eToro versus CMC Markets

Millennial and GenZ traders who prefer social trading from a user-friendly mobile app will find eToro an ideal broker. Services like the proprietary CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios serve the active trading community of 25M+ well, and passive investors get in-house managed thematic investment portfolios. Beginner traders get quality services like the eToro Academy, eToro plus, and The Bull Club.

CMC Markets provides traders with a cutting-edge proprietary web-based trading platform, including an automated pattern recognition scanner, a price projection box, and detailed trade analytics. Algorithmic traders get the MT4 trading platform, the leader in this category. Quality education and research are also available.

We have conducted an in-depth review of eToro and CMC Markets to determine which one presents the better overall choice and which traders will benefit the most at either broker.

Headquarters
IsraelUnited Kingdom
Regulators
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSAFCA
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established
20071989
Execution Type(s)
Market MakerMarket Maker
Minimum Deposit
$50 - $10,000N/A
Negative Balance Protection
N/A
Trading Platform(s)
Proprietary platformMetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform, Web-based
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
1.0 pips0.6 pips ($6.00)
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
2.2 pips0.9 pips ($9.00)
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.05 $0.03
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.45 $0.34
Retail Loss Rate
74%N/A
Minimum Raw Spreads
0.8 pipsN/A
Minimum Standard Spreads
1.3 pipsN/A
Minimum Commission for Forex
$0.00N/A
Islamic Account
Signals
US Persons Accepted?
Managed Accounts
Get StartedGet Started

Features and Platforms

MT4
MT5
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons
N/A
cTrader
Proprietary Platform
Automated Trading
Social/Copy Trading
N/A
DOM?
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Scalping
Hedging
One-Click Trading
OCO Orders
Interest on Margin
Get StartedGet Started

Noteworthy:

eToro continues to expand further into cryptocurrencies with a newly announced NFT fund. CMC Markets shines with its fast order execution and deep liquidity.

Available Markets

Currency Pairs
Cryptocurrencies
Commodities
Crude Oil
Gold
Metals
Equity Indices
Stocks
N/A
Stocks (non-CFDs)
Bonds
ETFs
Options
N/A
Futures
Synthetics
Get StartedGet Started

2,000+ CFDs, direct share dealing, and in-house managed thematic investment portfolios ensure traders with eToro have sufficient market exposure. CMC Markets counters with 11,500+ assets, including an offering of 330+ currency pairs, making it a leader in this sector. Passive investors get ETFs at both brokers, eToro has more cryptocurrencies, but CMC Markets features crypto indices.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
1.0 pips0.6 pips ($6.00)
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
2.2 pips0.9 pips ($9.00)
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.05 $0.03
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.45 $0.34
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin
$574 $75.00
Minimum Raw Spreads
0.8 pipsN/A
Minimum Standard Spreads
1.3 pipsN/A
Minimum Commission for Forex
$0.00N/A
Deposit Fee
N/A
Withdrawal Fee
N/A
Inactivity Fee
$10 monthly after 12 monthd N/A
Get StartedGet Started

Forex traders at eToro face trading costs starting at $10 per lot versus $7 at CMC Markets. eToro offers commission-free direct share investments but levies a 0.09% commission on CFDs. CMC Markets charges 0.10% but maintains a volume-based rebate program, creating a notable cost advantage for high-volume traders.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator
Australia, Cyprus, Seychelles, United KingdomUnited Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom
Name of the Regulator
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSAFCA
Regulatory License Number
491139, 109/10, 583263, SD076173730, 170627,154814, 238054, 41187, 101320, F002740, Undisclosed but confirmed
Regulatory Tier
N/A1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2
Get StartedGet Started

Both brokers segregate client deposits from corporate funds and offer negative balance protection. An investor compensation fund exists for selected subsidiaries. eToro also has a $1,000,000 third-party insurance program underwritten by Lloyd's of London, while CMC Markets is a publicly listed company and FTSE250 constituent. The security and trust environments at both brokers are excellent.

eToro vs CMC Markets – Verdict

eToro

ProsCons
Copy-trading with a community numbering almost 25 million tradersHigher minimum deposit requirement but within a reasonable range
User-friendly web-based trading platform and mobile appAbsence of MT4 and no algorithmic trading
Quality educational offering for beginner traders via videos
Balanced asset selection with a focus on equity CFDs and ETFs

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CMC Markets

ProsCons
Cutting-edge proprietary trading platform for manual tradersLow leverage for retail traders
Excellent asset selection and leading Forex broker with 330+ currency pairsLimited deposit and withdrawal methods
In-depth educational platform for beginner traders and quality research
A publicly listed company with a clean track record and decades of experience

CMC Markets offers a well-balanced asset selection, outstanding order execution, and supports algorithmic trading. Since eToro serves its core trader base of millennial and GenZ traders who prefer casual, mobile social trading better, it takes an overall lead over CMC Markets as a broker.

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Read full eToro Review

FAQs

What platform does CMC Markets use?

CMC Markets offers its cutting-edge proprietary web-based trading platform alongside the algorithmic-supportive MT4.

Are CMC Markets Good?

CMC Markets presents a highly competitive product and services portfolio, making it one of the leading global multi-asset brokers.

Who owns CMC Markets?

CMC Markets is a publicly listed company and FTSE250 constituent. Therefore, shareholders own CMC Markets.

What is the minimum deposit for CMC Markets?

CMC Markets does not have a minimum deposit, allowing clients flexibility in managing their portfolios.

Is eToro safe?

eToro is a safe broker as it complies with five regulators, segregates client deposits from corporate funds, has a clean track record, plus a $1,000,000 third-party insurance program.

How do I withdraw money from CMC Markets?

The secure back office of CMC Markets handles all financial transactions for verified clients.

Does CMC have inactivity fees?

CMC Markets charges a monthly inactivity fee of $15 after twelve months of account dormancy.

Can I trade crypto on CMC?

CMC Markets offers 18 cryptocurrency CFDs and three cryptocurrency indices.

Does CMC Markets allow scalping?

CMC Markets has no restrictions on scalping and maintains a competitive trading infrastructure for it.

Which broker is better than eToro?

eToro caters primarily to social equity traders, and many brokers offer better trading conditions to niche requirements.

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