CMC Marketsvs
Interactive BrokersForex Broker Comparison
Two established retail forex brokers face off on regulation, costs, and platform choice. The axis of tension centers on platform availability and pricing structures.
Our Verdict
Too close to call0.1 pts apart
CMC Markets and Interactive Brokers are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is MT4/MT5 availability, with CMC Markets offering MT4/MT5 while Interactive Brokers does not.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1CMC Markets offers 24/5 live chat while Interactive Brokers does not.
- 2CMC Markets provides MT4/MT5 support while Interactive Brokers does not.
- 3Interactive Brokers has no inactivity fee; CMC Markets charges after 12 months.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you value 24/5 live chat support and MT4/MT5 availability.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you prioritize the lowest margin rates and access to 17000 instruments.
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 0.20 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
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▲ |
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
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
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 and Interactive Brokers rates 4.6/5. Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers starts from 0.2 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.
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. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Interactive Brokers lists up to 50:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 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 Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
