CMC Markets vs FOREX.com Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
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 FOREX.com?
Our pick: CMC Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - CMC Markets looks preferable to FOREX.com.
CMC Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 16 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas FOREX.com has 4.1/5 and ranks 37.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is CMC Markets suitable for?
Broker CMC Markets is suitable for all traders thanks to its reliability, low commissions, and excellent trading platform.
Who is FOREX.com suitable for?
FOREX.com is suitable for traders of all levels due to its reliability, wide range of assets, and excellent customer service.
Comparison Table of CMC Markets and FOREX.com
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 2000 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | Cayman Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Australia |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:50 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | FOREX.com 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:
FOREX.com Review
FOREX.com is an excellent broker for trading in the Forex and CFD markets. They offer fast execution speeds, a wide selection of currency pairs, and other assets for trading. Their customer service is outstanding, and multiple financial authorities regulate them.
Pros and Cons of FOREX.com
Pros
- Broker with many years of history and a global reputation.
- A variety of deposit methods.
- A wide variety of available markets and products.
- Advanced analytical tools and daily updates from the company's professionals.
- Comprehensive educational materials for all levels of traders.
Cons
- Lack of specialized accounts.
- High transaction fee on DMA Account.
FOREX.com is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 2000 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | Cayman Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Australia |
| 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.
FOREX.com
The company is strictly regulated, has a long-standing market presence, and is open to investors.
Pros
- Broad global regulation.
- Long-term market presence.
- Parent company traded on NASDAQ.
Account Opening
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
FOREX.com
The account opening process at FOREX.com is quite standard but potentially prolonged due to required verification.
Pros
- Transparent registration process.
- Strict verification for security.
Cons
- Verification may take time.
- A lot of information is required.
Account Types
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:50 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
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).
FOREX.com
FOREX.com offers standard account types that satisfy most traders, but some essential accounts are missing.
Pros
- Direct Market Access account available.
- Demo account for strategy testing.
- The ability to trade on behalf of a company.
Cons
- No cent accounts.
- No Islamic accounts.
- No options for passive investing.
Commissions
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.7/5 | 2.2/5 |
| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.1 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| Commission per Lot | $6.48 |
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.
FOREX.com
FOREX.com's commissions are above average. Conditions can be improved for traders with high volumes.
Pros
- Potential reduction in commissions with increased trading volume.
- Rebate program for major American traders.
- No fees for deposits and withdrawals.
Cons
- High transaction commission on DMA accounts.
- Inactivity fee.
- High swaps.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| 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.
FOREX.com
FOREX.com provides diverse and convenient methods for depositing and withdrawing funds with low costs and reasonable processing times.
Markets and Products
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 336 | 91 |
| Precious Metals | 19 | 16 |
| Energy Carriers | 45 | 14 |
| Soft Commodities | 58 | 22 |
| Indices | 99 | 54 |
| Stocks | 10099 | 5500 |
| ETF | 1200 | 318 |
| Bonds | 71 | 14 |
| Cryptocurrency | 336 | 12 |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets offers various trading instruments for multiple markets but with limited maximum leverage.
FOREX.com
Although its leverage is relatively low, FOREX.com offers an extensive selection of markets and products.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
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.
FOREX.com
FOREX.com provides a wide choice of trading platforms, including MT4, its proprietary platform, NinjaTrader, and TradingView, supporting all formats - online, desktop, and mobile applications.
Analytics
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 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.
FOREX.com
Analytics at FOREX.com is a powerful tool for traders, providing extensive information and in-depth market analysis.
Education
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 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.
FOREX.com
FOREX.com offers a rich educational program suitable for all levels of traders, enhancing the user experience.
Customer Support
| Broker | CMC Markets | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedInCMC 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.
FOREX.com
FOREX.com provides excellent technical support with fast and professional service, available 24/7.
Comparisons of CMC Markets and FOREX.com with other brokers
Conclusion
CMC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while FOREX.com trails on aggregate criteria.
CMC Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 16 in our rating; FOREX.com has 4.1/5 and ranks 37.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: CMC Markets or FOREX.com?
CMC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 16) versus FOREX.com (score 4.1/5, position 37).
Which broker is better for beginners: CMC Markets or FOREX.com?
CMC Markets is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — CMC Markets or FOREX.com?
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 FOREX.com?
CMC Markets: MetaTrader 4, CMC Markets. FOREX.com: FOREX.com, Ninja Trader, MetaTrader 4, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with CMC Markets and FOREX.com?
CMC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. FOREX.com: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by CMC Markets and FOREX.com?
CMC Markets: CFD. FOREX.com: Standard, MT4, DMA. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by CMC Markets and FOREX.com?
CMC Markets: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Online banking. FOREX.com: Neteller, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — CMC Markets or FOREX.com — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
