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CMC Markets vs Trade Nation 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

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.

CMC Markets
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 11925
Trade Nation
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 85
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 1000

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, 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 logoCMC Markets
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
Year Founded info 1989 2014
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 5 2
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 2

Fees

When comparing the online brokers CMC Markets and Trade Nation based on their commissions and fees, each offers distinct advantages. In our 2025 Annual Awards, CMC Markets secured the top position with a #1 ranking for its compelling low-spread offering across all customer segments and account types. It provides competitive average spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, which is above the industry average. CMC Markets also features an Active Trader program that offers discounts on trading costs through its Price Plus Scheme. The recently introduced FX Active pricing structure offers a commission-based model with low spreads, reinforcing CMC Markets' reputation as an industry leader. Rated 5 stars, CMC Markets' pricing strategies make it an attractive choice for traders.

Trade Nation, ranked #7, also shines with a 5-star rating in the commissions and fees category. This broker distinguishes itself with competitive fixed-spread pricing across all tradeable symbols on its proprietary platform. For the EUR/USD pair, Trade Nation offers a fixed spread of 0.6 pips but does see a brief increase during its daily rollover period. While Trade Nation provides three primary account types, including a commission-based Raw Spread account on MetaTrader, its proprietary TN Trader accounts feature some of the lowest spreads when considering all-in costs. The fixed-spread approach offers simplicity and transparency, appealing to many traders.

Both brokers have their unique offerings, but CMC Markets edges ahead with its innovative pricing models and discounts for active traders, reflecting its #1 ranking. Meanwhile, Trade Nation's reliable fixed-spread pricing offers its own appeal, ensuring straightforward costs for traders, contributing to its solid #7 standing. Each broker’s clear fee structure serves different trader preferences, from flexibility and discounts to simplicity and predictability.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.61 info 0.6
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.51 info 0.6
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes No
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

CMC Markets and Trade Nation both provide forex trading services, allowing clients to trade forex as either a CFD or a spot contract. However, CMC Markets stands out with an impressive array of options, offering a total of 11,925 tradeable symbols compared to Trade Nation's selection of 1,000. When it comes to forex pairs, CMC Markets again leads the way with 156 pairs, significantly more than the 46 pairs available with Trade Nation. Additionally, CMC Markets offers the opportunity to invest directly in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, which isn't available at Trade Nation.

For those interested in copy trading, both brokers have got you covered. While neither offers the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies directly, they do allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets has earned a 5-star rating for its range of investments, placing it 9th out of 63 brokers. Trade Nation, on the other hand, receives a rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 38th in the same category. These evaluations underscore the broader and more varied investment opportunities available with CMC Markets.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 11925 1000
Forex Pairs (Total) info 156 46
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Social Trading / Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info No No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

When comparing CMC Markets to Trade Nation, both brokers offer comprehensive options for online trading with free virtual demo accounts and proprietary platforms developed in-house. Users of CMC Markets and Trade Nation can take advantage of Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms, accommodating different trading preferences. Both brokers support the widely used MetaTrader 4 (MT4), providing access to a wide range of tools and resources. However, CMC Markets also offers MetaTrader 5 (MT5), giving traders access to additional features and instruments that aren't available on Trade Nation.

In terms of advanced trading capabilities, CMC Markets stands out with 40 drawing tools for charting and the ability to trade directly from a stock chart, which is not available with Trade Nation. While Trade Nation provides 14 columns for watch lists compared to CMC Market's 11, CMC Markets has earned a higher rating of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, compared to Trade Nation’s 4 stars. Additionally, CMC Markets is ranked 4th out of 63 brokers in the trading platforms and tools category by ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strength over Trade Nation, which is ranked 44th.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 79 115
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 40 39
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields info 11 14
View More

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

Forex trading apps

When it comes to mobile trading apps, both CMC Markets and Trade Nation offer comprehensive options for iPhone and Android users, each with their own set of features. Both brokers provide essential functions like stock and forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Users can also view multiple time frames and enjoy auto-saving capabilities for their chart drawings, ensuring a seamless trading experience. One of the most outstanding features of both apps is their real-time quote watchlists. However, while Trade Nation exceeds in the number of technical studies offered with 99 compared to CMC Markets' 29, there are several other factors to consider when making a choice.

In terms of performance and reception, CMC Markets excels significantly, having received a 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, landing it in the 5th spot out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, Trade Nation, with a commendable 4-star rating, is ranked 45th in the same category. The rankings reflect the overall user experience, opting for either innovation features or ease of use as per user preference. Therefore, while Trade Nation impresses with its vast selection of technical tools, CMC Markets stands out for its recognized excellence in usability and functionality.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 99
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

When comparing CMC Markets and Trade Nation for market research, several key differences emerge that could influence your choice of broker. Both platforms provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. However, CMC Markets stands out by providing technical analysis tools from Autochartist, while Trade Nation does not offer this feature. Both brokers supply sentiment-based trading tools, allowing traders to assess the proportion of long and short positions across currency pairs, which can be beneficial for decision-making.

Looking further into their tools, CMC Markets offers an economic calendar, keeping traders informed about significant global news events, whereas Trade Nation lacks this feature. On the other hand, Trade Nation includes research tools from Acuity Trading, specifically the Signal Centre, which is not available through CMC Markets. Overall, with a research rating of 5 stars and a rank of #6 out of 63 brokers, CMC Markets earns higher accolades compared to Trade Nation, which is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #42 for research.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central (Recognia) info No No
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) info No Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

When it comes to educational resources for beginner traders, CMC Markets and Trade Nation both offer a variety of content to help newcomers. Both platforms provide a wealth of educational materials, including articles, videos, and around ten beginner trading videos, making them suitable for those starting out. However, neither CMC Markets nor Trade Nation hosts regular monthly webinars, though CMC Markets stands out by offering an archive of recorded webinars that users can browse anytime, a feature not available with Trade Nation. Additionally, both brokers provide dictionaries that explain over 50 investing terms, which is a helpful tool for understanding trading jargon.

Despite the similarities, there are differences in how these brokers are rated and ranked concerning their educational offerings. CMC Markets receives a notable 5-star rating for its educational resources, ranking 10th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com in the Education category. In comparison, Trade Nation holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks 41st in the same category. This distinction suggests that while both brokers cater to beginner traders effectively, CMC Markets' broader range of educational services, including its archived webinars, provides a more comprehensive learning experience.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) 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 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 logoCMC Markets
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 85
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 5/5 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 Trade Nation?

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.

What funding options does each broker offer?

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.




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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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating CMC Markets Trade Nation
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 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 85
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review Trade Nation Review
Broker Screenshots CMC Markets Trade Nation
Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) info
Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) info
Research Gallery (click to expand) info
Education Gallery (click to expand) info
Regulation CMC Markets Trade Nation
Trust Score info 99 85
Year Founded info 1989 2014
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info No info
Tier-1 Licenses info 5 2
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 2
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) CMC Markets Trade Nation
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info No No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info No No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
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 info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) CMC Markets Trade Nation
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No No
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No Yes
UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) info Yes No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info No No
Investments CMC Markets Trade Nation
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 11925 1000
Forex Pairs (Total) info 156 46
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Social Trading / Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info No No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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 info 0.61 info 0.6
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.51 info 0.6
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes No
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Execution: Agency Broker info No No
Execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding CMC Markets Trade Nation
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
Trading Platforms CMC Markets Trade Nation
Proprietary Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes No
cTrader info No No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No No
Trading Tools CMC Markets Trade Nation
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 11 14
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 79 115
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 40 39
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes No
Charts can be saved info Yes No
Mobile Trading CMC Markets Trade Nation
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 99
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Economic Calendar info Yes No
Research CMC Markets Trade Nation
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central (Recognia) info No No
TipRanks info No No
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes No
Education CMC Markets Trade Nation
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs CMC Markets Trade Nation
GBP/USD info Yes Yes
USD/JPY info Yes Yes
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF info Yes Yes
USD/CAD info Yes Yes
NZD/USD info Yes Yes
AUD/USD info Yes Yes
Review CMC Markets Review Trade Nation Review
Overall CMC Markets Trade Nation
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 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 85
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review Trade Nation Review
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