A head-to-head comparison of CMC Markets and Global Prime across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FCA-regulated and LSE-listed with one of the best proprietary platforms in retail FX and CFDs.
ASIC-regulated NDD/ECN broker with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and one of the most transparent execution reports in retail forex - a strong choice for active traders who prioritise verified execution quality over marketing.
CMC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.5/5 vs Global Prime's 4.2/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Global Prime offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.7 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
CMC Markets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Global Prime has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
CMC Markets offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
CMC Markets edges out Global Prime with a higher editorial score (4.5/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 5 |
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 | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin FMA | ASIC VFSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 cTrader |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit CMC Markets | Visit Global Prime |
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
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
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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, CMC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.5/5 vs 4.2/5 for Global Prime. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; CMC Markets and Global Prime may each suit different trader profiles.
Global Prime offers tighter spreads starting from 0 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 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. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
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 Global Prime offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Global Prime charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
CMC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile and Global Prime offers MetaTrader 4, cTrader; both support MetaTrader 4; CMC Markets exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; Global Prime exclusively offers cTrader.
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