Comparison of ActivTrades and CMC Markets
| Feature | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 1989 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | FCA, BaFin, FMA, KNF, FSAN, CNMV, CIRO, ASIC, NZ FMA, MAS, DFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), CMC Markets |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $15 per month after 12 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✔ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | CMC Markets Review |
About ActivTrades
ActivTrades is a well-regarded Forex and CFD broker known for its robust trading platforms, extensive range of financial instruments, and strong regulatory compliance. Established in 2001, ActivTrades serves clients globally, offering access to major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker provides multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its proprietary ActivTrader platform, catering to both desktop and mobile users. ActivTrades is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, ensuring a secure and trustworthy trading environment. Additionally, the broker offers a variety of account types to accommodate different trading styles and experience levels, complemented by comprehensive educational resources and responsive customer support. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and efficient withdrawal processes, ActivTrades stands out as a reliable choice for both novice and experienced Forex traders.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple reputable financial authorities
- Offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary ActivTrader platform
- Provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more
- Extensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis tools available
- Offers tight spreads across numerous trading instruments
- Multilingual support available through various channels
Cons
- Maximum leverage available might be lower than what some experienced traders seek
- The proprietary ActivTrader platform offers fewer customization options
About CMC Markets
CMC Markets is a well-established forex and CFD broker founded in 1989, renowned for its robust trading platforms, competitive spreads, and extensive range of tradable assets. With a global presence and regulation in top-tier jurisdictions, the broker caters to both beginners and experienced traders. CMC Markets offers access to forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and shares, supported by advanced tools and educational resources to enhance trading experiences.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities, including the FCA and ASIC
- Comprehensive range of tradable instruments across multiple asset classes
- Intuitive and feature-rich proprietary trading platform, Next Generation
- Competitive pricing with tight spreads and no commission on most trades
- Exceptional educational resources and market research tools
Cons
- Does not offer services to U.S. clients due to regulatory restrictions
- Trading fees can be higher for less active traders
- Limited deposit and withdrawal methods compared to other brokers
ActivTrades & CMC Markets Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | CMC Markets UK plc, CMC Markets Germany GmbH, CMC Markets Canada Inc, CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, CMC Markets NZ Limited, CMC Markets Singapore Pte Ltd, CMC Markets Middle East Ltd |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | FCA, BaFin, FMA, KNF, FSAN, CNMV, CIRO, ASIC, NZ FMA, MAS, DFSA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Pro | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.5 | 0.7 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | 30% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 80% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $15 per month after 12 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), CMC Markets |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 336 |
Indices | 31 | 99 |
Stocks | 1035 | 10099 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 336 |
Bonds | 6 | 71 |
Metals | 3 | 19 |
Energies | 7 | 45 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 58 |
ETFs | 75 | 1200 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | clientmanagement@cmcmarkets.co.uk |
Phone | +12426035200 | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and CMC Markets, ActivTrades comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.