Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs eToro, 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 eToro are both well-established online brokers, known for their reliability and range of services. Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is publicly traded and holds five Tier-1 licenses, considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com. This contributes to its impressive Trust Score of 99, indicating a high level of confidence. In contrast, eToro, founded in 2007, is not publicly traded and holds three Tier-1 licenses. Despite this, eToro still maintains a strong Trust Score of 93. Although neither broker is a bank, both operate under strict regulatory standards, offering a sense of security to users.
In terms of regulatory standing, CMC Markets and eToro demonstrate a commitment to trustworthiness and compliance. CMC Markets boasts an additional Tier-2 license, adding to its credibility as a trusted financial institution, while eToro also holds one Tier-2 license. As such, individuals seeking dependable online brokerage services can consider both CMC Markets and eToro, with their respective strengths providing various options suited to different investing needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to evaluating online brokers based on commissions and fees, CMC Markets stands out as an industry leader. Recognized with a top spot and a 5-star rating in the 2025 Annual Awards for its cost-effective offerings, CMC Markets excels with consistently low spreads for all customer segments and accounts. Typically, CMC Markets features an average spread of 0.61 pips on the popular EUR/USD pair, surpassing the industry average. Its innovative Price Plus Scheme provides active traders with potential discounts, while the FX Active pricing model delivers a competitive edge, offering commissions as low as $2.50 per side and minimum spreads of zero pips, translating to a 0.5 pip all-in cost.
In contrast, eToro, earning a 4.5-star rating and ranked 22nd among 62 brokers for commissions and fees, presents a different value proposition. Known more for its social copy trading platform than its spreads, eToro features a typical spread of 1 pip on the EUR/USD, slightly above the industry standard. Retail traders often prefer eToro for its comprehensive social trading features rather than its pricing structure.
For traders seeking enhanced services, eToro offers the eToro Club VIP membership, with five levels ranging from Silver to Diamond. These tiers, accessible to traders maintaining balances from $5,000 to $250,000, unlock benefits such as Trading Central access, reduced withdrawal and deposit fees, and the dedicated support of an account manager. In summary, while both CMC Markets and eToro offer unique advantages, CMC Markets takes the lead when it comes to competitive pricing and fee structures.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50-$10,000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| 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 eToro, both platforms provide a substantial selection for traders. CMC Markets boasts an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, positioning it as a versatile choice for variety and depth in trading options. Similarly, eToro offers a comprehensive lineup with 5,461 tradeable symbols and 55 forex pairs, catering to diverse trading preferences. Both brokers allow users to engage in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, and support the purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges. Highlighting the accessibility of stock trading, clients can buy shares like Apple on both platforms, alongside international options like Vodafone.
Exploring further, both CMC Markets and eToro provide copy trading features, enabling users to mirror the strategies of successful traders. However, when it comes to cryptocurrency, eToro takes the lead by offering the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies, whereas CMC Markets focuses on cryptocurrency derivatives. Despite these differences, both brokers are rated five stars for their range of investments. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets is ranked 9th, while eToro is closely behind at 10th, reflecting their strong market offerings and popularity among traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 5461 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 55 |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 eToro, both brokers offer essential features like a proprietary platform and simulated trading with a virtual demo account. However, CMC Markets stands out with additional offerings such as a Windows-based desktop platform and the support for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, giving users more choices for software and trading styles. On the other hand, eToro focuses on social trading with its popular copy trading feature, although it lacks a dedicated desktop platform beyond its web-based interface. Despite the absence of certain platforms, eToro manages to provide a highly user-friendly experience for those interested in following other traders' strategies.
In terms of charting, eToro provides a broader range of tools, boasting 161 drawing tools compared to CMC Markets' 40. However, CMC Markets compensates for this with the ability to trade directly from stock charts and offers a more comprehensive watch list with 11 columns or fields to personalize your view, contrasting with eToro's 6. Both platforms earn high ratings for their trading tools, with CMC Markets receiving 5 stars and eToro close behind with 4.5 stars. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets is positioned at #4, while eToro holds the #8 spot, reflecting their respective strengths in trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 104 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 161 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both CMC Markets and eToro have made strong impressions with their mobile trading apps, available on iPhone and Android. They offer key features such as price alerts and watchlist symbol syncing, which means any changes made sync seamlessly with the client’s online account. However, when it comes to technical studies, eToro impresses with 104 options compared to CMC Markets’ 29. CMC Markets stands out with the ability to draw trendlines and auto-save chart drawings, a feature that eToro does not provide. Both apps allow users to view charts in multiple time frames, catering to different trading needs.
When it comes to creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both platforms excel. Nevertheless, CMC Markets gains a slight edge with a rating of 5 stars for its mobile trading app experience, while eToro follows closely with 4.5 stars. In rankings from ForexBrokers.com out of 62 brokers, CMC Markets secures the #5 spot for mobile trading apps, whereas eToro ranks at #11. These distinctions highlight that while both apps offer impressive mobile trading experiences, there are slightly different strengths to consider depending on your trading priorities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and eToro both excel in providing daily market commentary and sentiment-based trading tools, offering valuable insights into market trends. However, CMC Markets takes a step further by delivering forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders receive a stream of high-quality, timely information. Additionally, CMC Markets includes technical analysis tools from Autochartist and an economic calendar, rounding out its robust research offerings. These features contribute to its impressive 5-star research rating and its #6 rank out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
eToro, on the other hand, shines with its integration of research tools like those from Trading Central and the provision of market insights from TipRanks. Despite not including news from top-tier sources like its competitor, eToro still offers a rich research experience bolstered by the same sentiment-based tool and an economic calendar. These capabilities earn eToro a respectable 4.5-star research rating and a #13 rank by ForexBrokers.com. Both platforms offer strong, user-friendly services for traders seeking market analysis, but their strengths lie in different areas, catering to varying trader preferences and needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both CMC Markets and eToro provide a comprehensive range of materials to help new traders understand forex and CFDs. Both platforms offer over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and recorded webinars focused on these subjects. For those who prefer video content, each provides over ten beginner-focused videos detailing the essentials of trading. They also cater to more seasoned traders with advanced educational videos and have an investor dictionary, explaining over 50 investing terms, to aid users in expanding their financial vocabulary.
A key difference lies in the delivery of live educational sessions. While CMC Markets does not offer monthly webinars for clients, eToro ensures that users have access to at least one live webinar every month. Both platforms provide a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, allowing users to learn at their own pace. Despite eToro's proactive approach in delivering live content, CMC Markets scores higher for educational quality, earning a 5-star rating compared to eToro's 4.5. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, eToro is rated higher at 5th place in the education category, whereas CMC Markets stands at 10th among 62 evaluated brokers.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 eToro. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while eToro finished with an overall rank of #9.
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
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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While both CMC Markets and eToro provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, only eToro offers the capability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency, whereas CMC Markets does not.
Both CMC Markets and eToro support ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for deposits and withdrawals, but only eToro additionally offers 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 | eToro | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | eToro Review |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 5461 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 55 | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50-$10,000 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 104 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 161 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | eToro Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | eToro | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | eToro Review |
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