Capital.com and CMC Markets face off over cost models, regulation, and platform tools. The tension centers on commission-free trading versus broader exchange access.
Capital.com and CMC Markets are closely matched, but Capital.com operates commission-free on shares while CMC Markets charges per-trade commissions.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Capital.com if…
Choose Capital.com if you want a commission-free share trading model. It also provides access to 25 exchanges.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you need phone support. It charges commissions on share trades and covers 20 exchanges.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com is best for low cost trading due to commission-free share trading.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $20 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 3 months) | £10/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit fee |
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 |
The scores are close: Capital.com rates 3.9/5 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.
Capital.com lists tighter spreads from 0.6, 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 Capital.com requires at least $20. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Capital.com 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.
Capital.com 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.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
Capital.com 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 Capital.com 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.
CMC Markets wins safety and regulation with FCA/ASIC oversight and broader regulatory footprint.
CMC Markets wins for active traders with the Next Generation platform and advanced stock screening.
Capital.com is best for beginners due to no inactivity fee and a low minimum deposit.
Capital.com wins global market access with 25 exchanges.
Best for long-term investors: both brokers are equally matched.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPalApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| 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 FMA BaFin |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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