Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs BDSwiss, 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.
CMC Markets and BDSwiss are prominent online brokers that differ significantly in their trust ratings and regulatory standings. Established in 1989, CMC Markets boasts a strong reputation with a top-tier Trust Score of 99 out of 99, reflecting its solidity and reliability. The company is publicly traded, adding a layer of transparency for investors. CMC Markets holds five Tier-1 licenses, the highest level of trust as defined by ForexBrokers.com, alongside an additional Tier-2 license. This suggests a commitment to stringent regulatory standards, offering its clients a secure trading environment.
In comparison, BDSwiss, founded in 2012, holds a Trust Score of 73 out of 99, indicating a moderate level of risk. Unlike CMC Markets, BDSwiss is not a publicly traded entity, which may affect the perceived transparency of its operations. BDSwiss holds one Tier-1 license, demonstrating a measure of regulatory adherence, but lacks any Tier-2 licenses. Both companies are not banks, ensuring their primary focus remains on providing brokerage services. Despite these differences, each broker offers distinct advantages depending on investor needs and their comfort with risk levels.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Caring for traders with consistently low fees, CMC Markets shines in the Commissions and Fees sector, securing a #1 ranking and a perfect five-star rating in our 2025 Annual Awards. Notably, their typical spread for EUR/USD stands at a competitive 0.61 pips. CMC Markets also offers an active trader program, the Price Plus Scheme, which provides spread discounts based on trading volume. The FX Active pricing structure enhances its appeal by offering an all-in cost of 0.5 pips on the EUR/USD, including a $2.50 commission per trade, in select regions including Southeast Asia, Australia, and Canada.
On the other hand, BDSwiss offers good order execution but tends to trail with higher spreads when compared to frontrunners in the industry. Its Classic account features a spread of 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD, a bit on the steeper side. However, traders who opt for the Raw account get a reduced total effective spread of 1.3 pips, and the VIP account boasts 1.2 pips. Despite these competitive options, BDSwiss finds itself ranked #29, with a commendable four-star rating in the commissions and fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
In essence, CMC Markets leads with attractive spreads and innovative pricing plans, making it a top choice for both casual and active traders. Meanwhile, BDSwiss ensures reasonable pricing with account tiers suited for various trading styles. While both brokers offer unique benefits, CMC Markets claims the edge in affordability and trader-friendly structure, making it the preferred option for those prioritizing lower trading costs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| 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 it comes to the variety of investment options, CMC Markets clearly offers a wider selection compared to BDSwiss. CMC Markets boasts an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, while BDSwiss provides 1,081 symbols and 53 forex pairs. This extensive range gives CMC Markets an edge for traders seeking diverse opportunities. Additionally, CMC Markets allows clients to trade exchange-listed securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling the purchase of popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone, an option not available with BDSwiss. Both platforms support forex trading through CFDs and offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither supports actual cryptocurrency purchases.
Both CMC Markets and BDSwiss provide copy trading features, allowing traders to replicate the strategies of successful investors, which can be advantageous for those new to the market. In terms of ratings, CMC Markets excels with a five-star rating for their range of investments, ranking ninth out of 62 brokers, highlighting their broad offer. In contrast, BDSwiss garners a four-star rating, positioned 34th in the same category. This comparative overview underscores CMC Markets' stronger appeal for investors looking for a comprehensive range of investment products.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1081 |
| 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.
When comparing CMC Markets and BDSwiss in terms of trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer traders several similar features but differ in some key areas. Both provide a free virtual demo account, proprietary platforms, and downloadable trading software for Windows. Additionally, traders can access both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms with either broker. CMC Markets and BDSwiss also offer web-based platforms, and they allow trading directly from stock charts and support copy trading, though neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
In terms of charting tools, CMC Markets stands out by offering 40 drawing tools compared to BDSwiss's 15. Moreover, when it comes to watch lists, CMC Markets offers more flexibility with 11 customizable fields, surpassing the 7 fields offered by BDSwiss. These differences contribute to their ratings for trading platforms and tools: CMC Markets received 5 stars, while BDSwiss received 4 stars. Furthermore, according to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets is ranked 4th out of 62 brokers, whereas BDSwiss is placed at 24th, demonstrating CMC Markets' edge in this aspect of trading services.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| 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, both CMC Markets and BDSwiss offer applications for iPhone and Android, supporting on-the-go trading. Both platforms provide stock and forex price alerts, ensuring you're always updated on your investments. However, a key difference is that CMC Markets allows for watchlist synchronization across devices, while BDSwiss does not offer this feature. This means with CMC Markets, any changes you make to your watchlist on your mobile app will automatically reflect in your online account, offering a seamless experience across platforms.
In terms of technical capabilities, BDSwiss offers one more technical study than CMC Markets, with 30 available on its app. Both platforms support drawing trendlines and viewing various time frames on charts, alongside autosaving any chart annotations you make. Real-time quote watchlists are available on both apps. Users rate CMC Markets higher, giving it a 5-star rating compared to BDSwiss's 4 stars. Additionally, ForexBrokers.com ranks CMC Markets at a prestigious #5 out of 62 brokers for their mobile trading apps, while BDSwiss is placed at #24, indicating a broader favorability for CMC Markets among mobile traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both CMC Markets and BDSwiss provide daily market commentary, catering to traders interested in daily insights. CMC Markets stands out by offering forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, a feature not provided by BDSwiss. Both brokers offer tools from Autochartist, aiding in technical and fundamental analysis. However, while BDSwiss provides tools from Trading Central to enhance their technical analysis offering, CMC Markets does not. Sentiment-based trading is supported by CMC Markets, which provides tools that show the ratio of long or short positions, a feature BDSwiss does not offer. Neither broker offers market research from TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading.
Traders using either platform will find economic calendars promoting awareness of global news events. Based on research capabilities, CMC Markets is highly rated with five stars, compared to BDSwiss’s four stars. In the competitive landscape of 62 brokers, CMC Markets holds a strong position, ranked 6th for research, while BDSwiss comes in at 24th. This distinction highlights CMC Markets’ extensive research tools that may appeal more to traders who value comprehensive market analysis.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to providing educational resources for beginners, both CMC Markets and BDSwiss offer a variety of learning materials, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, to help newcomers understand the basics of forex and CFDs. While both brokers meet the minimum requirement of offering at least ten educational pieces focused on these topics, CMC Markets distinguishes itself with a searchable archive of previously recorded client webinars and over ten beginner educational videos covering essential trading topics. Similarly, BDSwiss also provides access to a broad range of beginner-friendly videos and a well-stocked webinar archive.
However, one standout feature of BDSwiss is its commitment to conducting at least one online educational client webinar each month—an offering not provided by CMC Markets. Additionally, both platforms include advanced educational videos for more experienced traders and offer an investor dictionary to help users with investing terminology. In terms of overall education quality, CMC Markets earns a five-star rating and is ranked #10 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas BDSwiss receives four stars and sits at the #19 spot. This higher ranking suggests a slightly stronger emphasis on educational resources from CMC Markets, making it an appealing choice for beginners seeking comprehensive learning tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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
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BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Neither CMC Markets nor BDSwiss allows the purchase of actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but both brokers offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets and BDSwiss both support ACH/SEPA transfers, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing funds, but CMC Markets accepts PayPal while BDSwiss doesn't, and BDSwiss offers Skrill, unlike CMC Markets.
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 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 1081 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss Review |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | BDSwiss Review |
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