present strong options for traders seeking low trading costs and competitive spreads. While CMC Markets leads with innovative pricing structures and additional discounts for active traders, Trade Nation's fixed spread model appeals to those seeking straightforward pricing. Each broker's unique approach allows traders to find a suitable match based on their trading style and preferences.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.6 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing the range of investments available at CMC Markets and Trade Nation, notable differences come to light. CMC Markets stands out with a massive selection of 11,925 tradeable symbols, offering significantly more options than Trade Nation's 1,000. For forex traders, CMC Markets provides 156 pairs to choose from, compared to Trade Nation's 46 pairs. Additionally, CMC Markets offers access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, a feature that Trade Nation does not provide. Both brokers, however, allow clients to trade forex as CFDs and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither supports the direct purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Copy trading is available through both brokers, allowing users to mirror the strategies of more experienced traders. Despite these shared features, CMC Markets is rated higher with a five-star ranking for its comprehensive range of investments, placing it at number nine out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Trade Nation earns 3.5 stars, ranking at number 38. This indicates that CMC Markets may be a more appealing choice for investors seeking a broader selection of trading opportunities and direct access to global markets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 46 |
| 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 CMC Markets and Trade Nation, both brokers offer robust trading platforms and tools, yet each has unique features that cater to different types of traders. CMC Markets provides a comprehensive suite of offerings with its in-house developed platform, desktop, and web-based options. They also support popular trading software like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, whereas Trade Nation only offers MetaTrader 4. Both brokers provide virtual demo accounts for simulated trading, making it easy for users to practice their strategies. Additionally, CMC Markets supports copy trading, offering a streamlined way for novice traders to follow more experienced ones. Trade execution directly from stock charts is a feature available with CMC Markets, adding to the ease of use that many traders appreciate.
Trade Nation, meanwhile, holds a strong standing with its proprietary platform available both on desktop and web, catering well to traders who prefer a consistent interface regardless of the device. While Trade Nation may lack some of the advanced features like MetaTrader 5 and direct chart trading that CMC Markets offers, it compensates with comprehensive watch list capabilities, providing 14 customizable columns compared to CMC Markets' 11. When it comes to charting tools, CMC Markets leads slightly with 40 drawing tools compared to Trade Nation's 39. Ranked 4th overall in trading platforms and tools by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets sets a high bar with a 5-star rating, while Trade Nation follows with a respectable 44th place and a 4-star rating. Each platform offers a unique blend of features, making them strong contenders for traders based on individual needs and preferences.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 39 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 14 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets and Trade Nation's mobile trading apps, both offer comprehensive features for traders using either iPhone or Android devices. They provide essential functionalities, such as stock and forex price alerts and watchlist syncing, allowing seamless updates between mobile and online accounts. Both apps enable traders to view charts in various time frames and draw trendlines, while auto-saving those drawings for future reference. Notably, CMC Markets and Trade Nation also let users create watchlists with real-time quotes, offering convenience and flexibility for active traders.
However, there are distinctions worth noting. While CMC Markets provides 29 technical studies for charting, Trade Nation goes further by offering 99, appealing to those who prefer more in-depth technical analysis. Regarding their overall ratings, CMC Markets scores a high 5 stars for mobile trading apps, and ranks 5th out of 62 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, indicating a strong user experience and satisfaction. In contrast, Trade Nation is rated 4 stars and is ranked 45th, suggesting room for improvement compared to the leaders in the field. Overall, while both apps are solid choices, CMC Markets may edge out in user ratings and ranks, providing slightly more refined offerings for traders seeking mobile solutions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 99 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both CMC Markets and Trade Nation cater to traders who value daily market commentary and up-to-date forex news from respected sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, CMC Markets takes a more comprehensive approach to market research by offering a variety of tools that include technical analysis options like Autochartist, which is not available with Trade Nation. While both platforms provide sentiment-based trading tools that reveal the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, CMC Markets further enriches their research offerings with an economic calendar displaying global news events, something Trade Nation lacks.
Although Trade Nation does stand out with tools from Acuity Trading, a feature absent in CMC Markets, it falls short in the overall research experience. This difference is reflected in their respective ratings and rankings, with CMC Markets earning a commendable 5-star rating for research and securing the 6th position out of 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Trade Nation receives a 3.5-star rating and places at #42 in the same ranking. These distinctions significantly influence the research experience for traders depending on the level of market insights they seek.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by CMC Markets and Trade Nation, both online brokers provide a range of materials aimed at beginners interested in forex and CFDs. They each offer more than 10 educational pieces, ensuring that new traders have access to valuable introductory content through various formats such as articles, videos, and webinars. However, CMC Markets slightly edges out Trade Nation with its searchable archive of recorded client webinars, a feature that Trade Nation does not provide. This archive can be an invaluable resource for beginners looking to revisit or catch up on missed sessions.
Both brokers cater to a spectrum of trading expertise, providing at least 10 beginner and 10 advanced educational videos. Each also includes a dictionary section with definitions for over 50 investing terms, essential for those new to the investment world. Despite these similarities, CMC Markets enjoys a higher education rating of 5 stars compared to Trade Nation's 3.5 stars, and holds a more favorable placement at #10 versus Trade Nation's #41 in the education category rankings on ForexBrokers.com. This reflects CMC Markets' superior educational offerings, making it a more attractive choice for those prioritizing learning resources in their trading journey.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than Trade Nation. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Trade Nation finished with an overall rank of #34.
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
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Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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Both CMC Markets and Trade Nation do not offer the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency; however, they both provide the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives for traders interested in speculative investments.
In comparing CMC Markets and Trade Nation, CMC Markets offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods including ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while Trade Nation provides options for Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wires, but lacks ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal options.
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 | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Trade Nation Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 46 | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.6 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 14 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 39 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 99 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Education | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Trade Nation Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Trade Nation Review |
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