Two mid-sized, regulation-heavy brokers clash over breadth, protection, and platforms. As they push different strengths, readers weigh which offers better cost efficiency and risk safeguards.
CMC Markets edges ahead overall with a higher editorial score, stronger regulation, and robust platforms; ACY Securities trails on instrument breadth and compensation coverage.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want raw ECN spreads and a choice of MT4/MT5 with a lower minimum deposit.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you prioritise a broad instrument universe, an investor compensation scheme, and a strong proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ACY Securities offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Pros
2,200+ instruments including share CFDs and ETF CFDs
TradingView integration for browser-based chart execution
ASIC regulated with Tier 1 investor protections
Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips at $7 round-turn commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | 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) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | 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 | Fail | 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 |
CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 versus 4/5 for ACY Securities. CMC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ACY Securities starts from 0 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.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities 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, two factors stand out: CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
ACY Securities charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for CMC Markets are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
CMC Markets wins for safety & regulation due to FCA licensing and multiple regulators.
ACY Securities dominates active traders with raw ECN spreads and higher leverage.
ACY Securities is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
CMC Markets wins for platform choice with a leading proprietary platform and MT4 support.
CMC Markets wins for beginners due to zero minimum deposit and investor protections.
CMC Markets wins for instrument variety with 12,000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 1989 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1▲ higher | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | £10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
FCA-regulated, LSE-listed
Excellent proprietary platform
MT4 also available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
$200 minimum for ECN Ultra account
Less established brand than IC Markets or Pepperstone in Australia
Limited proprietary tools
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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