Comparison of CMC Markets and eToro
| Feature | CMC Markets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM, Social |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | FCA, BaFin, FMA, KNF, FSAN, CNMV, CIRO, ASIC, NZ FMA, MAS, DFSA | SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), CMC Markets | eToro |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬈ High |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD | USD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly |
| Inactivity Fee | $15 per month after 12 months | $10 per month after 12 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | $5 |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | €20 000 |
| 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, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | CMC Markets Review | eToro Review |
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
About eToro
eToro is a globally renowned social trading platform, offering a unique approach to forex and CFD trading through its innovative copy trading feature. Established in 2007 and regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, eToro has become a popular choice for traders of all experience levels. The platform allows users to follow and copy successful traders, making it particularly appealing to beginners seeking to learn and profit from experienced professionals. Beyond social trading, eToro offers a diverse range of instruments, including forex, stocks, ETFs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile platform for portfolio diversification. Its proprietary platform is user-friendly and comes with robust analytical tools, catering to both novice and seasoned traders. However, while eToro's zero-commission stock trading is a standout feature, its relatively high spreads and inactivity fees may deter cost-conscious traders.
Pros
- Unique copy trading feature for following successful traders
- Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC, ASIC, etc.)
- Offers a wide range of instruments, including cryptocurrencies and stocks
- User-friendly proprietary platform with robust analytical tools
- Zero-commission stock trading for non-leveraged positions
- Integrated social features for sharing insights and strategies
Cons
- Relatively high spreads compared to other brokers
- Inactivity fees applied after 12 months of non-use
- Limited options for advanced trading platforms like MT4 or MT5
- Withdrawal fees for certain transactions
- Customer support may have delayed response times during peak periods
CMC Markets & eToro Regulation
| Feature | CMC Markets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Companies | 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 | eToro (Seychelles) Limited, eToro (UK) Ltd, Etoro (Europe) Ltd, eToro AUS Capital Limited, eToro USA Securities Inc. |
Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | Seychelles, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Australia, United States |
Regulators | FCA, BaFin, FMA, KNF, FSAN, CNMV, CIRO, ASIC, NZ FMA, MAS, DFSA | SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | CMC Markets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | CFD | eToro |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Min Spread | 0.7 | 1 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 80% | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | CMC Markets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD | USD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly |
Inactivity fee | $15 per month after 12 months | $10 per month after 12 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | $5 |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | CMC Markets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), CMC Markets | eToro |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | high |
Trading Assets
| Asset | CMC Markets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 336 | 47 |
Indices | 99 | 13 |
Stocks | 10099 | 2500 |
Cryptocurrencies | 336 | 112 |
Bonds | 71 | 0 |
Metals | 19 | 7 |
Energies | 45 | 2 |
Soft Commodities | 58 | 4 |
ETFs | 1200 | 250 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | CMC Markets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | CMC Markets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Email | clientmanagement@cmcmarkets.co.uk | customerservice@etoro.com |
Phone | — | +1800778439 |
Facebook | — | |
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing CMC Markets and eToro, eToro 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.