CMC Marketsvs
FidelityStock Broker Comparison
Two brokers face off across regulation, cost structure, and platform capability. The matchup tests whether you prize CFDs with exposure or zero-expense funds and comprehensive trading tools.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs Fidelity?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want broad access to 10,000+ share CFDs across UK, US, European, Asian, and Australian exchanges. You also get the Next Generation platform with a stock screener, pattern recognition, and Reuters news.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free US stock and ETF trading and access to zero-expense-ratio index funds. You also get Active Trader Pro with advanced equity and options tools and robust research from multiple providers.
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
CMC Markets vs Fidelity: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
| Min deposit | No minimum | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
CMC Markets vs Fidelity Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- 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
Cons
- CFDs only, no real share ownership, ISA wrapper, or dividend reinvestment
CMC Markets vs Fidelity: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
CMC Markets
criteria wins
4
Fidelity
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs Fidelity: Frequently Asked Questions
Fidelity rates 4.6/5 versus 4/5 for CMC Markets. Fidelity 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 Fidelity. 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 Fidelity.
Both CMC Markets and Fidelity 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.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Fidelity lists up to 1:4. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Fidelity supports Active Trader Pro, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Fidelity 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.
