ActivTradesvs
CMC MarketsForex Broker Comparison
In a head-to-head review, ActivTrades and CMC Markets clash on trust, costs, and platforms. The duel highlights how platform choice and regulation shape trader experience.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.2 pts
CMC Markets outperforms ActivTrades on the editorial score, boosted by higher overall rating. The edge reflects a stronger multi jurisdiction regulatory footprint and a more advanced platform ecosystem.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1ActivTrades has no inactivity fee; CMC Markets charges after 12 months.
- 2Leverage differs: ActivTrades 400:1 vs CMC Markets 30:1.
- 3Instruments: ActivTrades about 1,000; CMC Markets about 12,000.
Who should choose ActivTrades vs CMC Markets?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want no inactivity fee.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose ActivTrades if you prefer higher leverage up to 400:1 and access to about 1,000 instruments. Choose CMC Markets if you want a leading proprietary platform and MT4 compatibility. Choose CMC Markets if you value broad instrument access with about 12,000 instruments and LSE listing.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
ActivTrades offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
ActivTrades vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
ActivTrades vs CMC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client
ActivTrader's volatility protection feature is a genuine risk management differentiator
No minimum deposit
Strong southern European presence, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
ActivTrades vs CMC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
ActivTrades
criteria win
0
CMC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs CMC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 4.3/5 and CMC Markets rates 4.5/5. 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.
ActivTrades starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than CMC Markets's 0.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither ActivTrades nor CMC Markets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and CMC Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while CMC Markets lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
