Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs VT Markets, 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.
When it comes to choosing an online broker, CMC Markets and VT Markets are two names that often come up. Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a publicly traded entity, which adds a layer of transparency and reliability for investors. In contrast, VT Markets, established in 2016, is not publicly traded. Neither of the brokers operate as banks, focusing their efforts on providing trading services. CMC Markets stands out with a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating the highest level of trust, while VT Markets holds a Trust Score of 70, considered as average risk.
Examining regulatory credentials reveals further distinctions. CMC Markets is backed by six Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license, marking it as a heavily regulated and secure option for traders. Meanwhile, VT Markets holds only one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, offering a comparatively lower level of regulatory assurance. These differences in regulatory status and trust scores may guide investors in selecting the broker that best fits their needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
CMC Markets is the clear winner on costs: it holds a 5-star Commissions and Fees rating and ranks #1 of 63 brokers with ForexBrokers.com’s 2025 awards. VT Markets earns 4.5 stars and ranks #21 of 63. Both aim to keep trading affordable, but CMC Markets generally delivers lower all-in costs across more scenarios.
CMC Markets’ typical EUR/USD spread was 0.61 pips (Aug 2023). Its FX Active plan adds a $2.50 per side commission to razor-thin spreads (minimum 0.0), producing a 0.5 pip all-in cost on EUR/USD and several other pairs (based on Aug 2023 data). Example: NZD/USD is about 1.5 pips on the standard account, but drops to 0.5 pips all-in with FX Active. FX Active is available in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.K. on MT4 and Next Generation. CMC also offers the Price Plus Scheme for active traders, where Trading Points can reduce spreads; you earn 2 points per standard lot (100k units), and hitting Tier 4 (e.g., 1,250 lots in a month) unlocks a 20% spread discount. Importantly, CMC’s averages tend to stay close to its advertised minimums, supporting its low-cost reputation.
VT Markets keeps things simple with two accounts and a low $100 minimum deposit. The Standard STP account is commission-free with a typical EUR/USD spread of 1.2 pips. The Raw ECN account is more competitive for active traders: its effective EUR/USD spread was 0.83 pips, based on a 0.23-pip average spread plus a 0.6-pip round-turn commission (Sep 2021). In short, VT’s Raw ECN pricing is in line with industry norms, while the Standard STP pricing is less sharp; by contrast, CMC Markets typically comes in cheaper for spread-sensitive and high-volume traders. Ratings and ranks: CMC Markets — 5 stars, #1/63; VT Markets — 4.5 stars, #21/63.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.8 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing the range of investments at CMC Markets vs VT Markets, both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot. CMC Markets offers a far wider selection overall with 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, while VT Markets lists about 1,000 symbols and 39 forex pairs. This makes CMC Markets a stronger choice if you want more markets and currency pairs under one roof.
For exchange-traded securities, CMC Markets supports buying actual shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, whereas VT Markets offers access to international exchanges but not U.S. stocks. Both brokers support copy trading and let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto. Based on range of investments, CMC Markets earns 5 stars (ranked #9 out of 63), while VT Markets holds 3.5 stars (ranked #40).
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 39 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
Comparing CMC Markets and VT Markets on trading platforms and tools, both brokers check key boxes: free demo (paper) trading, Windows desktop and web-based platforms, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) support, copy trading, and the ability to place orders directly from charts. The main difference is that CMC Markets also offers a proprietary, in-house platform alongside MetaTrader, while VT Markets focuses on third-party options.
For quality and depth, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while VT Markets holds 4 stars and ranks #48. If you want a polished proprietary platform plus MetaTrader, CMC Markets stands out. If you’re comfortable trading on MT4 or MT5 with web and desktop access and copy trading, VT Markets remains a straightforward choice.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and VT Markets both deliver full-featured mobile trading, with iPhone and Android apps that support price alerts and trendline drawing on charts. VT Markets offers 30 technical studies, edging out CMC Markets’ 29. However, CMC Markets stands out for convenience: its mobile app syncs watchlists with your online account (VT Markets does not), and it auto-saves chart drawings (VT Markets does not). If you value smooth continuity between devices and keeping your annotations intact, the CMC Markets mobile app has the advantage.
Independent ratings also favor CMC Markets for mobile. It earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while VT Markets holds 4 stars and ranks #45. In short, VT Markets offers one more built-in study, but CMC Markets provides better syncing, autosave, and higher third-party scores—useful cues when choosing the mobile trading app that fits your day-to-day workflow.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and VT Markets both cover the essentials for market research: each provides daily market commentary, premium forex news from top-tier sources, a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. Where they differ is in the analysis tools they plug in. CMC Markets includes Autochartist for pattern and setup ideas, but does not offer Trading Central. VT Markets flips that: it integrates Trading Central, but not Autochartist.
For extra research providers, CMC Markets does not include TipRanks or Acuity Trading, while VT Markets’ use of TipRanks or Acuity Trading isn’t clearly stated. In independent ratings, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers for Research, while VT Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #37. If you’re comparing CMC Markets vs VT Markets for market research, CMC Markets leads on overall recognition and score, whereas VT Markets may appeal if you specifically want Trading Central alongside the core research basics.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Acuity Trading | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
CMC Markets and VT Markets both provide forex and CFD education suitable for beginners, including at least 10 pieces of content and 10+ beginner-friendly videos that explain key trading ideas in plain terms. Neither broker runs monthly educational webinars, so your learning will lean on on-demand videos and written guides rather than live sessions.
Where they differ is depth as you progress: CMC Markets also offers 10+ advanced videos, giving new traders a clearer path from basics to more complex strategies, while VT Markets does not. That shows up in independent ratings—CMC Markets earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, whereas VT Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #56. For beginners who want room to grow, CMC Markets stands out; for a simple starting point, VT Markets still delivers essential lessons.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
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 VT Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while VT Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
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
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 70 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
CMC Markets and VT Markets both do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but each offers cryptocurrency CFD trading, allowing you to speculate on crypto prices without owning the underlying asset.
CMC Markets vs VT Markets: CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals (but not Skrill), whereas VT Markets does not support ACH/SEPA and provides no disclosed information on PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, or bank wires.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | VT Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 39 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.8 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | VT Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | VT Markets Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill