CMC Marketsvs
ThinkMarketsForex Broker Comparison
In a head-to-head on regulation, fees, and platforms, CMC Markets and ThinkMarkets clash over trust, pricing, and trading tools. Readers will see where each edge lies.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.3 pts
CMC Markets edges ThinkMarkets on editorial score, driven by broader regulatory coverage and a stronger proprietary platform.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1ThinkMarkets offers raw spreads; CMC markets do not.
- 2ThinkMarkets max leverage 500:1; CMC max 30:1.
- 3CMC offers 12,000 instruments; ThinkMarkets offers 4,000.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want FCA regulation, broader oversight, and a leading proprietary platform.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want high leverage and raw spreads.
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
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.40 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 ThinkMarkets: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
CMC Markets
criteria wins
2
ThinkMarkets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 and ThinkMarkets rates 4.2/5. CMC Markets 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.
ThinkMarkets starts from 0.4 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 ThinkMarkets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 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 ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
