This showdown pits two regulated brokers with strong but different platform offerings. The axis is trust and costs versus platform depth and execution tools.
CMC Markets edges Windsor Brokers on editorial score, powered by FCA-regulated status, LSE listing, and a proprietary platform.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want a proprietary platform with advanced charting and broad instrument access.
Choose Windsor Brokers if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you want no inactivity fee and ECN pricing on MT4/MT5.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 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 | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 versus 4/5 for Windsor Brokers. CMC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Windsor Brokers starts from 0 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
CMC Markets holds top-tier regulation (DFSA, FMA, FCA), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers 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.
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 Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 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 Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
CMC Markets wins for safety and regulation due to FCA and other tier regulators.
Windsor Brokers appeals to active traders with ECN pricing on MT4/MT5.
Windsor Brokers is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
CMC Markets wins for platform choice with a proprietary platform and MT4.
CMC Markets is best for beginners due to zero minimum deposit and protections.
CMC Markets provides 12,000 instruments versus Windsor's 200.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1989 | 1988 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Nicosia, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.8 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | DFSA FMA FCA ASIC BaFin | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 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
35+ years of continuous operation, one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
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
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
Cons
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5, no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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