In this comparison, regulated FX brokers are measured on trust, costs, and platform capabilities. The tilt hinges on regulation strength and a proprietary platform versus raw spreads and execution quality.
CMC Markets edges Global Prime on the editorial score. This is driven by stronger trust/regulation and a superior proprietary platform.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want a proprietary platform and broad regulator coverage.
Choose Global Prime if…
Choose Global Prime if you prioritise raw spreads and MT4/cTrader platform options.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Global Prime offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 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 | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 and Global Prime rates 4.2/5. 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.
Global Prime 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.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while Global Prime requires at least $200. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Global Prime 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.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Global Prime lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Global Prime 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 Global Prime supports cTrader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Global Prime has exclusive access to cTrader.
CMC Markets wins safety due to FCA regulation and funds held in segregated accounts.
Global Prime wins with raw spreads and true NDD execution.
Global Prime is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Global Prime offers MT4 and cTrader, expanding choices beyond a single platform.
CMC Markets is accessible to beginners with a $0 deposit and strong support.
CMC Markets offers about 12,000 instruments, far more than Global Prime.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1989 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Sydney, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $200 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin | ASIC VFSC |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader 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
ASIC regulated with published quarterly execution quality reports
Raw spreads from 0.0 pips with $7 round-turn commission
True NDD execution, no internal position matching
MT4 and cTrader available
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
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Cons
$200 minimum deposit
Limited product range, forex and major CFD classes only
No proprietary platform or copy trading
No investor compensation scheme
No 24/5 live chat
No phone support
Support available in limited languages
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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