CMC Marketsvs
Plus500Stock Broker Comparison
Two regulated CFD players, CMC Markets and Plus500, clash over platform depth and pricing models. The matchup highlights whether cost or tools matter more for equity exposure.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
CMC Markets ranks ahead of Plus500 with a higher editorial score and stronger platform tools. It also benefits from broader research capabilities and phone support.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1CMC Markets provides phone support while Plus500 does not.
- 2CMC Markets includes research tools and stock screener; Plus500 lacks these.
- 3CMC Markets covers 20 exchanges; Plus500 covers 18.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs Plus500?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want phone support, access to a broad suite of research tools, and an integrated stock screener that helps you filter 10,000+ share CFDs across multiple exchanges to compare markets and sectors.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer a simple, spread-only platform with broad stock CFDs and strong regulation, plus a clean WebTrader experience that helps new investors start quickly.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Plus500 earns this for transparent regulation across multiple authorities.
Best for active traders
Recommended
CMC Markets vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | $10/month (after 3 months) |
| Deposit fee |
CMC Markets vs Plus500 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 Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
CMC Markets
criteria wins
0
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
CMC Markets vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4/5 and Plus500 rates 3.6/5. 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.
Plus500 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 Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Plus500 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.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Plus500 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.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
Neither CMC Markets nor Plus500 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.
Both CMC Markets and Plus500 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.
