CMC Markets Review 2026
Founded 1989 · London, United Kingdom
Last updated: May 27, 2026
CMC Markets is a London-listed (LSE: CMCX) CFD and spread betting provider with a proprietary Next Generation platform. Offering 12,000+ instruments with advanced charting, pattern recognition, and competitive pricing, CMC is a top choice for technically-driven UK and global traders.
CMC Markets Spreads & Fees Breakdown
Our automated tracking systems monitor CMC Markets's live pricing across all major trading sessions. Below is the historical average spread data for their most popular account type.
Non-Trading Fees
Frequently Asked Questions about CMC Markets Fees
What is CMC Markets?
CMC Markets is a London-listed (LSE: CMCX) CFD and spread betting provider founded in 1989 by Peter Cruddas. It is one of the oldest and largest independent financial trading companies in the world, offering 12,000+ instruments across forex, indices, commodities, shares, crypto, and treasuries via its proprietary Next Generation platform. CMC is regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), BaFin (Germany), and MAS (Singapore).
Does CMC Markets offer spread betting?
Yes. CMC Markets offers tax-free spread betting exclusively for UK and Ireland residents, alongside standard CFD trading for international clients. Both use the same Next Generation platform with identical charting and tools. Spread betting profits are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Stamp Duty in the UK — a significant advantage over CFD trading for eligible clients.
What is the CMC Markets Next Generation platform?
Next Generation is CMC's proprietary web-based trading platform and is widely considered one of the best proprietary platforms in the industry. It features 115+ technical indicators, 70+ chart patterns with an AI-powered pattern recognition scanner, 12 chart types, customizable layouts, client sentiment indicators, Reuters news integration, and a module linking system that lets you sync charts and watchlists. It's available on web, mobile, and tablet with seamless sync across devices.
Is CMC Markets good for beginners?
CMC Markets is suitable for intermediate traders but not the best for complete beginners. The Next Generation platform is more intuitive than MetaTrader, but the sheer number of instruments (12,000+) and advanced features can be overwhelming. The educational content is limited compared to XM, eToro, or IG. However, the no-minimum-deposit policy and clean interface make it accessible for motivated learners.
What are CMC Markets spreads and fees?
CMC Markets uses a spread-only pricing model with no separate commissions. EUR/USD spreads start from 0.7 pips, GBP/USD from 0.9 pips, and major indices from 1 point. While spreads are competitive, they are wider than raw/ECN brokers like IC Markets (0.0 pips + commission). CMC charges a $10/month inactivity fee after 12 months of no trades — one of the more lenient inactivity policies in the industry.
Does CMC Markets support MetaTrader 5?
CMC Markets supports MetaTrader 4 but does NOT support MetaTrader 5 or cTrader. The primary platform is their proprietary Next Generation system. If MT5 is a requirement, consider Pepperstone, IC Markets, or ThinkMarkets instead. CMC's API access is available for institutional clients through its CMC Connect service.
Is CMC Markets safe and regulated?
Yes. CMC Markets is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: CMCX), providing full financial transparency through annual reports. It holds Tier-1 regulatory licenses from the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), BaFin (Germany), and MAS (Singapore). Client funds are held in segregated accounts at major banks. UK clients are protected by the FSCS scheme up to £85,000.