In this comparison, two brokers vie for access to global equity CFDs. The axis pits regulatory strength and platform depth against offshore structure and high leverage.
CMC Markets wins on editorial score due to stronger regulation, higher trust, and superior platform tools. AMarkets offers ECN pricing and offshore regulation but faces limited investor protection.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AMarkets if…
Choose AMarkets if you want stocks CFDs with ECN pricing and MT4/MT5 copy trading.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want 10,000+ stock CFDs and a Next Generation platform.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets has top-tier regulation and compensation scheme, offering stronger investor protection.
| Editorial score | 3.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets rates 4/5 versus 3.2/5 for AMarkets. CMC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AMarkets 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 AMarkets 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. AMarkets 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.
CMC Markets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AMarkets lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, 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.
AMarkets 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.
AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither AMarkets 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 leads active traders with stock screener, Reuters news, and a next-gen platform.
CMC Markets enables zero minimum deposit, appealing to beginners; AMarkets requires a $100 minimum.
CMC Markets provides access to 20 exchanges, AMarkets only 4.
AMarkets uses ECN pricing for stocks CFDs, while CMC Markets applies per-trade minimums on shares.
Both brokers are equally matched for long-term investing, lacking fractional shares and DRIP features.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | 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 | SVGFSA | DFSA FMA FCA BaFin ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.2 / 5
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