Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Axi, 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.
When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and Axi, it's essential to consider their history and trust ratings. Established in 1989, CMC Markets is a veteran in the trading industry and stands out with a Trust Score of 99, indicating a highly trusted status according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Axi, founded in 2007, carries a Trust Score of 82, falling into the trusted category. The two companies differ significantly in market presence, with CMC Markets being publicly traded while Axi remains a private entity. Neither of them operates as a bank.
Regulatory licensing is a crucial factor in gauging the trustworthiness of brokers. CMC Markets enjoys a strong regulatory standing with five Tier-1 licenses, the highest level of trust, and one Tier-2 license. Meanwhile, Axi is not far behind with two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. These licenses ensure both companies adhere to stringent guidelines, although CMC Markets clearly holds a more extensive regulatory backing. Overall, potential traders may find CMC Markets to be the more reassuring choice due to its longer track record and superior regulatory framework.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers CMC Markets and Axi, CMC Markets clearly stands out as a leader in the industry. CMC Markets earned the top spot in the Commissions and Fees category in the 2025 Annual Awards, boasting a five-star rating for its consistently low spreads available to all account types. With typical spreads of just 0.61 pips on popular currency pairs like EUR/USD, it offers competitive pricing that surpasses industry averages. Their active trader program through the Price Plus Scheme offers substantial discounts on trading costs, rewarding higher trade volumes with reduced spreads, enhancing its appeal to frequent traders.
Axi, in comparison, is rated four stars for commissions and fees, placing it at rank 44 out of 62 brokers, a stark contrast to CMC Markets' number one rank. While it is a reputable option for traders, it does not disclose average spread data, making it difficult to directly compare its pricing structure to that of CMC Markets. Overall, Axi's rating and ranking indicate it is a solid choice, though possibly not as cost-effective as CMC Markets for those prioritizing low trading costs.
CMC Markets further cemented its reputation by launching its FX Active commission-based pricing, available in select regions and platforms like MT4 and Next Generation. It offers traders the ability to enjoy spreads as low as zero pips, with an all-in cost of 0.5 pip on the EUR/USD once commissions are accounted for. This pricing model not only enhances CMC Markets' leadership in the industry but also gives traders more cost-effective options, positioning it as a preferred broker for active traders looking for reduced transaction costs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 Axi, there are several key differences to consider. CMC Markets boasts an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, dwarfing Axi's offering of 175. This broader range also extends to forex trading, where CMC Markets provides 156 currency pairs compared to Axi's 65. Both brokers facilitate forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, appealing to traders interested in this market. Moreover, CMC Markets stands out by offering access to exchange-traded securities from U.S. exchanges, like Apple shares, as well as from international exchanges, such as Vodafone shares. In contrast, Axi does not offer these direct investment opportunities.
Both platforms support cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Additionally, each broker offers copy trading, catering to investors who prefer to follow experienced traders' strategies. CMC Markets achieves a perfect five-star rating for its range of investments, reflecting its extensive offerings, while Axi receives a 3.5-star rating. In terms of rankings, CMC Markets is placed 9th out of 62 brokers, highlighting its strong position in the market for investment variety, whereas Axi is positioned at 55th, indicating a more limited selection for traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 175 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 65 |
| 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.
When evaluating trading platforms and tools, CMC Markets and Axi both excel in certain areas but differ in their overall offerings. Both brokers provide the essential features of a free virtual demo account and MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, which are excellent for beginners looking to hone their skills. CMC Markets, however, stands out with its proprietary platform, developed in-house, offering traders a tailored experience that Axi cannot match, as Axi does not have a proprietary platform. Additionally, CMC Markets supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) which expands options for traders seeking more advanced features, whereas Axi focuses solely on MT4. Both brokers offer Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms, providing flexibility for traders to access their accounts across devices.
For traders interested in enhanced charting capabilities, CMC Markets offers a notable advantage with 40 drawing tools compared to Axi's 15, and a broader 11 fields for watch lists, making it easier for users to customize and manage their portfolios. Both brokers facilitate trading directly from a stock chart, a handy feature for active traders. While both offer copy trading, Axi differentiates itself by integrating with ZuluTrade, a popular social trading platform, but lacks other charting tools such as DupliTrade. When rated and compared by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets achieves a high accolade with a 5-star rating and a commendable 4th place out of 62 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category. In contrast, Axi holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks at 62nd, highlighting a significant difference in perceived quality and user satisfaction between the two.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both CMC Markets and Axi provide apps for iPhone and Android users, allowing them to access the stock and forex markets with ease. Each platform offers stock and forex price alerts, enabling traders to stay updated on market movements. While both brands come equipped with watchlists and real-time quotes, CMC Markets stands out by allowing watchlists to sync with the user's online account, a feature Axi does not offer. This means CMC Markets users can seamlessly maintain and update their watchlists across devices, while Axi users would need to adjust settings separately.
Charting tools are essential for technical analysis, and both CMC Markets and Axi equip their apps with the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. CMC Markets offers 29 technical studies, a slight edge over Axi's 30, especially since CMC Markets automatically saves chart drawings. Customer ratings reflect these differences; CMC Markets earns a strong 5-star rating for its app, ranking #5 out of 62 brokers, while Axi's app receives a more modest 3.5-star rating, placing it at #59. This comparison highlights that while both apps offer core trading functionalities, CMC Markets provides a smoother, more integrated experience for users seeking advanced features.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| 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 and Axi for market research capabilities, CMC Markets clearly stands out due to its comprehensive offerings. CMC Markets provides daily market commentary, offering traders real-time insights that Axi does not. Both brokers supply forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have access to high-quality information. Each company also includes technical analysis or fundamental research tools from Autochartist, and both lack features from Trading Central. They also offer sentiment-based trading tools to help users gauge market positions on various instruments.
Both CMC Markets and Axi provide traders with an economic calendar covering global news events, effectively aiding in planning strategies. However, CMC Markets doesn't rely on external research tools from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading, which is a stance shared by Axi. Despite this, CMC Markets holds a superior reputation with a research rating of five stars, ranking sixth out of 62 brokers. In contrast, Axi receives a lower rating of three stars, ranking 55th. This highlights CMC Markets as the more attractive option for those prioritizing strong market research.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| 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 CMC Markets and Axi for their educational offerings aimed at beginners, both provide essential resources, including a minimum of 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, or webinars centered on forex or CFDs. However, CMC Markets stands out with its comprehensive library, featuring 10 beginner-focused and 10 advanced educational videos covering various trading topics. Axi also offers at least 10 beginner videos but lacks the depth of content for more experienced traders. Both platforms include an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, providing a solid foundation for those new to trading.
CMC Markets lacks monthly live educational webinars but compensates with a searchable archive of past webinars, making learning flexible for users at their own pace. In contrast, Axi hosts live webinars monthly but does not maintain a searchable archive. Overall, CMC Markets shines with a 5-star education rating and ranks 10th out of 62 brokers in the education category, while Axi has a 3-star rating and ranks 26th, indicating a less comprehensive educational experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Axi. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Axi finished with an overall rank of #49.
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
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 |
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Both CMC Markets and Axi do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, CMC Markets and Axi show distinct differences in fund transfer options: CMC Markets supports ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal, which Axi does not, while Axi accommodates Skrill, unavailable through CMC Markets, with both brokers allowing transactions via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | Axi | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 175 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 65 | |
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Axi | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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