Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs FXPrimus, 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 FXPrimus are two online brokers with distinct regulatory profiles. Established in 1989, CMC Markets is publicly traded and holds a strong reputation with a perfect Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This high rating is backed by five highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and one trusted Tier-2 license, demonstrating its commitment to offering a secure trading environment.
In contrast, FXPrimus, founded in 2009, is not publicly traded and presents a different regulatory stance. It holds a Trust Score of 71, indicating an average risk level according to ForexBrokers.com. FXPrimus is supported by just one highly trusted Tier-1 license and lacks any Tier-2 licenses. Both companies are not banks, emphasizing their distinct positions as dedicated brokerage firms in the financial market.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 |
| 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 for its excellent commissions and fees structure, securing the number one spot in ForexBrokers.com's 2025 Annual Awards for this category. Known for its low spreads, CMC Markets consistently offers competitive pricing with an average spread of 0.61 pips for the EUR/USD pair. Their innovative Price Plus Scheme rewards active traders with discounts on trading costs based on collected Trading Points, offering the potential for a 20% spread discount at higher tiers. Moreover, CMC Markets introduced the FX Active pricing model, which combines low spreads with a commission of $2.50 per side, available on both MT4 and Next Generation platforms.
In contrast, FXPrimus ranks 42nd out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com. While it earns a respectable 4-star rating, average spread data isn't readily available, which makes a direct comparison challenging. FXPrimus offers fewer incentives or advanced pricing structures compared to its competitors, like CMC Markets, which affects its ranking in the industry. Nonetheless, it's crucial for traders to consider their specific trading needs and research diligently while comparing brokers.
Overall, CMC Markets receives a 5-star rating for its consistently low-cost trading solutions, whereas FXPrimus, with its 4-star rating, might appeal to certain traders but lacks the comprehensive fee advantages offered by CMC Markets. When choosing a broker, consider these disparities in ranking and pricing features to ensure they align with your trading objectives.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| 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 | No |
| 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 FXPrimus, CMC Markets clearly offers a wider variety. CMC Markets provides an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs. In contrast, FXPrimus offers 140 tradeable symbols with 42 forex pairs. Both brokers allow forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, but CMC Markets stands out with the added capability to invest in exchange-traded securities. This allows clients to directly buy shares listed on both U.S. and international exchanges, unlike FXPrimus, which does not offer direct access to these markets.
Both CMC Markets and FXPrimus offer cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. They also provide copy trading features, making them appealing to traders looking to mirror successful strategies. However, CMC Markets receives higher recognition, with a 5-star rating for its range of investments compared to FXPrimus's 3.5 stars. According to rankings, CMC Markets holds the 9th position among 62 brokers for investment range, while FXPrimus ranks considerably lower at 59th.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 140 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 42 |
| 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.
CMC Markets and FXPrimus both offer a comprehensive range of trading platforms and tools, making them strong contenders for traders seeking flexibility and functionality. Both brokers provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, ensuring that users can build confidence before making any real investments. Offering proprietary and widely recognized platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, each broker caters to different trading preferences, whether users favor desktop downloads or convenient web-based platforms. While both platforms support copy trading, neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade functionalities. However, CMC Markets takes the lead by offering more drawing tools for charting and a greater number of watch list columns, making it more appealing for traders looking for detailed analysis capabilities.
When it comes to trading directly from stock charts, both CMC Markets and FXPrimus provide this feature, allowing users to execute trades seamlessly. Despite their similarities, CMC Markets sets itself apart with a higher rating of 5 stars and an impressive ranking at number 4 among 62 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Trading Platforms and Tools category. FXPrimus, on the other hand, holds a ranking of number 49 and a 4-star rating, indicating room for improvement. Overall, while both brokers deliver strong trading experiences, CMC Markets stands out for its richer features and higher market esteem according to industry rankings and ratings.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Both CMC Markets and FXPrimus offer mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users, providing customers with on-the-go access to forex and stock markets. Traders can receive price alerts and create watchlists with real-time quotes on both platforms. While CMC Markets takes it a step further with watchlist syncing, ensuring any changes are reflected across the app and online account, this feature is absent in FXPrimus' offering. When it comes to technical chart features, FXPrimus slightly edges out with 30 technical studies compared to CMC Markets' 29. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and auto-save chart drawings, delivering a comprehensive trading experience.
CMC Markets stands out with its superior user ratings. It boasts five stars for its mobile trading app, compared to FXPrimus' four stars. On ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets is ranked as a top performer at number five out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, showcasing its strong reputation in the mobile trading community. In contrast, FXPrimus finds itself further down the list, ranked at number 47. This indicates that while both apps are functional and packed with tools, CMC Markets appears to offer a more refined experience that resonates well with users.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FXPrimus provide daily market commentary, allowing traders to keep up-to-date with the latest financial trends. However, CMC Markets stands out by offering forex news from esteemed sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which is not a feature offered by FXPrimus. Additionally, CMC Markets provides traders with technical analysis tools from Autochartist and a sentiment-based trading tool that displays a ratio of long or short positions, thus offering a deeper dive into market trends. In contrast, FXPrimus lacks these additional research tools, potentially limiting the scope of market analysis available to its users.
While both brokers offer an economic calendar for global news events, CMC Markets takes a clear lead in overall market research capabilities. This is reflected in its perfect 5-star research rating and impressive #6 rank among 62 brokers as assessed by ForexBrokers.com. FXPrimus, on the other hand, earns a lower 3-star rating and ranks significantly lower at #58 in the same research category. For traders seeking comprehensive and high-tier market research tools, CMC Markets presents a more compelling choice.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| 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 educational resources for beginners, both CMC Markets and FXPrimus offer a wide range of materials such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. While FXPrimus holds the advantage of hosting monthly online educational webinars, both platforms provide access to a searchable archive of previously recorded sessions. However, CMC Markets stands out by offering over ten beginner-focused educational videos and a comprehensive investor dictionary with definitions for more than 50 investing terms, resources that FXPrimus lacks.
In terms of educational quality and rankings, CMC Markets secures a 5-star rating and holds the #10 spot in the Education category among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, FXPrimus receives a 3-star rating and ranks at #51. CMC Markets also delivers advanced educational videos tailored for experienced traders—a feature FXPrimus does not offer. Overall, CMC Markets emerges as a more comprehensive option for beginners eager to learn and progress in their trading journey.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 FXPrimus. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while FXPrimus finished with an overall rank of #53.
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
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
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Both CMC Markets and FXPrimus do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets stands out by offering ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for fund deposits and withdrawals, whereas FXPrimus provides Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal services.
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 | FXPrimus | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | FXPrimus | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2009 | |
| 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 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 140 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 42 | |
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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