Admiralsvs
CMC MarketsStock Broker Comparison
In a stocks-focused matchup, Admirals and CMC Markets vie on regulation and breadth of access. The tension centers on commission models and ownership of real shares.
Our Verdict
Too close to call
Admirals and CMC Markets are closely matched; Admirals distinguishes itself with commission-free real shares via Invest.MT5, while CMC Markets charges per trade on shares.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Admirals offers commission-free real shares via Invest.MT5; CMC charges share commissions.
- 2CMC Markets uses a proprietary Next Generation platform.
- 3Exchanges covered differ: 15 for Admirals vs 20 for CMC Markets.
Who should choose Admirals vs CMC Markets?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Admirals if…
Choose Admirals if you want commission-free real shares via Invest.MT5 and a $0 min deposit on standard accounts. You get MT4/MT5 access and real share ownership across 4,500+ stocks with FCA, CySEC, and ASIC oversight.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you prefer a proprietary Next Generation platform with stock screeners and 10,000+ share CFDs across global exchanges. You gain access to a strong regulatory footprint including FCA and ASIC, along with a known per-trade share commission structure.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Admirals wins for low cost trading because it offers commission-free real shares via Invest.MT5.
Best for safety & regulation
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
Admirals vs CMC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real share ownership via Invest.MT5 at zero commission alongside leveraged share CFDs
- 4,500+ stocks and ETFs across MT4 and MT5 with MetaTrader Supreme Edition
- FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulated, strong multi-jurisdictional profile
- No minimum deposit on standard accounts; FSCS protection for UK clients
Cons
- Invest.MT5 (real shares) and CFD account are separate products, no unified view
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Admirals
criteria win
1
CMC Markets
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Admirals | 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) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Admirals and CMC Markets share the same editorial score of 4/5. One concrete differentiator: Admirals has tighter spreads from 0.5 pips.
Admirals lists tighter spreads from 0.5, 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.
Neither Admirals nor CMC Markets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Admirals 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Admirals lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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.
Admirals charges $6 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.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Admirals has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Admirals offers commission-free stock trading while CMC Markets does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Admirals and CMC Markets are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
