Two regulated forex brokers face off on regulation, pricing, and platform ecosystems. The axis of tension is which offers the right mix of access and tools for different traders.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose BDSwiss if you want a low $10 minimum deposit and ECN-like raw spreads.
Choose if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want broad instrument access and a leading proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Pros
$10 minimum deposit (Classic account) - lowest among CySEC-regulated MT4/MT5 brokers
CySEC (199/13) regulation with ICF compensation scheme for EU clients
MT4, MT5, and proprietary WebTrader
Prime ECN account: raw 0.0 pip spreads at $6/lot commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | BDSwiss | 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 | 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 |
CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 versus 3.9/5 for BDSwiss. CMC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
BDSwiss 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 BDSwiss requires at least $10. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both BDSwiss 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.
BDSwiss lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
BDSwiss charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for CMC Markets are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
BDSwiss supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. BDSwiss has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime.
BDSwiss offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
CMC Markets benefits from FCA regulation and wider regulator mix than BDSwiss.
CMC Markets wins due to larger instrument universe and robust platform capabilities.
BDSwiss is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
CMC Markets offers a highly regarded proprietary platform alongside MT4.
CMC Markets has about 12,000 instruments, far more than BDSwiss.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 1989 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $10 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | £10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSA Seychelles CySEC FSC | ASIC FCA DFSA BaFin FMA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | 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
Proprietary trading platform 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
Classic account spreads (1.5-2.0 pips EUR/USD) wide for active traders
$1,000 minimum on the Prime ECN account
No cTrader or TradingView integration
Research tools are basic
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
CMC Markets is the editorial winner, with stronger regulation, platforms, and pricing than BDSwiss.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker