CMC Markets vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of CMC Markets and Interactive Brokers 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
Score 4.6 / 5
2 bonusesListed broker with global market access, lowest financing rates we benchmark, and the powerful TWS workstation.
Our Verdict
Too close to call0.1 pts apart
CMC Markets and Interactive Brokers are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.5/5 and 4.6/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
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
Interactive Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.2 pips vs 0.7 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Best for active traders
Recommended
Interactive Brokers has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.2 pips.
Best for platform choice
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer an equivalent platform selection with similar exclusive and proprietary options.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Interactive Brokers edges out CMC Markets with a higher editorial score (4.6/5 vs 4.5/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
CMC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 1989 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Greenwich, United States |
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $2/lot |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 50:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | First withdrawal/month free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin FMA | SEC FCA CMF ASIC JFSA SEBI AMF SFC FINRA DFSA CMVM NFA IIROC CNV FSC CBI CNB MFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile Trader Workstation (TWS) |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit CMC Markets | Visit Interactive Brokers |
CMC Markets vs Interactive Brokers 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
Available to US residents
Lowest margin rates in industry
150+ global markets
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
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
Steeper learning curve on TWS
No MT4 / MT5
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
CMC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
CMC Markets
criteria wins
2
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail |
| 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 |
CMC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Interactive Brokers ranks higher with a score of 4.6/5 vs 4.5/5 for CMC Markets. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; CMC Markets and Interactive Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Interactive Brokers offers tighter spreads starting from 0.2 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.
Neither CMC Markets nor Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Interactive Brokers 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: 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 Interactive Brokers offers up to 50:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 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 Interactive Brokers offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS); both support Proprietary Web/Mobile; CMC Markets exclusively offers MetaTrader 4; Interactive Brokers exclusively offers Trader Workstation (TWS).
Ready to get started?
Open an account directly with the broker that suits you best.
Score 4.5 / 5
More Broker Comparisons
More CMC Markets comparisons
More Interactive Brokers comparisons
Personalised recommendation
Not sure which broker is right for you?
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker