CMC Markets vs FBS Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of CMC Markets and FBS across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
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 comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4/5 compared to FBS's 3.3/5.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Both brokers offer equivalent conditions for active trading across commissions, platforms, and charting tools.
CMC Markets edges out FBS with a higher editorial score (4/5 vs 3.3/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new stock investors.
Commission data is not yet available for this pair. Check each broker's pricing page to compare trading costs directly.
Long-term investing feature data (fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, IPO access) is not yet available for this pair.
CMC Markets vs FBS: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | $1 |
| 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 | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin FMA | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Visit broker | Visit CMC Markets | Visit FBS |
CMC Markets vs FBS Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- 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
- $1 minimum deposit - widest accessibility for equity CFD markets
- MT4/MT5 with full EA support for automated stock strategies
- 24/7 multilingual support across Asian and CIS markets
- Offshore regulation (IFSC Belize) - minimal investor protection
- Limited stock selection vs dedicated equity brokers
- No real share ownership - CFDs only
CMC Markets vs FBS: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs FBS: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, CMC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4/5 vs 3.3/5 for FBS. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Neither CMC Markets nor FBS 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 our regulatory safety criteria, with top-tier regulatory oversight, segregated client funds, compensation scheme coverage. For stock investors, regulatory safety is critical — always confirm a broker's specific licences and investor protections before depositing funds.
CMC Markets has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while FBS requires at least $1. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders starting with limited capital.
CMC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile and FBS offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. 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 offers negative balance protection; 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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