Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Trading 212, 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, is a well-regarded online broker known for its high trust rating. It holds a perfect Trust Score of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, making it highly trusted in the industry. The firm is publicly traded and has a strong foundation with six top-tier licenses and one additional tier-two license. As a non-bank institution, CMC Markets provides participants a secure and reliable platform for trading.
Founded in 2004, Trading 212 offers accessible trading services, but with a Trust Score of 80, it falls into the trusted category according to ForexBrokers.com. While not publicly listed on any stock exchanges, it maintains its credibility through three highly trusted tier-one licenses. Unlike CMC Markets, Trading 212 does not have any tier-two licenses, yet it remains a dependable choice for many traders seeking a non-bank broker.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When comparing CMC Markets and Trading 212 in terms of commissions and fees, CMC Markets takes the lead with its award-winning offerings. In the 2025 Annual Awards, CMC Markets secured the top spot (#1) in the Commissions and Fees category, boasting a 5-star rating. This accolade stems from their consistently low spreads across various account types and customer segments. For instance, the EUR/USD pair typically sees spreads of 0.61 pips based on August 2023 data. Additionally, CMC's active trader program, Price Plus Scheme, provides significant trading cost discounts based on trading volumes. Their innovative FX Active pricing also allows commission-based trades with competitive all-in costs of 0.5 pips for major currency pairs.
On the other hand, Trading 212 offers two types of accounts: Invest and CFD. Specifically focusing on the CFD account, Trading 212 promotes a zero-commission trading approach but charges spreads on CFDs and forex trades. Despite its transparency efforts, Trading 212's average spread for the EUR/USD pair was 2.7 pips in April 2025, which is considerably above the industry average. As a result, Trading 212 only managed to secure the #49 spot, with a 4-star rating for commissions and fees out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, while CMC Markets excels with their low-cost trading solutions and advanced pricing programs, Trading 212's higher spreads place them at a competitive disadvantage for traders seeking low-fee options. Choosing between the two can heavily depend on individual trading needs and preferences, with CMC Markets standing out for those prioritizing low trading costs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets and Trading 212 both provide extensive opportunities for traders interested in forex trading, offering access to foreign exchange as CFDs. When it comes to the sheer number of tradeable symbols, CMC Markets leads with an impressive 12,029 options compared to Trading 212's 7,868. However, Trading 212 slightly edges ahead in the availability of forex pairs, presenting 146 options against CMC Markets' 141. Both platforms afford users the chance to trade exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, making stocks like Apple and Vodafone accessible to investors.
In terms of innovative features, CMC Markets supports copy trading, which can be a significant advantage for users keen on mimicking successful trading strategies, whereas Trading 212 does not offer this feature. For those interested in cryptocurrencies, both brokers allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives but not in actual cryptocurrencies. Despite these differences, both platforms boast a five-star rating in the Range of Investments category, with CMC Markets ranking slightly higher at #9 compared to Trading 212's #15, highlighting the strong offerings of each broker.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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.
CMC Markets and Trading 212 both offer a range of trading platforms and tools to enhance the trading experience for users. Both brokers provide access to their proprietary platforms, along with free virtual demo accounts for simulated trading. CMC Markets, however, extends its offerings with a Windows-based desktop platform and the well-known MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which Trading 212 does not. Both brokers have browser-based platforms, but only CMC Markets supports copy trading. Neither CMC Markets nor Trading 212 integrates with DupliTrade or ZuluTrade services.
In terms of charting capabilities, CMC Markets provides a wider array of features with 36 drawing tools compared to Trading 212's 20, although the number of technical indicators each offers remains unspecified. Both allow for trading directly from stock charts, ensuring user-friendly navigation. Looking at watch lists, CMC Markets provides more customization with 11 columns available, versus the 5 offered by Trading 212. In rankings, CMC Markets shines bright with a 5-star rating and ranks 4th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for its trading platforms and tools, compared to Trading 212's 4-star rating and 20th place standing.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and Trading 212, both brokers offer a comprehensive suite of features for iPhone and Android users. Each provides stock and forex price alerts, as well as syncing capabilities that ensure your watchlists stay updated across mobile and online accounts. Additionally, both apps enable you to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on stock or forex charts, with the convenience of auto-saving your chart drawings. Real-time watchlists can be effortlessly created in both apps, providing a seamless trading experience.
Notably, Trading 212 offers a striking 104 technical studies for charting, compared to CMC Markets' 29, adding some depth for technical analysis enthusiasts. Despite this edge, CMC Markets' app garners a higher rating with 5 stars, versus Trading 212’s 4-star rating. In the ranks of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets shines at number 5, while Trading 212 trails at rank 17, making CMC Markets a compelling choice for those prioritizing mobile trading prowess.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 104 |
| 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.
When comparing market research offerings, CMC Markets provides a more comprehensive service than Trading 212. CMC Markets stands out by offering daily market commentary, which can be particularly helpful for staying updated with the latest trends. In contrast, Trading 212 does not provide this feature. Both platforms deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have access to high-quality information. However, CMC Markets further enhances its research capabilities with tools like Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis, a feature not available with Trading 212. Additionally, both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools, allowing traders to gauge market sentiment effectively.
For traders interested in macroeconomic events, both CMC Markets and Trading 212 offer an economic calendar detailing current and upcoming global news. However, CMC Markets earns a perfect five-star rating for research, ranking 6th among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, thanks to its diverse offerings and in-depth tools. Meanwhile, Trading 212 is rated 3.5 stars and is positioned at 44th place, indicating a significant gap in the research capabilities compared to CMC Markets. Despite some shared features, CMC Markets' broader range of tools and daily insights provide a more detailed trader experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
CMC Markets and Trading 212 both offer a strong suite of educational resources suitable for beginners interested in forex and CFDs trading. Both platforms host over 10 educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs, which make it easier for newcomers to get started. Moreover, each broker provides a considerable number of beginner-focused educational videos, ensuring that novices have ample content tailored to their learning level. Advanced traders aren’t left behind either, as both platforms also offer at least 10 advanced videos designed for more experienced users. Complementing these resources, both CMC Markets and Trading 212 offer comprehensive investor dictionaries with over 50 investing terms defined, enhancing the learning experience even further.
While both brokers excel in educational offerings, CMC Markets edges out with a higher educational rating of 5 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars, as rated by ForexBrokers.com. This difference is also reflected in their rankings: CMC Markets holds the 10th spot among 63 brokers for education, while Trading 212 ranks 20th. While both lack monthly live webinars, they compensate with a rich archive of recorded sessions that are easily searchable, providing additional learning opportunities at users' convenience. Overall, CMC Markets seems to offer a more comprehensive educational experience, which may appeal to traders seeking in-depth learning resources as they begin their trading journey.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than Trading 212. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
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
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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Both CMC Markets and Trading 212 do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, offering instead the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both CMC Markets and Trading 212 provide multiple options for depositing and withdrawing funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Visa or Mastercard, while neither offers Skrill, but both do support bank wire transactions.
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 | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
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