CMC Marketsvs
Plus500Forex Broker Comparison
Two regulation-forward brokers battle on safety, costs, and platforms. The tension hinges on trust and instrument breadth versus proprietary tools and MT4/MT5 access.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.5 pts
CMC Markets edges Plus500 on editorial score, driven by higher trust/regulation and a broader platform offering.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1CMC Markets offers MT4/MT5 support.
- 2Plus500 offers zero-commission trades.
- 3CMC Markets lists about 12,000 instruments versus Plus500's 2,000.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs Plus500?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want MT4/MT5 access and a broad instrument range, plus strong FCA regulation.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer zero-commission trades and a simple proprietary platform.
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
Plus500 offers tighter spreads from 0.60 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 Plus500: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
CMC Markets vs Plus500 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 Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
CMC Markets
criteria wins
0
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 versus 4/5 for Plus500. CMC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Plus500 starts from 0.6 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 Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Plus500 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 Plus500 lists up to 30:1. 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 Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
