Capital.com vs CMC Markets Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Capital.com and CMC Markets across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com offers share CFDs on 4,000+ global stocks under FCA, ASIC, and CySEC regulation with AI-enhanced trading insights and no commission - one of the widest regulated share CFD selections among multi-asset platforms.
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.
CMC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4/5 vs Capital.com's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com offers commission-free trading while CMC Markets does not, making Capital.com the more cost-effective choice for frequent stock traders.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Capital.com has the edge for active traders: commission-free trading, advanced charting.
CMC Markets edges out Capital.com with a higher editorial score (4/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new stock investors.
Long-term investing feature data (fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, IPO access) is not yet available for this pair.
Capital.com vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $20 | 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 MAS CySEC CMA | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin FMA |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Visit broker | Visit Capital.com | Visit CMC Markets |
Capital.com vs CMC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- 4,000+ share CFDs across major global exchanges - wider than most regulated multi-asset brokers
- AI trading insights identify behavioural biases in equity trading decisions
- FCA, ASIC, and CySEC regulated with no commission and no minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee; 24/7 customer support
- Share CFDs only - no real ownership, ISA wrapper, dividends, or voting rights
- Spread-only model less transparent than commission plus raw spread for active traders
- No MetaTrader - algorithmic traders cannot use MT4/MT5 Expert Advisors
- Overnight financing costs on leveraged positions accumulate for longer-term holders
- 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
Capital.com vs CMC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Capital.com | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
Capital.com vs CMC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, CMC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4/5 vs 3.9/5 for Capital.com. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Capital.com 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 Capital.com 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.
CMC Markets has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Capital.com requires at least $20. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders starting with limited capital.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile 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: CMC Markets has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum); CMC Markets has a higher overall editorial score. Also compare educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of each broker's platform before deciding.
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