Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs RoboForex, 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, established in 1989, stands out with its exceptionally high Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, and is publicly traded, adding to its credibility. Although not a bank, CMC Markets holds 5 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, signaling a strong regulatory framework and reinforcing its status as a highly trusted brokerage platform.
Founded in 2009, RoboForex operates with a Trust Score of 73, indicating an average risk level in terms of trustworthiness by ForexBrokers.com standards. While RoboForex is not publicly listed and also not a bank, it maintains a regulatory presence with 1 Tier-1 license. Although it lacks Tier-2 licenses, RoboForex remains a functional broker for traders who are aware of its trust rating.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2 |
When comparing online brokers, CMC Markets emerges as a clear leader in the Commissions and Fees category, achieving first place in ForexBrokers.com's 2025 Annual Awards. The broker is notable for its consistently low spreads across all customer segments and account types, offering an average spread of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD as of August 2023. CMC Markets also provides a unique Price Plus Scheme, allowing active traders to earn discounts on trading costs based on accumulated Trading Points. With commission-based pricing under its FX Active program, available in various regions including Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.K., CMC Markets offers a compelling all-in cost structure with spreads starting from zero pips, ensuring competitive trading conditions.
Conversely, RoboForex ranks lower at 54th place out of 62 brokers in terms of commissions and fees. It offers average spreads of 1.3 pips for EUR/USD on its Procent and Pro accounts, which is significantly higher compared to CMC Markets. While RoboForex maintains a respectable rating of 3.5 stars out of five in this category, its pricing may still fall short for cost-conscious traders aiming to maximize their profitability.
Overall, CMC Markets stands out due to its superior pricing structure, award-winning low spreads, and innovative discount programs that benefit active traders. With a perfect five-star rating, CMC Markets continues to attract traders who prioritize lower trading costs, while RoboForex, with its 3.5-star rating, may appeal to those who focus on other brokerage features outside of commissions and fees.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.3 |
| 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 it comes to the variety of investment opportunities, CMC Markets and RoboForex both offer extensive options but differ in their offerings' scope and breadth. CMC Markets stands out with an impressive array of 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs. This platform provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to invest directly in shares like Apple or Vodafone. Although CMC Markets doesn't provide the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, it does offer cryptocurrency derivatives as part of its investment options. It also supports copy trading, making it a versatile choice for investors seeking diverse opportunities. These factors contribute to its top-tier rating of 5 stars for Range of Investments and a ranking of 9th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
RoboForex, meanwhile, offers a robust selection of 8,400 tradeable symbols with 28 forex pairs, appealing to those interested in forex and CFD trading. While it doesn't extend access to buying exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international markets, RoboForex does match CMC Markets in offering cryptocurrency derivatives and copy trading functionalities. Rated at 4.5 stars, RoboForex holds the 20th position for Range of Investments on ForexBrokers.com. Its comprehensive yet more compact offering compared to CMC Markets makes it an appealing choice for investors who prioritize simplicity alongside a solid selection of investment tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 8400 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 28 |
| 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, CMC Markets and RoboForex both offer features that cater to various trading needs, including simulated or paper trading through free virtual demo accounts. CMC Markets shines with its proprietary platform developed in-house, providing a personalized experience that is highly rated by users. Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular choices for many traders. However, CMC Markets takes the lead with its desktop platform available for Windows users, complemented by its extensive 40 drawing tools for charting, allowing for detailed analysis and customization.
RoboForex, while not offering a proprietary platform, still maintains a comprehensive trading environment with both Windows-based and web-based platforms. It provides the convenience of copy trading, similar to CMC Markets. Yet, RoboForex offers fewer charting tools with 15 drawing options and only 7 columns for watch lists compared to CMC Markets' 11. These distinctions contribute to CMC Markets earning five stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, ranking 4th out of 62 brokers. RoboForex, albeit solid with a four-star rating, is positioned at 43rd, indicating room for improvement in its offerings.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 RoboForex provide iPhone and Android apps, making their platforms accessible for traders on the go. When it comes to real-time trading features, both apps offer stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and viewing different time frames on charts. Users can also create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, a key difference lies in the synchronization of watchlists; CMC Markets offers watchlist symbol syncing across devices, while RoboForex does not.
In terms of technical analysis tools, RoboForex slightly edges out with 30 technical studies compared to CMC Markets' 29. Both platforms auto-save drawings on their charts. When it comes to ratings and ranking by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets receives a top-tier 5-star rating and is ranked 5th out of 62 brokers, while RoboForex is rated 4 stars and ranked 43rd. This suggests that users might find CMC Markets' mobile trading app more user-friendly and efficient in performance.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When it comes to market research, both CMC Markets and RoboForex offer daily market commentary and deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, CMC Markets distinguishes itself with a broader range of research tools, including Autochartist's technical and fundamental analysis features, and sentiment-based trading tools that provide insights into market moves. Though RoboForex lacks these particular resources, it makes up for it with offerings from Trading Central and Acuity Trading’s Signal Centre, providing diverse angles of analysis for traders.
In terms of economic calendars to keep track of global news events, both brokers provide comprehensive resources. Yet, CMC Markets pulls ahead with an impressive 5-star rating for research, as opposed to RoboForex’s 3.5 stars. Additionally, in a comparative review by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets shines in the Research category, ranking at a notable sixth place out of 62 brokers, while RoboForex is positioned as thirty-seventh. This highlights CMC Markets as a highly reliable source for market insights, making it a preferred choice for traders seeking an extensive array of research tools.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing CMC Markets and RoboForex for the educational resources available to beginners, CMC Markets emerges as a more comprehensive choice. CMC Markets offers a range of educational materials specifically designed for beginner traders, covering both forex and CFDs. This includes more than 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also provide a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars and a plethora of beginner-focused educational videos. Additionally, CMC Markets offers a well-structured investor dictionary featuring over 50 investing terms, making it an excellent resource for those new to trading. In contrast, RoboForex falls short in this area, lacking a significant archive of educational content that specifically targets beginners.
While neither platform offers monthly live educational webinars, CMC Markets clearly stands out with its extensive range of resources tailored to new traders. They go above and beyond by offering not just beginner content but also advanced educational videos for more experienced traders. Evaluations reflect this distinction, with CMC Markets receiving a top-tier 5-star rating and being ranked #10 out of 62 brokers for its educational offerings by ForexBrokers.com. RoboForex, on the other hand, garners a 3.5-star rating and is positioned at a much lower #56 ranking, highlighting the disparity in educational value provided by these two brokers for those starting their trading journey.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 RoboForex. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while RoboForex finished with an overall rank of #46.
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
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both CMC Markets and RoboForex do not provide the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies but offer access to cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both CMC Markets and RoboForex support ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, while RoboForex additionally offers Skrill, which is not available with 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 | RoboForex | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | RoboForex Review |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| 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 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 8400 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 28 | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.3 | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | RoboForex | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | RoboForex Review |
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