This comparison pits CMC Markets and Plus500 in regulated CFD crypto. It weighs asset breadth against platform features.
CMC Markets tops Plus500 on the editorial score. Its broader range of 100+ crypto CFDs and advanced Next Generation platform justify the lead within a regulated framework.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want 100+ crypto CFDs, advanced charting, and phone support.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you want a beginner friendly Web Trader with no MetaTrader 4.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Equally matched due to strong regulation and segregated client funds across both brokers.
Plus500 offers lower fees via spread-only pricing and no commissions.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | $10/month (after 3 months) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.1/5 and Plus500 rates 3.7/5. CMC Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Plus500 lists a lower spread from 0.6, compared with CMC Markets's 0.7. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both CMC Markets and Plus500 hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
CMC Markets offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Plus500's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
CMC Markets leads coin selection with 100+ crypto CFDs.
Plus500 is best for beginners due to no minimum deposit and beginner-friendly Web Trader.
Equally matched as neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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