Admirals vs CMC Markets Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Admirals and CMC Markets across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Admirals offers share CFDs and real stocks on 4,500+ equities via MT4, MT5, and Invest.MT5 under FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulation - combining professional MetaTrader CFD trading with real share ownership for buy-and-hold investors.
CMC Markets offers a broad range of share CFDs on 10,000+ stocks across major global exchanges via its Next Generation platform - an FCA-regulated CFD route to equity exposure without real share ownership.
Admirals and CMC Markets are extremely closely matched with scores of 4/5 and 4/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Admirals offers commission-free trading while CMC Markets does not, making Admirals the more cost-effective choice for frequent stock traders.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Admirals has the edge for active traders: commission-free trading, advanced charting.
Both brokers share the same editorial score of 4/5 and are equally suited for new stock investors.
Long-term investing feature data (fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, IPO access) is not yet available for this pair.
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
| Fractional shares | No | No |
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
| Extended hours | No | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC KNF | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin FMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Visit broker | Visit Admirals | Visit CMC Markets |
Admirals vs CMC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- 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
- Invest.MT5 (real shares) and CFD account are separate products - no unified view
- No ISA or SIPP tax wrapper available
- MetaTrader only - no proprietary trading platform beyond the Supreme Edition plugin
- Inactivity fee applies on Invest.MT5 accounts after dormancy
- 10,000+ share CFDs across UK, US, European, Asian, and Australian exchanges
- Next Generation platform with stock screener, pattern recognition, and Reuters news
- LSE-listed company - strong financial transparency and FCA/ASIC regulation
- Short selling on shares available - go long or short on 10,000+ equities
- CFDs only - no real share ownership, ISA wrapper, or dividend reinvestment
- Commission structure on shares (UK: £9 min, US: $10 min) adds up for small trades
- 5:1–20:1 leverage cap on retail share CFDs under FCA rules
- Inactivity fee of £10/month after 12 months without a trade
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| 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. The right choice depends on your priorities: commissions, fractional shares, account features, or regulatory safety.
Admirals offers commission-free stock trading while CMC Markets does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can significantly reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Admirals and CMC Markets hold top-tier regulatory licences, indicating a high standard of investor protection. Confirm each broker's specific regulatory bodies and compensation scheme coverage to ensure they apply in your jurisdiction.
Both Admirals and CMC Markets require a minimum deposit of no minimum to open a live trading account.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and CMC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Platform availability affects the tools, charting, and order types available to you. If you rely on a specific platform like MetaTrader or a proprietary web app, confirm compatibility before opening an account.
For beginners, compare Admirals and CMC Markets on account minimums, educational resources, and ease of use. Both brokers offer features that suit newer investors depending on your priorities.
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