Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs FP 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.
When comparing online brokers, CMC Markets and FP Markets stand out for different reasons. Established in 1989, CMC Markets is a publicly traded company renowned for its high trustworthiness, reflected in a perfect Trust Score rating of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. It holds five Tier-1 licenses, which places it in the highly trusted category. On the other hand, FP Markets started in 2005 and is not publicly traded. While FP Markets holds two Tier-1 licenses and maintains a robust reputation with a Trust Score of 89, which classifies it as a trusted broker, it doesn’t quite reach the top-tier level of trust that CMC Markets commands.
Neither CMC Markets nor FP Markets is a bank, but they both maintain regulatory compliance with one Tier-2 license each, considered trusted by ForexBrokers.com standards. CMC Markets' edge lies in its extensive regulatory backing and market presence, a result of its long history and public trading status. Meanwhile, FP Markets offers a strong trusted profile, appealing to traders seeking a straightforward trading experience. This comparison highlights important distinctions in their regulatory frameworks, helping potential investors make well-informed decisions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2005 |
| 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 CMC Markets and FP Markets based on their commissions and fees, both brokers emerge as strong contenders with distinctive offerings. CMC Markets, rated five stars and ranked #1 in the Commissions and Fees category, leads the industry with its consistently low spread offerings, making it an attractive option for both beginner and seasoned traders. With an average spread on the EUR/USD as low as 0.61 pips, CMC Markets' price structure ensures competitive trading costs. Additionally, their recently introduced FX Active pricing employs a commission-based scheme that results in a 0.5 pip all-in cost for several currency pairs, further enhancing the broker's appeal.
FP Markets, also rated five stars and ranked #6, matches CMC Markets' commitment to competitive pricing through its MetaTrader and cTrader platforms. The broker shines particularly with its Raw ECN account offering, where average spreads can be as low as 0.1 pips, although this rises to 0.8 pips when commissions are included. Their Iress platform offers tailored account options suited to a variety of trading styles, though they are best suited for active traders with high balances due to varying requirements and costs associated with the platform tiers.
In summary, both CMC Markets and FP Markets cater to different segments of the trading community with low-cost, attractive trading conditions. CMC Markets achieves this with its innovative pricing structures and low spreads, while FP Markets offers competitive pricing through its varied account offerings. For those seeking outstanding commission and fee structures, both brokers deliver high-value propositions, with CMC Markets slightly edging out in ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 AUD |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.7 |
| 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 FP Markets, both brokers provide access to forex trading through CFDs. However, CMC Markets boasts a wider selection of tradeable options with 11,925 symbols compared to FP Markets' 10,000. Specifically for forex pairs, CMC Markets offers 156 pairs, providing traders with a broader spectrum, while FP Markets offers 71 pairs. Notably, CMC Markets stands out by providing the opportunity to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone, which FP Markets does not offer.
Both brokers excel in the realm of derivative trading, including cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. For traders interested in copy trading, both platforms provide this feature. In terms of overall range of investments, CMC Markets is rated at 5 stars, while FP Markets holds a 4.5-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets ranks 9th out of 62 brokers for its range of investments, whereas FP Markets is ranked 18th. This positions CMC Markets as a slightly more versatile choice for those seeking expansive trading options and the ability to access global markets directly.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 71 |
| 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 the trading platforms and tools offered by CMC Markets and FP Markets, both brokers provide a comprehensive suite of options to cater to individual traders' needs. They each offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, which is great for beginners looking to practice without financial risk. Furthermore, both brokers have developed their own proprietary platforms and support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Traders can also access Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms. For those interested in copy trading, both providers deliver solutions, allowing users to mimic successful traders' strategies.
CMC Markets and FP Markets differ notably in their charting tools. CMC Markets boasts a more extensive range of features with 40 drawing tools and the capability to create 11 columns in watch lists, surpassing FP Markets which offers 17 drawing tools and seven columns for watch lists. Both brokers enable direct trading from stock charts, ensuring a seamless trading experience. The quality of their platforms is reflected in their ratings, with CMC Markets achieving a perfect five-star rating and ranking fourth among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for Trading Platforms and Tools. In comparison, FP Markets holds a four-star rating and ranks 23rd in the same category.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and FP Markets, both brokers excel by offering apps available for iPhone and Android, allowing traders to monitor the markets on the go. Users will appreciate similar features in both apps, such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. However, CMC Markets distinguishes itself with the ability to sync watchlist symbols between mobile and online accounts, a feature that FP Markets does not provide. Furthermore, CMC Markets provides more extensive charting options with 29 technical studies available, whereas FP Markets relies on the default settings of MetaTrader.
CMC Markets garners high marks with a user rating of 5 stars, ranking #5 out of 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category. In contrast, FP Markets trails slightly with a 4-star rating and comes in at #18. Both apps facilitate viewing charts in multiple time frames, auto-saving of chart drawings, and the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring a comprehensive trading experience. Nonetheless, CMC Markets' strong ratings and enhanced features make its mobile app particularly appealing for traders seeking advanced functionality at their fingertips.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | MetaTrader (Default) |
| 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 FP Markets excel in providing comprehensive market research tools and resources to their traders. They each offer daily market commentary, which helps users stay updated on the latest market trends and developments. Additionally, both brokers deliver forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring access to timely and reliable information. Traders seeking technical and fundamental analysis tools will find Autochartist integrated into the platforms of both brokers, allowing for enhanced decision-making. A notable distinction, however, is FP Markets' inclusion of Trading Central tools, enhancing their offering with detailed technical analytics—a feature CMC Markets does not provide.
In terms of additional market insights, both CMC Markets and FP Markets offer sentiment-based trading tools and comprehensive economic calendars, providing users with a well-rounded view of the market landscape. Despite these similarities, CMC Markets edges ahead with a prestigious 5-star research rating and a strong #6 ranking among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, FP Markets holds a commendable, yet slightly lower, 4-star rating and ranks at #25. Each broker's offerings cater to traders seeking a wealth of information and tools for informed trading, yet CMC Markets maintains a slight advantage in its overall research capabilities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| 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 at CMC Markets and FP Markets, both brokers offer extensive materials, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. Each broker provides over ten beginner-focused videos, ensuring a solid introduction to trading. An investor dictionary with definitions of more than fifty investing terms is also available from both brokers, making confusing terminologies more accessible.
FP Markets stands out with its commitment to live monthly webinars, offering interactive learning opportunities, a feature that is absent in CMC Markets' offerings. However, both brokers supply a searchable archive of past webinars, allowing users to catch up on missed content. Despite the slight edge given to FP Markets in webinar offerings, CMC Markets ranks higher overall according to ForexBrokers.com, with a 5-star rating and a #10 rank out of 62 brokers for educational resources, compared to FP Markets' 4 stars and #23 rank.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FP 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 FP Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while FP Markets finished with an overall rank of #19.
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
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 89 |
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Both CMC Markets and FP Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency; however, they both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both CMC Markets and FP Markets provide multiple funding options including PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, CMC Markets further allows ACH and SEPA transfers but lacks Skrill, whereas FP Markets supports Skrill without offering ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | FP Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 89 | |
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | FP Markets Review |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 89 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2005 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 71 | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 AUD | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | MetaTrader (Default) | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | FP 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 | FP 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 | FP Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | FP Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 89 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | FP Markets Review |
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