CMC Markets Review
Charting and technical analysis · Founded 1989 · London, UK
FCA-authorised
Reviewed by Adrian Rochester Updated 30 September 2026
Not financial advice. Our rankings and reviews are for general information only and are not a recommendation to open an account or to trade. Forex and CFDs are high-risk; consider independent advice and whether you can afford to lose your money.
68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. We may earn a commission if you open an account.
CMC Markets pairs competitive pricing with a feature-rich Next Generation platform that technical traders will appreciate.
Our verdict on CMC Markets
CMC Markets has been around since 1989 and has offered spread betting online since 2001. Its UK company, CMC Markets UK plc, is authorised by the FCA (FRN 173730), and the group is a member of the FTSE 250. For UK traders it is one of the most established names in the market.
Its strongest point is range. CMC offers more than 21,000 instruments for spread betting and CFDs, including around 300 forex pairs, and adds share dealing, a Stocks and Shares ISA and a SIPP for investing. There is no minimum deposit, spread bets have no commission, and UK and European share CFDs are commission-free.
The trade-offs are a £10 monthly inactivity fee after a year with no trades, and a feature-packed platform that takes time to learn. For active traders who want advanced charting, pattern recognition and a very wide choice of markets, CMC is one of the best-equipped brokers in the UK.
Ratings breakdown
Key facts
- UK status
- FCA-authorised (FRN 173730)
- EUR/USD spread
- 0.6 pips (from) (CFD / spread bet account)
- Commission
- None
- All-in cost
- £4.53 per standard lot
- Minimum deposit
- £0
- Max leverage
- 1:30 (UK retail limit)
- Instruments
- 21,000+
- Founded
- 1989
- Headquarters
- London, UK
Pros
- Advanced charting with pattern recognition
- 21,000+ instruments including ~300 FX pairs
- FTSE 250 group, trading since 1989
Cons
- £10 monthly inactivity fee after a year
- Many features can overwhelm new traders
- No MT5 or cTrader
Regulation
Highlighted = tier-1 regulator. Protection depends on the entity you open an account with.
Platforms
Who CMC Markets is for
Good fit
- Traders who want advanced charting, pattern recognition and a huge range of markets
- Forex traders: around 300 pairs, and an FX Active account with spreads from 0.0 on six majors
- UK traders who want spread betting, CFDs and investing (ISA, SIPP) with one provider
- Anyone who values an FCA-authorised firm from a FTSE 250 group
Look elsewhere if
- Occasional traders who may leave the account unused for a year or more (£10 monthly inactivity fee)
- Beginners who want a very simple app with only a few markets
- Traders who need MT5 or cTrader (CMC offers MT4 and TradingView)
CMC Markets fees and spreads
Spread bets and most CFDs are charged through the spread, with no commission. CMC publishes minimum spreads in its platform and on its market pages; the headline figures are below. The FX Active CFD account swaps spread for a small fixed commission on six major pairs.
| Market | Minimum spread |
|---|---|
| Major forex pairs | From 0.5 pips |
| EUR/USD | 0.6 pips |
| FX Active (six majors) | 0.0 pips + 0.0025% commission |
| US NDAQ 100 | 1 point |
| Germany 40 | 1.2 points |
| Commodities | From 0.2 points |
From CMC Markets' UK forex, indices and commodities pages. Spreads are variable and can widen.
Other costs
| Charge | CMC Markets |
|---|---|
| Share CFD commission | 0% on UK and European shares (except Greece); US shares 2¢ per share (min $10) |
| Overnight holding cost | Charged or credited on positions held at 10pm UK time |
| Guaranteed stop-loss | Optional premium, refunded in full if the stop is not triggered |
| Currency conversion | ±0.7% on trades priced in another currency |
| Inactivity fee | £10 a month after one year with no trading (not charged if the account has no funds) |
| Share dealing | 0% commission and no platform fee; 0.7% FX fee on foreign shares |
Account types
- Spread betting
- Trade 21,000+ instruments in pounds per point with no commission. For most UK residents, spread betting profits are currently free from Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty, but tax treatment depends on your circumstances and can change.
- CFD trading
- The same 21,000+ instruments as CFDs, with no stamp duty. Available on the CMC web platform, app and MT4, and can be linked to TradingView.
- FX Active
- A CFD account for forex traders: spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, NZD/USD, USD/CAD and USD/JPY with a 0.0025% commission, plus a 25% spread discount on 300+ other pairs.
- Options
- Spread bet or CFD options on indices, shares and ETFs, with no commission or holding fees.
- Investing: GIA, ISA and SIPP
- Buy and own 16,000+ shares and ETFs with no commission, including in a Stocks and Shares ISA or SIPP.
- Demo account
- Practise with £10,000 of virtual funds.
Deposits and withdrawals
| Deposit methods | Debit card, online banking (pay directly from your bank) and bank transfer |
| Minimum deposit | No minimum to open an account |
| Card withdrawals | From within an hour to five working days, depending on the card issuer |
| Bank withdrawals | One to two working days to UK banks; three to five working days to international banks |
Is CMC Markets safe?
- CMC Markets UK plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 173730) and must follow the FCA's client asset (CASS) rules.
- Retail client money is held in segregated accounts spread across several major banks, and is not used as margin with CMC's hedging counterparties.
- Eligible clients are protected by the FSCS for up to £85,000 if CMC were to fail.
- Retail accounts have negative balance protection.
- CMC Markets is a FTSE 250 company that has been in business since 1989.
Platforms and tools
- CMC web platform (Next Generation)
- Over 115 technical indicators and drawing tools, 70+ chart patterns and 12 chart types, with advanced orders including guaranteed stops and partial closes.
- Pattern recognition scanner
- Scans 120+ popular instruments every 15 minutes for emerging and completed chart patterns.
- CMC mobile app
- Full trading and charting on iOS and Android.
- MetaTrader 4
- Available for spread betting and CFDs, including Expert Advisors.
- TradingView
- Link your CFD account to trade from TradingView charts.
Research and education
The platform includes a streaming Reuters news feed, Morningstar reports, and market analysis from CMC's analyst team, plus a learning hub for newer traders.
Customer support
Phone support on +44 (0)20 7170 8200 is open 24 hours Monday to Friday (whenever the markets are open, Sunday night to Friday night), with email at clientmanagement@cmcmarkets.co.uk and a detailed online help centre.
CMC Markets FAQs
Is CMC Markets safe?
CMC Markets UK plc is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 173730). Retail client money is segregated across several major banks, and eligible clients are protected by the FSCS for up to £85,000. The group is a FTSE 250 company founded in 1989.
What is CMC Markets' minimum deposit?
There is no minimum deposit to open an account. You will need enough money to cover the margin on the trades you place.
Does CMC Markets charge an inactivity fee?
Yes. After a year with no trading, CMC charges £10 a month on dormant accounts. Nothing is deducted if the account has no funds.
What are CMC Markets' spreads?
CMC advertises spreads from 0.5 pips on major forex pairs, 1 point on the US NDAQ 100 and 1.2 points on the Germany 40. The FX Active account offers 0.0 pips on six major pairs plus a 0.0025% commission.
Does CMC Markets offer MT4 and TradingView?
Yes. As well as its own web platform and app, CMC offers MetaTrader 4, and CFD accounts can be linked to TradingView.
Can I open an ISA with CMC Markets?
Yes. CMC offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, a general investment account and a SIPP, with commission-free share dealing.
How long do CMC Markets withdrawals take?
UK bank withdrawals usually take one to two working days, international bank withdrawals three to five working days, and card withdrawals from an hour to five working days depending on your card issuer.
Featured in our guides
Where these figures come from
Checked on 30 September 2026 against CMC Markets's own website (UK site where available). Spreads, fees and deposits change often, so confirm them with CMC Markets before opening an account.
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/forex
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/compare-trading-accounts
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/forex/how-much-do-you-need-to-start-trading-forex
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/trading-costs
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/indices
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/commodities
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/regulations
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/support/faqs/account-support/funding
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/support/faqs/account-support/withdrawals
- cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/trading-platforms/web-trading-platform
68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. We may earn a commission if you open an account.
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