CMC Marketsvs
XTBForex Broker Comparison
In a head to head on trust, costs, and tech, CMC Markets and XTB clash over instrument breadth and platform ecosystems.
Our Verdict
Too close to call
CMC Markets and XTB are closely matched on regulation and pricing. CMC Markets offers a larger instrument universe.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Instrument universe: CMC Markets offers 12,000 tradable instruments versus XTB's 5,800.
- 2Max leverage differs: CMC 30:1 vs XTB 500:1.
- 3XTB is listed on LSE and WSE; CMC is listed only on LSE.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs XTB?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want FCA regulation and an excellent proprietary platform.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want LSE and WSE listing with the xStation 5 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
CMC Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.70 pips vs 0.80 pips for XTB, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
CMC Markets vs XTB: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
CMC Markets vs XTB 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 XTB: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 XTB: Frequently Asked Questions
CMC Markets and XTB share the same editorial score of 4.5/5. One concrete differentiator: CMC Markets has tighter spreads from 0.7 pips.
CMC Markets starts from 0.7 pips, tighter than XTB's 0.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither CMC Markets nor XTB requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and XTB 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 XTB 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.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
