CMC Markets Review

Verdict (At a Glance)

Best for

  • Active forex, CFD and spread betting traders who want broad markets and professional-grade tools.
  • New traders willing to use a feature-rich proprietary platform and learn markets slowly.
  • Experienced technical analysts and intraday traders who need advanced charting and order types.

Not ideal for

  • Investors seeking direct share ownership or a simple, low-complexity trading interface.

CMC Markets

FCA-regulated broker founded in 1989, known for powerful proprietary charting tools, thousands of CFD instruments and no minimum deposit.

low-feesadvanced
Min. Deposit
£0
Visit CMC Markets

Affiliate link · Disclosure

Who This Review Is For

This review is for UK-based traders and investors who:

  • Trade CFDs, forex, indices or spread bets under FCA regulation.
  • Value advanced research tools and charting.
  • Plan to trade actively rather than purely invest.
  • Want access to multiple platform options.
  • Compare execution quality, fees, and platform power before choosing a broker.

Evaluation Criteria

We assessed CMC Markets on:

  • Regulation & safety (FCA authorised in UK).
  • Costs (spread, commission & financing).
  • Platform and tooling strength.
  • Asset coverage and depth.
  • User-reported experience (Trustpilot and specialist reviews).
  • Suitability by trader type.

Overview: CMC Markets at a Glance

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in London, CMC Markets is a well-established and FCA-regulated broker offering CFDs, forex, indices, commodities and spread betting to UK clients. It also provides advanced proprietary and third-party platforms, widely regarded for research and charting capabilities.

Strengths

  • ✔FCA regulation and segregated client funds.
  • ✔Broad product coverage — thousands of CFD instruments.
  • ✔Powerful platforms and charting tools.
  • ✔No minimum deposit requirement.
  • ✔Competitive pricing on core markets.

Limitations

  • ✘Platform complexity may overwhelm beginners.
  • ✘Costs on some share CFDs and overnight financing can be above entry-level alternatives.
  • ✘No direct ownership of real shares/ETFs in UK CFD accounts.

Regulation & Safety

CMC Markets UK plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring client funds are held in segregated accounts and subject to UK financial service standards. Retail clients may be eligible for protection via the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) on certain balances.

When to avoid: If you prefer brokers not under FCA oversight or need products only available through unregulated jurisdictions.

Platforms & Tools

CMC offers its proprietary 'Next Generation' platform, known for strong charting, order types, and research tools. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for forex and CFD trading via a familiar third-party interface. Mobile apps with advanced watchlists and alerts. User feedback and specialist reviews note the platform depth and analytical tools are strong points, though beginners may find the interface initially complex.

Costs & Fees

CMC Markets generally charges through spreads and financing rather than high entry fees. Forex spreads are competitive on major pairs. CFDs have broad coverage with tight pricing on indices and FX; share CFD fees vary. No minimum deposit requirement. Overnight financing costs apply to leveraged positions, and there may be inactivity fees after extended dormancy. Costs overall are transparent and competitive in core markets, though fees on share CFDs and other instruments may be higher than some niche low-cost brokers.

Asset Coverage

CMC Markets offers access to an extensive range of instruments as CFDs and spread bets, including forex (major, minor and exotic pairs), indices (global equity and sector indices), commodities (metals, energies, agris), shares & ETFs (CFDs) — thousands of instruments, and spread betting options for UK traders. Real share/ETF ownership is not offered via the UK CFD entity — CFD exposure is derivative-based rather than direct asset ownership.

Customer Feedback Snapshot

On Trustpilot, many UK users rate CMC Markets highly for platform reliability and trading experience, though some feedback highlights occasional customer service or pricing execution frustrations. Overall sentiment among verified reviewers is moderately positive, with several recent 5-star reviews emphasising ease of use and platform stability.

Cost Comparison Logic

Compared with simpler spread brokers, CMC Markets' pricing model is spread-based with occasional commissions (e.g., share CFDs), transparent about costs with no hidden commissions on many assets, and market competitive, though specific markets (like share CFD fees) may be higher than low-cost execution-only brokers. Traders should consider anticipated trading frequency and products (FX vs share CFDs) when assessing total cost.

Risks & Considerations

  • CFDs and spread betting involve leverage risk and can amplify losses.
  • Platform complexity may slow adoption for new traders.
  • Financing costs and overnight fees can accumulate on longer positions.
  • Market volatility can widen spreads and affect execution quality.
  • All leveraged products carry risk and require careful position management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — CMC Markets UK plc is FCA-regulated with segregated client funds.

Methodology & Disclosure

This review aggregates independent broker data, platform documentation, and verified user feedback. It is presented neutrally and does not constitute financial advice. Affiliate participation does not influence evaluation criteria.

Alternatives to CMC Markets

Capital.com

FCA-regulated CFD and spread betting broker with an intuitive platform suited to beginners and cost-conscious traders.

beginnersregulatedlow-fees
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Affiliate link · Disclosure

Pepperstone

Execution-focused CFD and forex broker with tight raw spreads, MT4/MT5/cTrader access and FCA regulation.

advancedlow-fees
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Trade with Pepperstone

Affiliate link · Disclosure

IG

One of the UK's largest and longest-established brokers, offering CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, ISA and SIPP under FCA regulation.

beginnersregulatedmulti-asset
Min. Deposit
£0
Trade with IG

Affiliate link · Disclosure

Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links to brokers and products featured on this site. This compensation does not influence our rankings, reviews, or recommendations. We maintain editorial independence and provide objective comparisons. Read our full disclosure policy.

Risk Warning: This website does not provide financial, investment, or trading advice. All information is for educational purposes only. Trading and investing involve substantial risk of loss. You should carefully consider your financial situation and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions.

Last updated: 2026-01-15