Two brokers contrast on regulation, pricing, and platforms. The clash tests whether breadth of instruments or investor protection drives value.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want 24/5 live chat support, a $0 minimum deposit, and no raw spread option.
Choose if…
Choose Dukascopy if you want raw spreads from 0.1 pips with ECN liquidity and a $1,000 minimum deposit.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.9 / 5▲ |
Pros
FCA-regulated, LSE-listed
Excellent proprietary platform
MT4 also available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Dukascopy |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 and Dukascopy rates 4.3/5. 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.
Dukascopy starts from 0.1 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 Dukascopy requires at least $1000. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Dukascopy 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.
CMC Markets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Dukascopy lists up to 200:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Dukascopy charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for CMC Markets are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Dukascopy supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime.
Dukascopy offers tighter spreads from 0.10 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Dukascopy wins for safety and regulation, holding FINMA banking licence and segregated funds protection.
Dukascopy suits active traders thanks to ECN liquidity and 0.1 pip spreads during market overlaps.
Dukascopy is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.10 pips.
CMC Markets wins for platform choice due to proprietary tools and ProRealTime alongside MT4.
CMC Markets is best for beginners with a $0 minimum deposit and extensive client support.
CMC Markets leads in instrument variety with around 12,000 products.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1989 | 2004 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,000 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.1 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.8 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1▲ higher | 200:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA DFSA BaFin FMA | FSA Seychelles FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Full FINMA banking licence - client cash protected under Swiss deposit guarantee up to CHF 100,000
Genuine interbank SWFX ECN liquidity from 14+ institutional providers
EUR/USD variable spreads from 0.1 pips during London/New York overlap
JForex supports Java/Groovy strategy automation built into the platform
Banking-grade transparency with published balance sheet
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
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
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Cons
CHF 1,000 minimum deposit excludes traders starting with less than USD 1,000
JForex has a steep learning curve; designed for professional clients
Customer support primarily Swiss business hours
Not available to US residents
No negative balance protection
No 24/5 live chat
CMC Markets edges out Dukascopy on the editorial score (4.5 vs 4.3). It combines FCA regulation and a broader instrument universe.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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