ACY Securities and CMC Markets go head to head over regulation, platforms, and global reach. The tension hinges on research tools and exchange coverage.
CMC Markets edges ACY Securities on the editorial score, backed by stronger trust & regulation and superior platforms, tools, and research capabilities.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you prioritise access to only 5 exchanges and you accept no 24/5 live chat or stock screener.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want access to 20 exchanges, 24/5 live chat, and an integrated stock screener.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets wins for safety & regulation with higher trust scores and multi-jurisdiction oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and CMC Markets rates 4/5. 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.
ACY Securities lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with CMC Markets's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities and CMC Markets 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, 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.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while CMC Markets lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for CMC Markets are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither ACY Securities nor CMC Markets is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
CMC Markets scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
CMC Markets wins for active traders with Next Generation platform and built-in research tools.
CMC Markets wins for beginners with $0 min deposit and accessible platform.
CMC Markets wins global access with 20 exchanges, far beyond ACY's 5.
ACY Securities wins for low cost trading due to ECN execution and competitive pricing on share CFDs.
Equally matched; neither offers real share ownership or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | DFSA FMA FCA ASIC BaFin |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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