This comparison contrasts Capital.com's low deposit and zero commissions with CMC Markets' robust platforms and broader instrument range.
CMC Markets edges Capital.com on the editorial score, supported by MT4 availability and a larger instrument universe.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Capital.com if…
Choose Capital.com if you want a very low $20 minimum deposit and a proprietary platform with AI-powered insights.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want MT4 support and a larger instrument universe.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Pros
Very low $20 minimum deposit
AI-powered pattern recognition built into proprietary platform
Zero commission on all trades
FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and MAS regulation
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Capital.com | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Capital.com 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.
Capital.com starts from 0.6 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 Capital.com requires at least $20. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Capital.com 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.
Capital.com 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.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
Equally matched; both provide strong regulation and fund segregation.
CMC Markets wins for active traders thanks to MT4 support and a broader instrument universe.
Capital.com is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
CMC Markets edges Capital.com with both MT4 and a robust proprietary platform.
CMC Markets provides around 12,000 instruments, more than Capital.com.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2016 | 1989 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $20 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 3 months) | £10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPalApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
Proprietary platform only, no MT4 or MT5
Limited product range for advanced traders
No phone support
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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