CMC Marketsvs
DerivForex Broker Comparison
Two brokers compete on safety and platform breadth. The axis of tension centers on regulation strength, compensation protection, and platform flexibility.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
CMC Markets edges Deriv on editorial score due to stronger regulation and investor compensation coverage.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Top-tier regulation and investor protection favor CMC Markets.
- 2No inactivity fee differentiates Deriv from CMC Markets.
- 3Instruments offered differ: 12,000 for CMC, 200 for Deriv.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs Deriv?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want top-tier regulation and investor protection, plus broad access to about 12,000 instruments.
Choose Deriv if…
Choose Deriv if you want a low entry with $5 minimum and a wide platform suite including MT5, Deriv X, and DTrader.
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 0.50 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
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 |
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
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
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 and Deriv rates 4.1/5. 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.
Deriv starts from 0.5 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 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. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
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.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Deriv lists up to 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4. Deriv has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and DXtrade.
