Admirals vs CMC Markets Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Admirals and CMC Markets across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Multi-regulated broker with extensive account range, competitive Zero account spreads, strong EU regulation and quality webinar and education content.
VS
Score 4.5 / 5
2 bonusesFCA-regulated and LSE-listed with one of the best proprietary platforms in retail FX and CFDs.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.2 pts
CMC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.5/5 vs Admirals's 4.3/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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
Admirals offers tighter spreads from 0.5 pips vs 0.7 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Best for active traders
Recommended
Admirals has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.5 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
CMC Markets offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
CMC Markets edges out Admirals with a higher editorial score (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
Admirals 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 | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 2001 | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Tallinn, Estonia | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC KNF | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin FMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Admirals | Visit CMC Markets |
Admirals vs CMC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Extensive range of accounts including Zero, Trade, and Invest
Strong FCA and CySEC regulation covering EU and UK traders
High-quality educational content including live webinars
Zero account offers spreads from 0.5 pips with $6 round-turn commission
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
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
Platform-heavy - MT4 and MT5 only, no proprietary platform
Customer support quality varies by region
Not available to US clients
Inactivity fee applies
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Admirals
criteria win
1
CMC Markets
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Admirals | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | 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 |
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, CMC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5 for Admirals. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Admirals and CMC Markets may each suit different trader profiles.
Admirals offers tighter spreads starting from 0.5 pips, compared to CMC Markets's spreads from 0.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
CMC Markets has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Admirals requires at least $100. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Admirals and CMC Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: CMC Markets has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Admirals offers maximum leverage of 500:1, while CMC Markets offers up to 30:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Admirals charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and CMC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile; both support MetaTrader 4; Admirals exclusively offers MetaTrader 5; CMC Markets exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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Score 4.3 / 5
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