Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs XM Group, 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 transparency and regulatory adherence. It holds a Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, positioning it in the highly trusted category. CMC Markets operates under six Tier-1 licenses, reinforcing its credibility in the financial world. Despite not being a bank, its public listing on a stock exchange adds an extra layer of accountability and reliability, ensuring clients can trade with confidence.
In comparison, XM Group, founded in 2009, also commands a respectable reputation, backed by a Trust Score of 93. While not publicly listed, XM Group's commitment to security is evident through its possession of four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, classifying it as a trusted broker. Though the firm isn't a bank, its regulatory framework supports safe and reliable trading for its users.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
CMC Markets vs. XM Group on commissions and fees: CMC Markets earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #1 of 63 brokers for this category, while XM Group is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #34 of 63. The difference largely comes down to pricing consistency, transparency, and access to low spreads across account types.
CMC Markets delivers low, predictable costs for most traders. Typical EUR/USD spreads were 0.61 pips in August 2023, and its FX Active plan adds a $2.50-per-side commission to zero-minimum spreads for an all-in cost of about 0.5 pip on EUR/USD and several other pairs. The NZD/USD, for example, can drop from about 1.5 pips on a standard account to around 0.5 pip all-in with FX Active. CMC’s Price Plus Scheme rewards higher monthly volumes with spread discounts (you earn 2 Trading Points per standard lot; 1,250 lots in a month reaches Tier 4 for a 20% spread discount). Importantly, CMC’s average spreads have tended to sit close to its advertised minimums—something to look for when comparing true trading costs.
XM Group’s Standard account spreads are on the higher side, and it does not publish average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account, which makes apples-to-apples cost comparisons tougher. Put simply, CMC Markets offers wider access to low spreads and clearer pricing information, contributing to its #1 ranking for commissions and fees versus XM Group’s #34.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $5 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.8 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets and XM Group both cover the essentials: they offer forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, support copy trading, and provide cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual coins). Each also lets you buy real exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international markets—think Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone in London. Where they differ is breadth. CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, while XM Group offers 1,394 symbols and 55 pairs.
That scope shows up in third-party ratings: for Range of Investments, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas XM Group scores 4.5 stars and ranks #25. If you want the widest menu of markets and currency pairs, CMC Markets pulls ahead; if your needs are simpler, XM Group still covers a wide mix and includes popular features like copy trading and crypto CFDs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1394 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 55 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
CMC Markets and XM Group both make it easy to start with a free demo account for paper trading. Each offers web and Windows desktop platforms, copy trading, and the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). You can place trades straight from the chart at both brokers. The key difference is that CMC Markets adds its own in-house trading platform alongside MT4/MT5, while XM Group focuses on the MetaTrader suite. Both provide charting with technical indicators and watch lists, but CMC’s proprietary option gives you an extra path if you want a broker-built experience in addition to MetaTrader.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets 5 stars (ranked #4 of 63) and XM Group 4 stars (ranked #33 of 63). In short, pick CMC Markets if you want a feature-rich in-house platform plus MetaTrader and convenient chart trading; choose XM Group if you prefer a MetaTrader-only setup with copy trading and a free demo to practice.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and XM Group both cover the essentials for trading on the go: iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, watchlists that sync between mobile and web, and the ability to draw trend lines on charts. For charting tools, CMC Markets includes 29 technical indicators, while XM Group offers 30. The standout difference is chart drawings: CMC Markets auto-saves your lines and notes, but XM Group does not, so you may need to redraw them when you return.
Independent reviews tilt in CMC Markets’ favor for mobile. It earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while XM Group holds 4 stars and ranks #31. If you want a smoother charting experience that preserves your work, CMC Markets is the safer pick. If you prefer having one extra built-in indicator and don’t mind reapplying drawings, XM Group can still be a solid choice.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both CMC Markets and XM Group deliver a wealth of resources like daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. CMC Markets stands out with additional offerings like tools from Autochartist, providing advanced technical and fundamental analysis that XM Group doesn't offer. Conversely, XM Group compensates with tools from Trading Central, catering to those seeking technical analytics expertise. Sentiment-based trading tools, showing the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, are available with both brokers, enhancing trader insights into market trends.
Economic calendars showcasing global events are standard with both CMC Markets and XM Group, helping traders anticipate potential market impacts. Despite their varied toolkits, both brokers earn top marks for research, each garnering a 5-star rating. Ranked by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets slightly edges out XM Group, holding the sixth spot in research out of 63 brokers, while XM Group is close behind, ranked eighth. Whether your focus is on comprehensive news or specialized analysis tools, both brokers provide a solid foundation for making informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both CMC Markets and XM Group deliver extensive forex and CFD education that suits beginners. Each broker offers well over 10 dedicated learning pieces and at least 10 beginner videos, plus at least 10 advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up. They both earn 5 stars for Education from ForexBrokers.com, with XM Group ranked #7 out of 63 brokers and CMC Markets close behind at #10.
For newcomers who value live instruction, XM Group stands out by hosting ongoing client webinars (at least one per month), while CMC Markets does not. If you prefer self-paced learning through video libraries and articles, both brokers make it easy to build foundational skills in forex and CFDs; but if you want regular live sessions and Q&A to speed up your learning, XM Group has a clear edge.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 XM Group. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17.
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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XM Group
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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CMC Markets vs XM Group: both online brokers offer cryptocurrency CFD trading but do not provide the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
Compared to XM Group, CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers (but not Skrill), while XM Group supports Skrill and bank wires (but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal), with Visa/Mastercard availability not specified for either broker.
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 | XM Group | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 1394 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.8 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $5 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | XM Group | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | XM Group Review |
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