Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Trading 212, 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 Trading 212 are both popular online brokers, but they differ significantly in their level of regulatory oversight and trustworthiness. Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is publicly traded and holds an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating it is highly trusted. This broker boasts five Tier-1 licenses, which are considered the most reliable, and one Tier-2 license. Meanwhile, Trading 212, founded in 2004, is not publicly traded and holds a Trust Score of 79, placing it in the average risk category. It carries two Tier-1 licenses but lacks any Tier-2 licenses.
Although neither CMC Markets nor Trading 212 operates as a bank, CMC Markets' extensive regulation contributes to its high level of trust compared to Trading 212. For individuals seeking a broker with a strong regulatory framework and trustworthiness, CMC Markets presents a more compelling choice. On the other hand, Trading 212 may appeal to those prioritizing different features, despite its lower regulatory footprint and Trust Score.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, CMC Markets stands tall as the leader, earning the top spot in the 2025 Annual Awards for its pricing strategy. It offers consistently low spreads across various account types, with average spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD. The broker enhances its offerings through the Price Plus Scheme, a program that rewards active traders with up to a 20% discount on spreads, based on trading volume. CMC Markets also introduced FX Active, a pricing structure that combines commission charges with competitive spreads. This model brings an all-in cost of 0.5 pips for EUR/USD and several other currency pairs, demonstrating CMC's dedication to affordability. For its stellar performance, CMC Markets is rated 5 stars and ranked first among 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category.
On the other hand, Trading 212 provides a no-commission trading experience for its CFD and forex account holders, though spreads still apply. The minimum deposit for its CFD account is 10 euros, making it relatively accessible. However, its average spread for the EUR/USD pair at 1.9 pips is notably higher than the industry standard. This higher spread places Trading 212 at a disadvantage in comparison to top-tier CFD and forex brokers. Rated 4 stars, Trading 212 is ranked 43rd, out of the same 62 brokers, in ForexBrokers.com's Commissions and Fees category.
While CMC Markets excels with its competitive spreads and active trader discounts, Trading 212 offers the simplicity of zero commission at the cost of less favorable spreads. For traders prioritizing cost-efficiency, CMC Markets presents a compelling option, whereas Trading 212 appeals to those looking for straightforward pricing without commission. Both platforms cater to distinct trader profiles, allowing users to choose based on their financial strategy and trading needs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 1.9 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets and Trading 212 both provide a wide array of investment options, appealing to diverse trading preferences. CMC Markets boasts a staggering 11,925 tradeable symbols, surpassing Trading 212, which offers 8,025 symbols. Forex traders will find ample opportunities with CMC Markets, which offers 156 tradeable forex pairs, slightly more than the 146 pairs provided by Trading 212. Both platforms enable investors to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, ensuring flexibility in how traders can engage with currency markets. Additionally, both CMC Markets and Trading 212 allow trading of exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, giving access to renowned companies like Apple and Vodafone.
When considering features like copy trading, CMC Markets holds an edge by offering this service, a feature not available on Trading 212. However, cryptocurrency enthusiasts will find both platforms limited in terms of buying actual cryptocurrencies, as neither offers the purchase of real cryptocurrencies, only derivatives. Despite these distinctions, both CMC Markets and Trading 212 have been recognized for their extensive range of investments, earning 5-star ratings in this category. Nonetheless, CMC Markets holds a slightly higher rank at #9 compared to Trading 212's #15 in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 8025 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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 Trading 212, CMC Markets takes the lead with a more comprehensive suite of features, earning a 5-star rating. Both brokers provide access to virtual demo accounts which is perfect for beginners or those looking to refine their trading strategies without financial risk. While each offers its proprietary platform, CMC Markets sets itself apart with a Windows-based desktop download option, something Trading 212 lacks. CMC Markets excels in offering popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, whereas Trading 212 does not support these platforms.
For technical analysis enthusiasts, CMC Markets provides 40 charting drawing tools compared to Trading 212's 20, and allows users to watch market trends with a more enriched watch list incorporating 11 columns against Trading 212's 5. Both platforms enable trading directly from stock charts, enhancing user convenience. However, while CMC Markets supports copy trading, Trading 212 currently does not. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets is ranked #4 out of 62 brokers for its superior trading platforms and tools, while Trading 212 is ranked #21, demonstrating a solid offering but trailing behind CMC Markets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both CMC Markets and Trading 212 offer solid mobile trading solutions, with apps available for both iPhone and Android users. They each provide key features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to sync watchlists between mobile and online accounts, and functions for drawing trendlines and viewing various timeframes on charts. Notably, both apps support creating watchlists with real-time quotes, making them attractive options for traders on the go. However, when it comes to technical studies for charting, Trading 212 offers a more extensive selection with 104 studies compared to CMC Markets' 29.
In terms of user ratings and industry rankings, CMC Markets receives a top-tier rating of 5 stars for its mobile trading apps, securing the #5 spot out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Trading 212 holds a respectable 4-star rating and ranks at #17. These ratings highlight CMC Markets as a preferred choice for those prioritizing mobile trading experience, although Trading 212 stands strong with its comprehensive charting tools. Both apps auto-save chart drawings, adding convenience for users looking to maintain their analysis across sessions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and Trading 212 both offer a variety of research tools, but there are distinct differences between the two brokers. CMC Markets provides daily market commentary, offering insights and updates regularly, whereas Trading 212 does not feature this service. Both platforms deliver forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, keeping traders informed about the latest market developments. However, for those interested in technical and fundamental analysis, CMC Markets stands out by offering tools from Autochartist, whereas Trading 212 does not include these advanced tools. Both brokers provide a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments.
In terms of additional research resources, neither CMC Markets nor Trading 212 incorporate services from Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. However, they both do offer an economic calendar showcasing global news events, which is essential for informed trading decisions. Overall, CMC Markets receives a higher rating of 5 out of 5 stars for research, reflecting its comprehensive suite of tools and insights, whereas Trading 212 is rated at 3.5 stars. This distinction is further highlighted by their rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where CMC Markets is positioned at #6 out of 62 brokers, while Trading 212 is ranked at #46, showing a clear edge in research services offered by CMC Markets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners in forex and CFDs, both CMC Markets and Trading 212 offer a comprehensive suite of learning materials, each providing at least 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, there are key differences. Trading 212 stands out by offering regular monthly online webinars, a feature CMC Markets currently does not provide. Both platforms provide access to a rich archive of recorded webinars, ensuring that users can delve into past sessions at their convenience.
In terms of video content, both CMC Markets and Trading 212 offer an abundant selection of beginner and advanced educational videos, catering to different skill levels. Additionally, each of these brokers provides an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms. Despite their similar offerings, CMC Markets earns a higher education rating with 5 stars and ranks #10 in the education category according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas Trading 212 is rated 3.5 stars and holds the #20 spot. This distinction highlights CMC Markets as a more favored choice for those prioritizing educational depth and quality.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Trading 212. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
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
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 |
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Both CMC Markets and Trading 212 do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, offering instead the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both CMC Markets and Trading 212 provide multiple options for depositing and withdrawing funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Visa or Mastercard, while neither offers Skrill, but both do support bank wire transactions.
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 | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2004 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 8025 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 1.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
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