Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs XTB, 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, founded in 1989, stands as a reputable online broker with its shares publicly traded on the stock market. It does not operate as a bank but maintains a strong regulatory presence with six Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license. The company boasts a near-perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the highly trusted category. This score reflects the broker's long-standing presence and solid regulatory framework, making it a popular choice for traders seeking reliability.
In comparison, XTB began operations in 2002 and, like CMC Markets, is publicly traded without offering banking services. XTB holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, reflecting its trusted status among the trading community. The broker achieves a commendable Trust Score of 96 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating a high level of trust. While both brokers are esteemed in the industry, CMC Markets holds a slight edge in regulatory coverage, a factor that traders might consider when choosing a platform for their trading needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2002 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Looking strictly at trading costs, CMC Markets is the cheaper pick in most cases. It earns 5/5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #1 of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while XTB scores 4.5/5 stars and ranks #12 of 63. CMC’s pricing consistently beats the industry average, whereas XTB is competitive but typically a bit pricier.
CMC Markets offers low spreads to all clients and account types, with typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.61 pips (Aug 2023). Its FX Active plan (available in select regions on MT4 and Next Generation) charges $2.50 per side with minimum spreads from 0.0, delivering about a 0.5‑pip all‑in cost on EUR/USD and several other majors. CMC’s averages tend to track close to its minimums, which helps keep real‑world costs down. High‑volume traders can also tap the Price Plus Scheme for spread discounts based on Trading Points, though the biggest tier requires very large monthly volumes.
XTB offers a spread‑only Standard account for most clients and a commission‑based Pro account that’s being phased out and mainly limited to certain professional or legacy users. Using Q4 2023 data, the average EUR/USD spread on XTB’s Standard account was 1.0 pip—near the industry average but above CMC’s typical pricing. Active traders can join XTB’s Lower Spread Group to earn 5%–30% spread rebates once monthly volume milestones are hit (from 20 up to 1000 lots). Minimum deposit is 250 in your base currency, and for most retail traders the Standard account is the practical choice.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.92 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.92 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing CMC Markets vs XTB on range of investments, both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot. CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, while XTB offers 7,184 symbols and 71 forex pairs. If sheer market choice matters, CMC Markets has the larger selection.
Both brokers let you buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges (not just CFDs). Neither supports buying actual cryptocurrency, but both offer crypto CFDs. CMC Markets includes copy trading; XTB does not. Each earns 5 stars for Range of Investments, yet CMC Markets ranks #9 out of 63 brokers in this category at ForexBrokers.com, while XTB ranks #15.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 7184 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 71 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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 XTB both make it easy to get started with a free demo account and offer their own proprietary platforms alongside Windows desktop downloads and web-based platforms. Each lets you place orders directly from charts. Where they differ is in third‑party and social options: CMC Markets supports copy trading and offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while XTB does not provide copy trading and does not support MT4 or MT5.
For platform quality, both are highly rated, but CMC Markets edges ahead. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks 4th out of 63 brokers, while XTB scores 4.5 stars and ranks 9th. If you want MetaTrader or copy trading built in, choose CMC Markets; if you prefer a polished proprietary web and desktop experience without MetaTrader, XTB is a strong alternative.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 39 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing CMC Markets vs XTB for mobile trading, both brokers check the key boxes: each offers iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, and capable charting with trendline drawing and auto‑saved annotations. That means you can spot moves, mark up charts, and pick up where you left off across sessions without hassle.
The main differences come down to syncing, studies, and recognition. CMC Markets syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while XTB does not. For charting tools, XTB includes 39 technical studies compared with 29 at CMC Markets. In expert reviews, CMC Markets earns a higher mobile app rating (5 stars vs 4.5 for XTB) and a stronger placement from ForexBrokers.com out of 63 brokers (#5 for CMC Markets vs #8 for XTB).
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 39 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing CMC Markets and XTB in terms of market research, both brokers stand out for offering daily market commentary and providing forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also each serve traders with sentiment-based tools that display long and short positioning across currency pairs. Both firms feature an economic calendar for keeping track of important global news events. However, only CMC Markets provides technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which could be a deciding factor for traders who rely on such resources. Neither broker currently provides resources through Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
Both CMC Markets and XTB are highly rated, each receiving 5 stars for research from ForexBrokers.com. However, CMC Markets holds a slightly higher rank, coming in at #6 out of 63 brokers, while XTB follows closely at #7. This small difference in ranking could sway traders who prioritize a broker's standing in research. Ultimately, the choice between CMC Markets and XTB may come down to specific research tool preferences and the individual needs of the trader.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing CMC Markets and XTB for beginner education, both brokers deliver strong learning libraries focused on forex and CFDs. Each offers at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos that explain key trading ideas in plain language. Both earn 5 out of 5 stars for education overall, with CMC Markets ranked #10 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com and XTB close behind at #11.
One clear difference is live instruction: XTB runs client webinars at least once a month, which is great if you like learning in real time and asking questions. CMC Markets does not host recurring client webinars, so its learning is mainly on-demand. If live classes matter to you, XTB has an edge; if you prefer self-paced videos and tutorials, CMC Markets stands shoulder to shoulder on quality.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 XTB. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while XTB finished with an overall rank of #7.
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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XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
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CMC Markets vs XTB: both online brokers offer cryptocurrency CFD trading, but neither supports buying or holding actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
CMC Markets vs XTB: for deposits and withdrawals, CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers (no Skrill), while XTB supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA; Visa/Mastercard availability is 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 | XTB | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | XTB | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2002 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 7184 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.92 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.92 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 39 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 39 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | XTB | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | XTB Review |
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