CMC Markets vs Deriv Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of CMC Markets and Deriv across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Score 4.5 / 5
2 bonusesFCA-regulated and LSE-listed with one of the best proprietary platforms in retail FX and CFDs.
VS
Veteran retail broker with MFSA, VFSC, FSC BVI, and LFSA licensing, best known for synthetic indices - volatility-simulated instruments that trade around the clock - alongside a standard forex and CFD offering.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
CMC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.5/5 vs Deriv's 4.1/5. 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
Deriv offers tighter spreads from 0.5 pips vs 0.7 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
CMC Markets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Deriv offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 5, DXtrade, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
CMC Markets edges out Deriv with a higher editorial score (4.5/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
CMC Markets vs Deriv: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
| Founded | 1989 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Birkirkara, Malta |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $5 |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin FMA | FSC BVI VFSC LFSA MFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit CMC Markets | Visit Deriv |
CMC Markets vs Deriv Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7 - unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Cons
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
CMC Markets vs Deriv: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
CMC Markets
criteria wins
1
Deriv
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs Deriv: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, CMC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.5/5 vs 4.1/5 for Deriv. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; CMC Markets and Deriv may each suit different trader profiles.
Deriv 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 Deriv requires at least $5. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
CMC Markets holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
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.
CMC Markets offers maximum leverage of 30:1, while Deriv offers up to 1000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
CMC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile and Deriv offers MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade; both support Proprietary Web/Mobile; CMC Markets exclusively offers MetaTrader 4; Deriv exclusively offers MetaTrader 5, DXtrade.
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Score 4.1 / 5
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