CMC Markets vs Darwinex Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers CMC Markets and Darwinex. Find out which broker is best for you.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - CMC Markets or Darwinex?
Key differences between the brokers
Below, we show only the differences in trading conditions covered in our reviews. These may include the minimum deposit, available markets, platforms and account types. Compare these details with your requirements.
CMC Markets
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 1 USD
- Different platforms
- CMC Markets
- Different markets
- Soft Commodities
- Bonds
Darwinex
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 500 USD
- Different platforms
- MetaTrader 5
- DXtrade
- TradingView
- Trader WorkStation (TWS)
- WebTrader
- Ninja Trader
- MultiCharts
- IB Gateway
- Different markets
- None listed
Comparison Table of CMC Markets and Darwinex
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year | 1989 | 2012 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom, Spain, Seychelles |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review |
CMC Markets Review
CMC Markets has been a reliable CFD and Forex broker in the business for a long time. Top-tier financial authorities regulate the company, offers an excellent trading platform, and has low commission fees.
We believe it is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced traders. CMC Markets is a good option if you are seeking a trustworthy broker with extensive experience.
Pros and Cons of CMC Markets
Pros
- Low trading fees.
- Wide range of markets and products.
- Access to the popular MetaTrader 4 and CMC Markets platforms.
- Extensive analytical materials.
- Comprehensive educational materials.
Cons
- Limited account options.
- Inactivity fee.
- No online chat.
CMC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Darwinex Review
Darwinex is a specialized broker and investment platform that differs significantly from traditional Forex and CFD companies. It combines conventional trading with Interactive Brokers' infrastructure and the proprietary DARWIN ecosystem, which allows traders to turn a trading strategy into an investment product and attract capital from other investors. Based on its regulation, trading conditions, platforms, and available features, Darwinex appears to be a strong broker, although some services are more specialized and require a certain level of experience.
Darwinex is best suited to experienced, systematic, and algorithmic traders who want to analyze their strategies' results in detail, trade through MT4/MT5 or TradingView and potentially attract investor capital through DARWIN. The broker may also appeal to stock and futures traders thanks to its integration with Interactive Brokers.
Pros and Cons of Darwinex
Pros
- Reliable regulation by the FCA and CNMV, segregation of funds, and compensation schemes for UK/EU clients.
- Wide choice of platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView and DXtrade.
- A unique DARWIN system for attracting investor capital.
- Competitive trading commissions and rebates up to 40%.
- Access to stocks, ETFs, and futures through Interactive Brokers.
Cons
- Limited choice of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- Market-average swaps and an inactivity fee.
- Limited educational materials.
- No 24/5 or 24/7 support.
Reliability
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1989 | 2012 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom, Spain, Seychelles |
| Regulators |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets demonstrates a high level of regulation and protection of client funds.
Pros
- Regulation in multiple countries.
- Adherence to CASS rules to protect client funds.
- Compensation through FSCS in case of financial problems.
Darwinex
Darwinex stands out for its high level of reliability due to regulation by the FCA and the CNMV, the segregation of funds, and compensation schemes.
Pros
- Regulated by the FCA and the CNMV.
- Segregation of client funds.
- Compensation of up to £85 000 in the UK and up to €100 000 in the EU.
Account Opening
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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CMC Markets
The account opening process is standard but has some limitations.
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirement.
- Clear and transparent registration process.
Cons
- Requirement to provide extensive information.
- Restrictions for residents of certain countries.
Darwinex
Opening an account with Darwinex is fully online and usually takes up to one business day. The process is well organized but requires a more detailed questionnaire and more documents than many CFD brokers.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- Verification usually takes 1 business day.
Cons
- Detailed financial questionnaire.
- Additional documents may be requested.
- The base currency cannot be changed after verification.
Account Types
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Swap-free Account | No | No |
CMC Markets
Accounts meet basic needs but do not offer a wide selection.
Pros
- Availability of a demo account.
Cons
- No cent or Islamic accounts.
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
- No investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading).
Darwinex
Darwinex offers a wide range of accounts for self-directed trading, investing, and raising capital. The structure is particularly well suited to active and professional traders but does not cater to all client categories.
Pros
- CFD and IBKR accounts.
- Investment portfolios and DARWIN.
- Demo and corporate accounts are available.
Cons
- No Islamic account.
- The account structure may be complex for beginners.
Commissions
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.7/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.7 | 0.3 |
| Commission | No data | per 1 lot$2.85 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers competitive spreads and does not charge fees for depositing/withdrawing.
Pros
- No deposit or withdrawal fees.
- Competitive spreads and swaps.
- Cashback on trading commissions.
Cons
- Monthly inactivity fee.
Darwinex
Fees at Darwinex are generally below average: spreads are tight, trading commissions are competitive, and rebates can further reduce costs. Swaps remain average.
Pros
- Low spreads.
- Competitive trading commissions.
- Rebates up to 40%.
Cons
- Market-average swaps.
- There is an account inactivity fee.
Deposit and Withdrawal
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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CMC Markets
The broker offers flexibility and transparency in transactions.
Pros
- No fees for deposits or withdrawals.
- Fast processing of withdrawal requests.
Cons
- Some competitors offer more payment methods.
Darwinex
Deposits and withdrawals at Darwinex are fairly convenient and fast, but the choice of methods is limited. The main drawbacks are the lack of cryptocurrencies and additional costs for some withdrawal methods.
Pros
- Fast deposits via card and Skrill.
- Straightforward system via Darwinex Wallet.
Cons
- Limited choice of payment methods.
- No cryptocurrencies.
- A fee applies to withdrawals via card and Skrill.
Markets and Products
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.4/5 | 4/5 |
| Forex | 336 | 42 |
| Precious Metals | 19 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 45 | 2 |
| Soft Commodities | 58 | - |
| Indices | 99 | 10 |
| Stocks | 10099 | 800 |
| ETF | 1200 | 100 |
| Bonds | 71 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 336 | 7 |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets offers various trading instruments for multiple markets but with limited maximum leverage.
Darwinex
Darwinex offers a wide range of markets thanks to the combination of CFDs and Interactive Brokers accounts. The selection is well suited to active traders, although the choice remains limited in certain asset classes.
Pros
- Forex, stocks, ETFs, indices, and commodities.
- Access to futures through IBKR.
Cons
- Some markets are available only through IBKR.
- Limited choice of indices and commodities.
- Cryptocurrencies are not available to all clients.
Trading Platforms
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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CMC Markets
The broker provides two powerful and flexible trading platforms.
Pros
- Availability of the popular MetaTrader 4 platform.
- Proprietary platform with extensive functionality and customization options.
Cons
- The proprietary platform may be complex for beginners.
- Lack of MetaTrader 5 platform.
Darwinex
Darwinex offers a wide range of platforms with robust functionality. MT4/MT5, TradingView and DXtrade are suitable for manual and algorithmic trading as well as advanced analysis.
Pros
- Wide choice of platforms.
- Support for algorithmic trading.
- Integration with TradingView.
Analytics
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers extensive analytical resources that assist traders in decision-making.
Pros
- Comprehensive commentary and forecasts from experts.
- Technical and fundamental analysis.
- News from Reuters and economic calendar.
Darwinex
Analytics from Darwinex are particularly strong for assessing trading strategies and risks, but the broker trails more versatile competitors in conventional market reviews, news, and signals.
Pros
- In-depth strategy analysis.
- Detailed risk and return statistics.
Cons
- Little proprietary market analysis.
- No comprehensive trading signals section.
- A limited number of expert reviews.
Education
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 2.5/5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers extensive and quality educational resources for traders of all levels.
Pros
- A wide range of educational forms: seminars, webinars, video conferences, courses.
- Classes conducted by leading traders and guest experts.
- Most materials are available for free to company clients.
Darwinex
Darwinex's educational resources are useful for traders already familiar with the market but are less varied in format than those of competitors: the main focus is on articles and guides, with no structured courses or regular webinars.
Pros
- Useful articles and guides.
Cons
- No comprehensive academy.
- Few video formats.
- No regular webinars or podcasts.
Customer Support
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| Broker | CMC Markets | Darwinex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Email Support | ||
| Hotline Phones | ||
| Social Media |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets provides quality technical support operating 24/5, with prompt and professional responses.
Pros
- Support available 24/5.
- Prompt and professional responses.
Cons
- Lack of online chat for instant communication.
Darwinex
Support at Darwinex is fairly professional and offers several contact channels, but its limited hours and lack of 24/5 service lower the overall rating.
Pros
- Email, phone, and contact forms.
- There is a channel for urgent trading issues.
- Generally professional responses.
Cons
- No 24/5 or 24/7 support.
- Complex inquiries may take a long time to resolve.
Comparisons of CMC Markets and Darwinex with other brokers
Conclusion
When choosing between CMC Markets and Darwinex, match their platforms, markets, account types and funding terms to your needs.
Before opening an account, verify fees, regulation, support and service availability for your country in the sections above.
FAQ
Which broker is better: CMC Markets or Darwinex?
CMC Markets ranks higher than Darwinex in our editorial ranking. That does not make it a universal choice: compare fees, markets, platforms, account types and support.
Which broker is better for beginners: CMC Markets or Darwinex?
Beginners should compare availability in their country, account types, minimum deposit, trading platforms and customer support.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — CMC Markets or Darwinex?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with CMC Markets and Darwinex?
CMC Markets: MetaTrader 4, CMC Markets. Darwinex: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, DXtrade, TradingView, Trader WorkStation (TWS), WebTrader, Ninja Trader, MultiCharts, IB Gateway. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with CMC Markets and Darwinex?
CMC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Darwinex: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by CMC Markets and Darwinex?
CMC Markets: CFD. Darwinex: CFD, Classic, DARWIN of Stocks, DARWIN of Futures. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by CMC Markets and Darwinex?
CMC Markets: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Online banking. Darwinex: Skrill, Bank Transfer, UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — CMC Markets or Darwinex — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
