Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs BlackBull Markets, 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 BlackBull Markets are prominent online brokers, yet they differ significantly in their regulatory standings and trust credentials. Established in 1989, CMC Markets boasts a high level of regulatory backing, holding five top-tier licenses and a commendable trust score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. It's also noteworthy that CMC Markets is publicly traded, underscoring its transparency and commitment to investor trust. In contrast, BlackBull Markets, founded in 2014, holds just one Tier-1 license and has a trust score of 78, categorizing it as average risk on the ForexBrokers.com scale. While it provides a solid trading platform, it is not publicly traded, which may be a consideration for those prioritizing institutional transparency.
Neither CMC Markets nor BlackBull Markets functions as a bank, focusing instead on providing trading platforms for a range of financial instruments. The significant disparity in regulatory licenses highlights CMC Markets' stronger emphasis on compliance and oversight, making it potentially more reassuring for investors prioritizing safety and longevity in a broker. Whether you lean towards the longstanding reliability of CMC Markets or the contemporary approach by BlackBull Markets, understanding these regulatory differences can help guide your choice in the diverse world of online trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2014 |
| 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 | 1 |
CMC Markets stands out in the realm of online trading with its exceptional commission and fees structure, earning a five-star rating and clinching the top spot among 62 brokers. With an impressive average spread of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD for August 2023, CMC Markets offers pricing that surpasses industry averages. Their innovative Price Plus Scheme offers active trader discounts based on accumulated Trading Points, providing a potential 20% spread discount at higher tiers. Their FX Active program introduces a commission-based option, charging $2.50 per side with minimal spreads, achieving an all-in cost of 0.5 pips on several currency pairs, reinforcing its position as a leader in competitive pricing.
BlackBull Markets, on the other hand, provides trading costs that align more closely with industry norms, rated at four and a half stars and ranked 19th out of 62 brokers. Their Prime account is a favored option, offering an average spread of 0.16 pips on the EUR/USD, leading to an all-in cost of 0.76 after a per-side commission. However, it requires a minimum $2,000 deposit. BlackBull Markets caters to different trader needs through its Standard account, which has no minimum deposit but higher spreads, and the ECN Institutional account, suited for high-volume traders with a $20,000 deposit requirement and lower commission rates.
When comparing CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets, traders may find compelling benefits depending on their trading volume and capital. CMC Markets excels with its low spreads and flexible pricing schemes appealing to both casual and active traders. In contrast, BlackBull Markets offers flexibility through diverse account types that suit varying trader profiles and financial commitments, yet may incur higher costs for entry-level accounts without commissions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.76 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.76 |
| 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 exploring online brokers, both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets offer impressive selections for investors looking at forex and CFD trading. CMC Markets provides access to 11,925 tradeable symbols, including a notable 156 forex pairs, which caters well to forex enthusiasts. In comparison, BlackBull Markets boasts a more extensive range with 26,000 tradeable symbols, though with a narrower offering of 72 forex pairs. Both brokers allow trading in exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, offering opportunities to invest in popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone. They also support copy trading and provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Despite their differences, both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets have earned a 5-star rating for their range of investments, reflecting their strong appeal to diverse investor needs. Their rankings by ForexBrokers.com further highlight their prowess, with BlackBull Markets edging slightly ahead at 6th place, while CMC Markets is ranked 9th among 62 brokers. This comparison showcases that both platforms offer solid frameworks for accessing a wide variety of trading products, suitable for both beginners and seasoned investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 BlackBull Markets on their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide comprehensive features for traders. Both platforms offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, enabling users to practice strategies without risking real money. CMC Markets stands out with its proprietary platform, developed in-house, alongside standard platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. BlackBull Markets, while not offering a proprietary platform, competes with industry standards like MT4 and MT5 and includes ZuluTrade for copy trading enthusiasts. Both brokers offer web-based and Windows-based desktop platforms, as well as the ability to execute trades directly from stock charts.
Charting tools and customization are key aspects where both brokers shine, but distinctions remain. CMC Markets provides 40 drawing tools, while BlackBull Markets offers 60, giving users more options for technical analysis. However, CMC Markets leads in terms of watch list customization with 11 columns compared to BlackBull Markets’ 6. When rated by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets earns a superior 5-star rating, ranked 4th out of 62 brokers for their trading platforms and tools, whereas BlackBull Markets receives a 4-star rating and ranks 28th. This makes CMC Markets a more favorable choice for those prioritizing platform features and user experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets, both platforms offer a comprehensive set of features for iPhone and Android users alike. Traders can access stock and forex price alerts, and take advantage of watchlist symbol syncing for seamless updates across devices. Both apps support the creation of custom watchlists with real-time quotes, allowing users to track their preferred markets effectively. A notable comparison is the number of technical studies available for charting: CMC Markets provides 29, while BlackBull Markets offers a slightly higher count of 30. The functionality to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames, such as daily or weekly, brings flexibility to traders using both apps. With auto-saving capabilities for chart drawings, users are ensured their data is preserved across sessions.
While both apps possess similar features, CMC Markets edges out with a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile app, compared to the still commendable 4-star rating for BlackBull Markets. This difference in ratings is also reflected in their rankings among 62 brokers, with CMC Markets positioned at #5 and BlackBull Markets at #30 for mobile trading apps, according to ForexBrokers.com. Overall, both platforms cater well to traders on the go, but CMC Markets may hold a slight advantage in user satisfaction and ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Certainly, both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets provide daily market commentary and technical research tools like Autochartist, supporting their users with regular updates and insights. However, CMC Markets takes the lead with its integration of forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, offering traders a comprehensive view of the market landscape. This edge contributes to CMC Markets being rated 5 stars for research, placing it at #6 among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
BlackBull Markets, while providing similar essential services like sentiment-based trading tools and an economic calendar for global events, lacks access to high-profile news sources in comparison. This results in a slightly lower research rating of 4 stars and a rank of #18. While both brokers offer valuable resources, CMC Markets garners a higher reputation due to its enriched data sources, making it a preferred choice for traders prioritizing in-depth market news and analysis.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| 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 BlackBull Markets for educational resources geared towards beginners, both brokers offer a solid foundation in forex and CFDs education. Each platform provides more than 10 educational pieces, such as articles and videos, ensuring that newcomers to trading have access to significant learning materials. Additionally, both brokers boast a collection of at least 10 beginner-focused videos alongside advanced content, catering to a wide range of experience levels. Furthermore, they offer searchable archives of recorded webinars and comprehensive investor dictionaries with over 50 terms explained, helping users better understand the trading world.
A notable difference arises with webinars: BlackBull Markets delivers ongoing monthly online webinars to its clients, whereas CMC Markets does not. Despite this, CMC Markets boasts a higher educational rating of five stars compared to BlackBull Markets' four stars. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, with CMC Markets securing the 10th spot out of 62 brokers, while BlackBull Markets is positioned at 29th. These ratings underscore CMC Markets' slightly stronger educational offerings, providing a comprehensive experience for those venturing into trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BlackBull Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
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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BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
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Both CMC Markets and BlackBull Markets provide opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
CMC Markets provides a wider range of deposit and withdrawal options compared to BlackBull Markets, offering ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while BlackBull Markets supports Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires but does not offer ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal.
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 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.76 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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