Charles Schwabvs
CMC MarketsStock Broker Comparison
Two established brokers clash over cost structure and market access. The choice hinges on commissions, long-term features, and regulatory strength.
Who should choose Charles Schwab vs CMC Markets?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Charles Schwab if you want commission-free US stock and ETF trading and fractional shares.
Choose if…
Choose Schwab for broad research and top-tier regulation. Choose CMC Markets if you want CFDs exposure to 10,000+ shares across global exchanges. Choose CMC Markets for a regulated framework and advanced platform tools.
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
Charles Schwab vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | No minimum |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £10/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit fee | Free |
Charles Schwab vs CMC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Commission-free US stock and ETF trading with no account minimum
- thinkorswim, most powerful retail trading platform available at zero cost
- Fractional shares (Schwab Slices) from $5 for any S&P 500 company
- Broadest research stack in US retail (Morningstar, Argus, CFRA, proprietary)
- Regulated by SEC and FINRA; $9 trillion in client assets
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-adviser with no management fee
Charles Schwab vs CMC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
5
Charles Schwab
criteria wins
2
CMC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Charles Schwab | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Pass | 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 | Pass | Pass |
Charles Schwab vs CMC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Charles Schwab rates 4.6/5 versus 4/5 for CMC Markets. Charles Schwab edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
CMC Markets starts from 0.7. Current spread data is not available for Charles Schwab. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
CMC Markets requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Charles Schwab.
Both Charles Schwab 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, CMC Markets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Charles Schwab lists maximum leverage of 1:4, 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.
Charles Schwab supports thinkorswim, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Charles Schwab has exclusive access to thinkorswim. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
Charles Schwab 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.
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.
