Comparison of CMC Markets and Questrade
Feature | CMC Markets | Questrade |
---|---|---|
Broker | ||
Year Founded | 1989 | 1999 |
Broker Type | MM | DMA |
Dealing | B-book | A‑book |
Execution | Market | Market |
Regulation | FCA, BaFin, FMA, KNF, FSAN, CNMV, CIRO, ASIC, NZ FMA, MAS, DFSA | CIRO |
Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), CMC Markets | Questrade Edge, Questrade Trading, QuestMobile, Questrade Global |
Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:20 |
Minimum Deposit | $1 | $250 |
Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD | CAD, USD |
Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal | Bank Wire, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), Pre‑authorized Deposit, Online Bill Payment, Visa Debit |
Inactivity Fee | $15 per month after 12 months | ✖ |
Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | CIPF |
Protection Size | £85 000 | CAD 1000000 |
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 | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Precious Metals, Forex, CFDs |
Review | CMC Markets Review | Questrade 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 Questrade
Questrade is Canada’s leading discount broker, founded in 1999. Regulated by CIRO and protected by CIPF, it lets Canadian residents trade stocks, ETFs, options, bonds and 110+ forex pairs from a single account. With commission‑free equity trades, spreads from 0.8 pips on FX and advanced Questrade Edge platforms, it appeals to both long term investors and active traders.
Pros
- Commission‑free stock & ETF trades
- 110+ FX pairs with tight 0.8 pip targets
- Advanced Questrade Edge desktop and web platforms
- CIPF protection plus extra private insurance
- Fractional shares and wide range of registered accounts
Cons
- Accounts available to Canadian residents only
- No direct crypto trading (ETFs only)
- No negative‑balance protection
- Limited funding methods for non‑bank transfers
CMC Markets & Questrade Regulation
Feature | CMC Markets | Questrade |
---|---|---|
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 | Questrade, Inc., Questrade Wealth Management Inc. |
Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | Canada |
Regulators | FCA, BaFin, FMA, KNF, FSAN, CNMV, CIRO, ASIC, NZ FMA, MAS, DFSA | CIRO |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | CIPF |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | CAD 1000000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
Account | CMC Markets | Questrade |
---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
Account Name | CFD | — |
Min Deposit | $1 | — |
Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
Spread Type | Floating | — |
Execution | Market | — |
Min Spread | 0.7 | — |
Fee | No | — |
Max Leverage | 1:30 | — |
Stop Out | 50% | — |
Margin Call | 80% | — |
DMA Account | ||
Account Name | — | FX & CFD |
Min Deposit | — | $250 |
Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
Spread Type | — | Floating |
Execution | — | Market |
Min Spread | — | 0.8 |
Fee | — | No |
Max Leverage | — | 1:20 |
Stop Out | — | 50% |
Margin Call | — | 80% |
Additional Features | ||
Demo Account | ||
VIP Account | ||
Swap-Free Account | ||
Copy Trading | ||
VPS | ||
PAMM/MAM Accounts |
Funding and Fees
Feature | CMC Markets | Questrade |
---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD | CAD, USD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal | Bank Wire, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), Pre‑authorized Deposit, Online Bill Payment, Visa Debit |
Inactivity fee | $15 per month after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
Feature | CMC Markets | Questrade |
---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), CMC Markets | Questrade Edge, Questrade Trading, QuestMobile, Questrade Global |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | 10 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
Asset | CMC Markets | Questrade |
---|---|---|
Currencies | 336 | 110 |
Indices | 99 | 15 |
Stocks | 10099 | 8000 |
Cryptocurrencies | 336 | 0 |
Bonds | 71 | 100 |
Metals | 19 | 10 |
Energies | 45 | 5 |
Soft Commodities | 58 | 0 |
ETFs | 1200 | 3000 |
Education and Analytics
Feature | CMC Markets | Questrade |
---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
Contact | CMC Markets | Questrade |
---|---|---|
Email | clientmanagement@cmcmarkets.co.uk | support@questrade.com |
Phone | — | +18887837866 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter | ||
TikTok | — | TikTok |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing CMC Markets and Questrade, CMC Markets 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
CMC Markets Comparisons
Questrade 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.