Choose ActivTrades if you want…
EU + UK traders wanting a reliable mid-tier FCA-regulated broker with strong proprietary tools and TradingView integration.
ActivTrades
⭐ 4.4 / 5
VS
CMC Markets
⭐ 4.5 / 5
ActivTrades vs CMC Markets — which broker is better in 2026?
We compared ActivTrades and CMC Markets across five core criteria: regulation, minimum deposit, spreads, platform choice, and overall user rating. The two brokers are evenly matched — your final choice depends on your specific trading style.
| ActivTrades | CMC Markets | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | ⭐ 4.4 / 5 | ⭐ 4.5 / 5 | CMC Markets |
| Regulators | FCA, CSSF Luxembourg, SCB Bahamas, CMVM Portugal | FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FMA NZ, IIROC, MA Poland | CMC Markets |
| Min. deposit | $0 (no minimum) | $0 (no minimum) | Tie |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips (Standard) / 0.5 pips (Pro) | 0.7 pips (Next Generation) | ActivTrades |
| Max. leverage | Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:200 (Pro) | Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:500 (Professional) | — |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, ActivTrader, TradingView | CMC Next Generation, MT4, CMC Mobile | ActivTrades |
| Founded | 2001 | 1989 | — |
| HQ | London, UK | London, United Kingdom | — |
Pros & cons compared
ActivTrades pros
- ✓ Founded 2001 — 20+ year operating history
- ✓ FCA + Luxembourg CSSF + Portugal CMVM tier-1 EU regulation
- ✓ Excellent proprietary ActivTrader platform with smart pattern recognition
- ✓ Native TradingView integration
- ✓ No minimum deposit + segregated client funds at Barclays
Cons
- ✗ Smaller brand than IG / CMC / Swissquote
- ✗ Limited cryptocurrency coverage
- ✗ Spreads on FX (0.5+ pips) not the absolute tightest
CMC Markets pros
- ✓ Founded 1989 — among the oldest CFD brokers (LSE: CMCX)
- ✓ FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS — tier-1 regulators across major financial centres
- ✓ 12,000+ instruments — one of the broadest catalogues in retail CFDs
- ✓ Award-winning proprietary 'Next Generation' platform
- ✓ No minimum deposit
Cons
- ✗ Proprietary platform has a learning curve vs. MT4
- ✗ Spread on FX 'Standard' account (0.7 pips) wider than ECN brokers
- ✗ Limited cryptocurrency CFD coverage
Which one should you choose?
Choose CMC Markets if you want…
Discretionary traders wanting deep instrument coverage and a sophisticated proprietary platform from a publicly-listed UK broker.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better — ActivTrades or CMC Markets?
ActivTrades and CMC Markets are evenly matched on most measurable criteria. Your choice should depend on which specific features matter most — review the comparison table above and the "Pros & Cons" section.
Is ActivTrades more regulated than CMC Markets?
ActivTrades holds licenses from: FCA, CSSF Luxembourg, SCB Bahamas, CMVM Portugal. CMC Markets holds licenses from: FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FMA NZ, IIROC, MA Poland. CMC Markets has more regulatory licenses, giving it broader geographic coverage.
What are the spreads at ActivTrades vs CMC Markets?
ActivTrades spreads start from 0.5 pips (Standard) / 0.5 pips (Pro). CMC Markets spreads start from 0.7 pips (Next Generation). Actual spreads vary by account type and market conditions.
Which has a lower minimum deposit, ActivTrades or CMC Markets?
ActivTrades: $0 (no minimum). CMC Markets: $0 (no minimum). Both require the same minimum.
