Comparison of CMC Markets and Plus500
| Feature | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2008 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | FCA, BaFin, FMA, KNF, FSAN, CNMV, CIRO, ASIC, NZ FMA, MAS, DFSA | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, NZ FMA, FSCA, SFSA, EFSA, MAS, CFTC, NFA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), CMC Markets | Plus500 |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill |
| Inactivity Fee | $15 per month after 12 months | $10 per month after 3 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✔ | ✔ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✖ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✖ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Plus500 Review |
About CMC Markets
CMC Markets is a well-established forex and CFD broker founded in 1989, renowned for its robust trading platforms, competitive spreads, and extensive range of tradable assets. With a global presence and regulation in top-tier jurisdictions, the broker caters to both beginners and experienced traders. CMC Markets offers access to forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and shares, supported by advanced tools and educational resources to enhance trading experiences.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities, including the FCA and ASIC
- Comprehensive range of tradable instruments across multiple asset classes
- Intuitive and feature-rich proprietary trading platform, Next Generation
- Competitive pricing with tight spreads and no commission on most trades
- Exceptional educational resources and market research tools
Cons
- Does not offer services to U.S. clients due to regulatory restrictions
- Trading fees can be higher for less active traders
- Limited deposit and withdrawal methods compared to other brokers
About Plus500
Plus500 is a leading CFD broker known for its simple and intuitive trading platform. Founded in 2008 and regulated by top-tier authorities such as the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), Plus500 provides a secure trading environment with access to a wide range of instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, shares, and ETFs. The broker is particularly praised for its user-friendly web and mobile platforms, which offer a streamlined trading experience without unnecessary complexity. While Plus500 excels in providing competitive spreads and no commission fees, it does not support third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, which may deter traders who rely on advanced charting and automated trading tools. Additionally, educational resources are somewhat limited compared to competitors, making it less ideal for traders seeking in-depth learning materials. Despite these drawbacks, Plus500 remains a popular choice for traders who prioritize ease of use and access to diverse trading instruments.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC, ASIC)
- Simple and intuitive proprietary trading platform
- Wide range of tradable instruments, including forex, stocks, and commodities
- Competitive spreads and no commission on trades
- User-friendly mobile app with real-time notifications
- Free and unlimited demo account for practice
Cons
- No support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- Limited educational resources for beginner traders
- Inactivity fees for dormant accounts
- No phone-based customer support; only live chat and email
CMC Markets & Plus500 Regulation
| Feature | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Companies | CMC Markets UK plc, CMC Markets Germany GmbH, CMC Markets Canada Inc, CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, CMC Markets NZ Limited, CMC Markets Singapore Pte Ltd, CMC Markets Middle East Ltd | Plus500CY Ltd, Plus500UK Ltd, Plus500AU Pty Ltd, Plus500SEY Ltd, Plus500EE, Plus500SG Pte Ltd, Plus500US Ltd |
Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
Regulators | FCA, BaFin, FMA, KNF, FSAN, CNMV, CIRO, ASIC, NZ FMA, MAS, DFSA | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, NZ FMA, FSCA, SFSA, EFSA, MAS, CFTC, NFA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | CFD | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Min Spread | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 100% |
| Margin Call | 80% | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill |
Inactivity fee | $15 per month after 12 months | $10 per month after 3 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), CMC Markets | Plus500 |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 336 | 65 |
Indices | 99 | 36 |
Stocks | 10099 | 1550 |
Cryptocurrencies | 336 | 0 |
Bonds | 71 | 0 |
Metals | 19 | 5 |
Energies | 45 | 7 |
Soft Commodities | 58 | 10 |
ETFs | 1200 | 96 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Email | clientmanagement@cmcmarkets.co.uk | support@plus500.com |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | — |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing CMC Markets and Plus500, Plus500 comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.