CMC Markets vs InstaForex 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 InstaForex?
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 InstaForex.
CMC Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 15 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas InstaForex has 4.2/5 and ranks 33.
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 InstaForex suitable for?
InstaForex is suitable for beginner traders looking for simple conditions and education but may be unsuitable for professionals with large deposits due to wide spreads and low liquidity.
Comparison Table of CMC Markets and InstaForex
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | InstaForex 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:
InstaForex Review
InstaForex is a popular broker that offers a wide range of trading instruments and specialized accounts. The unique possibility of accruing interest on the account balance, ForexCopy's automatic transaction copying service, and support for cryptocurrency trading make InstaForex an attractive choice for a variety of traders. Customer support is available round the clock, and account replenishment does not charge any commission, which is a significant plus.
InstaForex is suitable for beginner traders and investors interested in passive income through PAMM accounts, as well as for those looking for innovative features such as cryptocurrency trading and automatic trade copying.
Pros and Cons of InstaForex
Pros
- Large selection of trading instruments.
- PAMM accounts and the ForexCopy automatic trade copying service for passive income.
- 24/7 efficient customer support.
- Wide range of methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
- Decent analytical section.
Cons
- Trading commissions are above average.
- No trading accounts with market execution of orders (ECN or STP).
- Broker commission on fund withdrawals.
InstaForex is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Regulators | FCA FCA BaFin BaFin FMA FMA KNF KNF FSAN FSAN CNMV CNMV CIRO CIRO ASIC ASIC NZ FMA NZ FMA MAS MAS DFSA DFSA | BVIFSC BVIFSC CySEC CySEC SVGFSA SVGFSA SVGFSA SVGFSA |
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.
InstaForex
InstaForex operates through multiple legal entities regulated by various financial authorities. However, it should be noted that these are not the strictest or most authoritative market regulators.
Account Opening
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| 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.
InstaForex
Given the lack of minimum deposit requirements and the option to bypass verification for certain funding methods, it can be said that opening an account with InstaForex is maximally convenient and accessible.
Account Types
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.3/5 | 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 | 1:1000 |
| 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).
InstaForex
InstaForex accounts offer sufficiently flexible conditions to meet the needs of most traders.
Pros
- Cent and Islamic accounts are available
- PAMM accounts and copy trading services are provided
Cons
- No market execution of orders
Commissions
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.7/5 | 2.2/5 |
| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.7 | |
| Commission per Lot | $3 |
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.
InstaForex
InstaForex offers its clients trading commissions above average compared to other brokers.
Pros
- Transaction commission slightly below market average
- Commission rebates (rebate) are available
Cons
- Inactivity fee is charged
- Withdrawal fees may apply
- Wide spreads
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| 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.
InstaForex
InstaForex provides various flexible options for depositing and withdrawing funds, although some fees may be higher than those of some competitors. This disadvantage is offset by the company's offer of advantageous deposit bonuses.
Markets and Products
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.4/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 336 | 108 |
| Precious Metals | 19 | 8 |
| Energy Carriers | 45 | 6 |
| Soft Commodities | 58 | 13 |
| Indices | 99 | 21 |
| Stocks | 10099 | 1448 |
| ETF | 1200 | 67 |
| Bonds | 71 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 336 | 72 |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets offers various trading instruments for multiple markets but with limited maximum leverage.
InstaForex
A wide range of trading instruments is available on InstaForex, including 110 currency pairs and various Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
Trading Platforms
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
InstaForex
InstaForex offers a wide selection of platforms, which can satisfy the needs of the overwhelming majority of traders.
Analytics
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
InstaForex
A strong point of InstaForex is its robust analytical section for beginners. The company's analysts publish daily market forecasts, breakdowns of trading situations, and important economic news.
Education
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
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.
InstaForex
InstaForex provides high-quality and diverse educational materials (video tutorials, courses, webinars), benefiting beginners and advanced traders. However, access to the entire training course is open only to owners of trading accounts.
Customer Support
| Broker | CMC Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Telegram
Whatsapp
OK
VK
Viber
Skype
MessengerCMC 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.
InstaForex
The technical support of InstaForex demonstrates good customer service, offering various ways to connect and prompt responses to client inquiries.
Comparisons of CMC Markets and InstaForex with other brokers
Conclusion
CMC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while InstaForex trails on aggregate criteria.
CMC Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 15 in our rating; InstaForex has 4.2/5 and ranks 33.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: CMC Markets or InstaForex?
CMC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 15) versus InstaForex (score 4.2/5, position 33).
Which broker is better for beginners: CMC Markets or InstaForex?
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 InstaForex?
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 InstaForex?
CMC Markets: MetaTrader 4, CMC Markets. InstaForex: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, InstaForex Webtrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with CMC Markets and InstaForex?
CMC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. InstaForex: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by CMC Markets and InstaForex?
CMC Markets: CFD. InstaForex: Insta.Standard, Insta.Eurica, Cent.Standard, Cent.Eurica. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by CMC Markets and InstaForex?
CMC Markets: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Online banking. InstaForex: Skrill, Neteller, YooMoney, PayCo, AstroPay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — CMC Markets or InstaForex — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
