CMC Markets vs Skilling Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of CMC Markets and Skilling 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
Modern Swedish-founded broker with CySEC and FCA regulation, a visually polished proprietary platform, and cTrader for advanced traders - well-positioned for EU retail clients seeking a contemporary alternative to legacy MetaTrader brokers.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
CMC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.5/5 vs Skilling's 4.1/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.7 pips.
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 platform choice
Recommended
Skilling offers more exclusive platform options: cTrader, Skilling Trader, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
CMC Markets edges out Skilling with a higher editorial score (4.5/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
CMC Markets vs Skilling: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
| Founded | 1989 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Valletta, Malta |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin FMA | FCA FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 cTrader Skilling Trader |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit CMC Markets | Visit Skilling |
CMC Markets vs Skilling 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
Clean modern Skilling Trader platform - excellent UX for new-to-intermediate traders
cTrader available with raw spreads from 0.0 pips
CySEC and FCA regulation with EU and UK investor protections
Growing Latin American presence with local-language support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Cons
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
Newer broker - less track record than IG or Pepperstone
Product range narrower than multi-asset brokers
No phone support
CMC Markets vs Skilling: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
CMC Markets
criteria win
2
Skilling
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs Skilling: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, CMC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.5/5 vs 4.1/5 for Skilling. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; CMC Markets and Skilling may each suit different trader profiles.
Both CMC Markets and Skilling offer spreads starting from 0.7 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
CMC Markets has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Skilling requires at least $100. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Skilling 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 Skilling 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.
CMC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile and Skilling offers MetaTrader 4, cTrader, Skilling Trader; both support MetaTrader 4; CMC Markets exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; Skilling exclusively offers cTrader, Skilling Trader.
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Score 4.1 / 5
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