This comparison pits two FCA-regulated brokers against each other on pricing, platforms, and instrument availability, highlighting diverging approaches to margins, tooling, and accessibility.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want MT4/MT5 access and a broad instrument range.
Choose if…
Choose Spreadex if you want TradingView charting and no inactivity fee.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 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 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail |
CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 versus 4/5 for Spreadex. CMC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Spreadex 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.
Neither CMC Markets nor Spreadex requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Spreadex 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 Spreadex 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 Spreadex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4. Spreadex has exclusive access to TradingView.
Spreadex offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
CMC Markets wins for safety and regulation with broader regulator coverage.
CMC Markets wins for active traders due to MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting tools.
Spreadex is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
CMC Markets offers a wider platform mix including MT4/MT5, ProRealTime, and proprietary apps.
Spreadex wins for beginners with no minimum deposit and no commission on spread bets.
CMC Markets leads for instrument variety with 12,000 instruments versus 10,000 at Spreadex.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1989 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 30:1 |
|---|
| 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 transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA DFSA BaFin FMA | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
|---|
| 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
FCA-regulated (190941) UK spread betting on 10,000+ financial markets
TradingView integration for browser-based charting and order execution
UK capital gains tax-free profits on spread bets under current HMRC rules
Unique dual financial and sports spread betting from one FCA account
No minimum deposit and no commission on spread bets
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Cons
UK residents only - no international client access
No MT4 or MT5 available
Research tools minimal
Not suitable for traders who need raw ECN execution
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
Support available in limited languages
CMC Markets outperforms Spreadex on the overall editorial score. Its higher score reflects stronger trust & regulation and a more capable platform.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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