Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs AvaTrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a well-regarded online broker that stands out due to its strong regulatory framework and public trading status. It holds an impressive Trust Score of 99 out of 99 as rated by ForexBrokers.com, signifying it as highly reliable. CMC Markets operates with five Tier-1 licenses, ensuring top-tier regulatory compliance, along with one Tier-2 license in its portfolio. Although it is not a bank, CMC Markets has established trust through its listing on the stock exchange, providing an added layer of transparency for its clients.
AvaTrade, founded in 2006, also maintains a solid reputation in the world of online trading. With a Trust Score of 94 out of 99, it is deemed a highly trusted broker by ForexBrokers.com. AvaTrade holds four Tier-1 licenses, offering significant regulatory assurance, and three additional Tier-2 licenses. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, AvaTrade's strong regulatory credentials have helped it build trust among users since its inception.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing online brokerage options, CMC Markets and AvaTrade stand out with their distinctive approaches to commissions and fees. CMC Markets shines with a #1 ranking in the Commissions and Fees category and a perfect 5-star rating, thanks to its consistently low spread offerings across all customer segments and account types. The broker's typical spread is competitively priced at 0.61 pips for the popular EUR/USD currency pair, as of August 2023. For active traders, CMC's Price Plus Scheme offers discounts on trading costs based on monthly trading volumes, which can substantially reduce expenses for heavy traders. Additionally, CMC's FX Active pricing structure introduces a commission on trades, with a minimal spread cost, available in various key markets globally.
On the other hand, AvaTrade provides a strong contrast by maintaining spreads that hover close to the industry average, at about 0.9 pips as of June 2024. While slightly higher than some entry-level accounts from competitors like CMC Markets, AvaTrade combats this with competitive spreads of 0.6 pips on their Professional account, appealing to high-volume traders seeking to balance costs efficiently. With a 4.5-star rating, AvaTrade earns a respectable rank of #12 out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category.
Overall, both CMC Markets and AvaTrade cater to various trading needs with their tailored pricing policies. CMC Markets excels in offering cutting-edge pricing strategies suited for both casual and active traders, while AvaTrade provides robust options, particularly for professional traders, ensuring both brokers remain popular choices within the competitive forex market landscape. Whether seeking comprehensive, low-cost spreads or flexible terms for professional trading, investors can find a suitable option by carefully weighing the offerings of both brokers.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.61 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments offered by CMC Markets and AvaTrade, CMC Markets stands out for its extensive selection. CMC Markets provides access to 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, and offers forex trading in both CFD and spot contract forms. They include opportunities for direct investment in exchange-traded securities, with options to buy shares like Apple on U.S. exchanges and Vodafone on international ones. Additionally, CMC Markets supports copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, though it does not support buying actual cryptocurrencies. These diverse offerings have earned CMC Markets a 5-star rating for range of investments and a high rank of #9 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, AvaTrade offers a narrower range of investments compared to CMC Markets, with a total of 1,260 tradeable symbols and 53 forex pairs. While AvaTrade also enables users to trade forex through CFDs and spot contracts and provides copy trading options, it lacks the ability to invest directly in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. AvaTrade does allow investment in cryptocurrency derivatives but not in the actual digital currencies themselves. This more limited investment scope results in a 4-star rating and a rank of #32 on ForexBrokers.com for the range of investments category.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
CMC Markets and AvaTrade both offer a wide array of trading platforms and tools that cater to both novice and experienced traders. Each broker provides a proprietary platform, Windows-based desktop download options, and convenient web-based trading access. Additionally, both feature popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 for versatile trading experiences. For those interested in practice trading, CMC Markets and AvaTrade both offer free virtual demo accounts to help traders hone their skills without financial risk. When it comes to copy trading, both brokers support this functionality, though AvaTrade expands further with DupliTrade and ZuluTrade options.
Charting and technical analysis are where some differences are notable. CMC Markets offers a broader selection of drawing tools and watchlist columns compared to AvaTrade, boasting 40 drawing tools and 11 watchlist columns. This may appeal to traders who seek extensive technical analysis capabilities. In terms of rankings and reviews, CMC Markets stands out with a 5-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools, ranked #4 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. AvaTrade, while highly rated at 4.5 stars, is positioned at #13 out of the same pool of brokers — a testament to its strength but also a reflection of CMC Markets' slight edge in this arena.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 80 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 13 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets and AvaTrade for mobile trading, both platforms provide apps for iPhone and Android users, enabling seamless trading on the go. They both offer crucial features like stock and forex price alerts and watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring users stay updated across multiple devices. CMC Markets shines with its ability to auto-save chart drawings, a feature AvaTrade lacks. This extra layer of convenience can be a significant advantage for traders who regularly adjust their charts.
In terms of charting tools, AvaTrade leads with 73 technical studies compared to CMC Markets' 29, providing more options for in-depth analysis. However, CMC Markets earns top scores in user satisfaction, with a 5-star rating for its mobile app against AvaTrade's 4.5 stars. This higher user rating is reflected in its superior ranking at #5 among 62 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com mobile trading apps category, while AvaTrade holds the 13th position. For traders focused on user experience and reliable performance, CMC Markets offers a slight edge.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing CMC Markets to AvaTrade in terms of market research offerings, CMC Markets provides daily market commentary, a feature not available with AvaTrade. Both platforms deliver forex news from reputable sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. However, CMC Markets surpasses AvaTrade by offering technical analysis tools from Autochartist, while AvaTrade compensates with tools from Trading Central. Both brokers provide sentiment-based trading insights and maintain comprehensive economic calendars for tracking global events.
CMC Markets consistently performs better in research quality, achieving a 5-star rating compared to AvaTrade's 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets ranks #6 out of 62 brokers for its research services, significantly higher than AvaTrade's #34 position. This suggests that CMC Markets is preferred for traders who prioritize in-depth market evaluation and diverse analysis tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by CMC Markets and AvaTrade, both online brokers provide a wealth of information to kickstart your trading journey. CMC Markets offers a diverse collection of educational materials, including more than ten articles and videos focused on forex and CFDs. They have a comprehensive searchable archive of past webinars, and they cater to both beginners and experienced traders alike with their extensive range of instructional videos. Additionally, CMC Markets provides an expansive investor dictionary, which helps beginners familiarize themselves with over 50 trading terms. These efforts have earned them a 5-star rating for education. While CMC Markets does not provide regular monthly webinars, they still rank respectably at #10 among 62 brokers in the Education category according to ForexBrokers.com.
Similarly, AvaTrade also offers a wide array of educational content, including over ten articles and videos for those new to trading. Where AvaTrade stands out is in their commitment to ongoing learning through their provision of monthly online webinars, ensuring clients can continually advance their skills. They also offer a searchable archive of recorded webinars, helping traders access past insights anytime they need them. AvaTrade has a collection of videos tailored to both beginners and advanced traders, along with a comprehensive investor dictionary. Despite receiving a slightly lower education rating of 4 stars, AvaTrade ranks impressively at #2 by ForexBrokers.com for education, showcasing their firm commitment to being a top destination for learning in the trading industry.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than AvaTrade. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 |
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Both CMC Markets and AvaTrade do not support the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, but each platform offers the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets and AvaTrade both support Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and bank wires for depositing and withdrawing account funds; however, CMC Markets also offers ACH or SEPA transfers, while AvaTrade uniquely provides Skrill as a payment option.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.61 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 80 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 13 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | CMC Markets Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | AvaTrade Review |
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