Two brokers go head to head on regulation, pricing and platform depth, exposing clear tensions between safety, costs, and technology.
CMC Markets edges out MIFX on top-tier regulation, negative balance protection, and a much larger instrument universe.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want top-tier regulation and a broad instrument universe.
Choose MIFX if…
Choose MIFX if you prefer Indonesian regulation with local deposits and a raw spread account.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.70 pips vs 1.50 pips for MIFX, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 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 | MIFX |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Fail |
CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 versus 3.8/5 for MIFX. CMC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
CMC Markets starts from 0.7 pips, tighter than MIFX's 1.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while MIFX requires at least $30. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
CMC Markets holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. MIFX may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
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 MIFX lists up to 100:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while MIFX supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime.
CMC Markets wins for safety and regulation, with top-tier authorities and segregated client funds.
CMC Markets wins with advanced charting and broad instrument access.
MIFX is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
CMC Markets dominates platform choice with a leading proprietary platform and MT4 support.
CMC Markets wins instrument variety with about 12,000 tradable assets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1989 | 2003 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Jakarta, Indonesia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $30 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips▼ lower | 1.5 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1▲ higher | 100:1 |
|---|
| 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 transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin | BAPPEBTI OJK |
|---|
| 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
Over 20 years of operation as an Indonesian-licensed broker
Holds both BAPPEBTI and OJK licences, full domestic regulatory compliance
Supports local Indonesian bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals
IDR account denomination avoids currency conversion costs
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Cons
Only available to Indonesian residents, no international clients
Limited asset classes compared to international brokers
Leverage capped at 100:1 under BAPPEBTI rules
No top-tier regulatory licence
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
Limited charting capabilities
Support available in limited languages
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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