Two brokers clash over regulation scope and platform strength. The debate hinges on protection, compensation, and the breadth of offerings.
CMC Markets edges BlackBull Markets on the editorial score. Its higher trust/regulation and stronger platform options underpin the overall lead.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose BlackBull Markets if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you want no inactivity fee.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you value investor compensation and a strong proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
BlackBull Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Pros
Supports all three major platforms: MT4, MT5, and cTrader
Regulated under FSC, well-established for offshore clients
No minimum deposit on standard account
Good for Asia-Pacific timezone traders
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | BlackBull Markets | 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 |
The scores are close: BlackBull Markets rates 4.1/5 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.
BlackBull Markets 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.
Neither BlackBull Markets nor CMC Markets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. BlackBull Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and DXtrade. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
CMC Markets wins for safety due to top-tier regulators (FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FMA, DFSA) and investor compensation.
BlackBull Markets wins for active traders due to higher instrument count and raw spreads.
BlackBull Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
BlackBull Markets wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5 and cTrader alongside TradingView.
CMC Markets wins for beginners due to investor compensation and clear regulatory protections.
BlackBull Markets wins for instrument variety with 26,000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 1989 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 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 cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FMA | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView DXtrade MetaTrader 4 | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Raw spread account available
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
ECN commission of $6/lot round-turn is above some peers
Customer support timezone is NZ-centric
Brand recognition outside APAC is limited
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 4.1 / 5
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