Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs XTB, 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 XTB are two well-established online brokers that are both publicly traded, offering a layer of transparency and credibility. Founded in 1989, CMC Markets has built its reputation over decades and holds five Tier-1 licenses, which are the most trusted by ForexBrokers.com. This contributes to their impressive Trust Score of 99, signaling they are highly trusted. In contrast, XTB was founded in 2002 and holds two Tier-1 licenses, earning them a Trust Score of 96, which also categorizes them as a highly trusted broker.
Both brokers are non-banking institutions and comply with regulatory requirements across various jurisdictions. CMC Markets also maintains one Tier-2 license, which is considered trusted, while XTB holds two Tier-2 licenses. These credentials reflect their commitment to client protection and regulatory adherence, solidifying their positions as credible options in the world of online trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2002 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
CMC Markets is highly renowned for its competitive pricing, securing the top position in our Commissions and Fees category for 2025 with a perfect 5-star rating. Its stronghold lies in offering consistently low spreads, which apply across various customer segments and account types. The broker's typical spreads on EUR/USD average at 0.61 pips, positioning it well above the industry average according to August 2023 data. CMC Markets has further enhanced its competitiveness with the FX Active pricing structure, introduced in 2022. This model combines low spreads with a commission fee of $2.50 per side, giving an all-in cost of 0.5 pips for EUR/USD and other currency pairs. With these offerings, CMC Markets remains outstanding in delivering cost-effective trading solutions.
Meanwhile, XTB presents a solid, though less competitive, fee structure earning a respectable 4.5-star rating and ranking 11th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category. It offers both spread-only Standard accounts and a commission-based Professional account, although the latter is seldom available as it's being phased out. On average, XTB spreads stand at 1 pip for EUR/USD as of Q4 2023, aligning closely with the industry standard but not surpassing the best offerings. For most individual traders, the Standard account is more cost-effective, especially as the Pro account is primarily reserved for certain qualified clients within the U.K. and Europe.
XTB also provides a compelling active trader program through its Lower Spread Group, offering attractive rebates on spreads for traders meeting certain volume thresholds. Rebates can vary from 5% to 30% depending on monthly trading volumes, starting from 20 lots up to 1000 lots for the fullest discount. This initiative allows XTB to robustly compete with similar programs offered by other industry players, thus providing additional value for their active traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 1.00 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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.
Both CMC Markets and XTB offer extensive choices in their range of investments, catering to traders seeking diversity. CMC Markets stands out with a superior selection of tradeable symbols, providing users access to 11,925 options, including 156 forex pairs. XTB, while slightly more limited, still offers a commendable 7,184 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs. Both brokers allow customers to engage in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts and offer exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, allowing the purchase of popular stocks such as Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, both platforms support crypto derivatives trading, though neither provides the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies.
While both CMC Markets and XTB score five-star ratings in the range of investments, their feature offerings do have key differences. CMC Markets has integrated copy trading into its platform, whereas XTB does not provide this feature. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets holds a higher rank, positioned at number nine out of 62 brokers, compared to XTB's rank of 14. This ranking distinction suggests CMC Markets may offer a slightly more comprehensive investment array, yet both brokers remain strong contenders in the arena of diverse trading opportunities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 7184 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 71 |
| 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 of CMC Markets and XTB, there are clear distinctions that cater to different trader preferences. Both brokers offer a free virtual demo account, allowing traders to practice without risk. Moreover, they each provide a proprietary platform suited for both Windows download and web-based trading, making it convenient to trade from almost any device. CMC Markets stands out with its support for copy trading and compatibility with popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, giving traders a wider variety of options. On the other hand, XTB does not offer these MetaTrader platforms but focuses on its internally developed system to deliver a unique trading experience.
In terms of charting and analytical tools, CMC Markets packs a punch with 40 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from the chart, similar to XTB's offerings. Despite CMC Markets providing more flexibility with 11 columns for watch lists compared to XTB's 8, both platforms enable users to customize their trading views efficiently. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets is recognized for its exceptional trading platforms, securing a #4 rank and earning a top rating of 5 stars. Meanwhile, XTB also delivers high-quality service with a 4.5-star rating and a #9 ranking, though it slightly trails behind CMC Markets in this category.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 39 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 32 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both CMC Markets and XTB have made significant strides in offering comprehensive tools for traders on-the-go. Both platforms provide apps for iPhone and Android, keeping accessibility at the forefront. They each offer price alerts and the functionality to manage watchlists. An edge for CMC Markets, however, is its feature that syncs watchlist symbols across the mobile app and online account, ensuring seamless management, a feature that XTB doesn't provide. For those interested in technical analysis, XTB shines with 39 technical studies, surpassing CMC Markets’ 29, while both platforms provide tools like trendline drawing and multiple time frame views. Additionally, both apps save chart drawings automatically and support the creation of real-time watchlists.
Evaluating user satisfaction, CMC Markets boasts a 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, compared to XTB's respectable 4.5 stars. Furthermore, CMC Markets holds a higher ranking at #5 in ForexBrokers.com's category rankings, whereas XTB stands at #8 out of 62 brokers. The choice between these platforms may come down to personal preference, specifically around watchlist syncing and the variety of technical studies available, but both offer rich mobile trading experiences tailored to the needs of modern traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 39 |
| 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 comparing the market research offerings of CMC Markets and XTB, both platforms deliver daily market commentary and access to high-quality forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, a key difference lies in their use of research tools; CMC Markets provides content from Autochartist, enhancing its technical and fundamental analysis capabilities, while XTB does not utilize these tools. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools and comprehensive economic calendars to keep traders informed of global news events.
Both CMC Markets and XTB have garnered a stellar 5-star rating for research. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets holds a slight edge, ranked 6th out of 62 brokers, while XTB follows closely at 7th. Despite this minor distinction in ranking, both brokers remain top providers in research services, ensuring their users have access to valuable market insights and tools to guide their trading decisions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| 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 exploring educational resources for beginner traders, both CMC Markets and XTB provide a wealth of information to help new investors get started. Both platforms offer at least ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. For those who prefer learning through videos, each broker offers more than ten beginner-friendly educational videos that cover fundamental trading topics. Additionally, both CMC Markets and XTB maintain searchable archives of previously recorded webinars, providing a significant resource for ongoing learning.
While both brokers excel in many educational areas, there are a few differences worth noting. XTB hosts monthly online educational webinars, offering live learning experiences which can be invaluable for immediate guidance and interaction. CMC Markets, on the other hand, does not offer this live webinar option but compensates by providing a comprehensive investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, making it easier for beginners to understand complex terminology. Both brokers receive high ratings for their educational resources, with CMC Markets slightly edging out as the tenth-ranked platform by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, just ahead of XTB at eleventh. This subtle ranking difference may guide someone seeking deeply varied and easily accessible educational materials in choosing between the two.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 XTB. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while XTB finished with an overall rank of #7.
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
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
CMC Markets and XTB both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither provides the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency.
CMC Markets offers more versatility for account transactions with options like ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while XTB supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks ACH and SEPA transfer options.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2002 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 7184 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 71 | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 1.00 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 39 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 32 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 39 | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | XTB Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill