CMC Markets vs OctaFX - Fees Review included
Which broker is better CMC Markets or OctaFX? Our expert assessment conducted according to TU’s own methodology showed that CMC Markets is one of the top brokers in the financial market with the TU Overall Score of 6.42 out of 10. OctaFX is one of the top brokers in the financial market with the TU Overall Score of 8.2 out of 10. Find out more about TU Overall Score.
| Feature | CMC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Overall |
3.9 |
4.1 |
4.5 |
3.9 |
|
4.4 |
4.5 |
|
4.8 |
2.9 |
|
Investment Instruments |
1 |
3.1 |
Platforms and Charting Tools |
3.4 |
4.4 |
Deposit and Withdrawal |
3.9 |
4.6 |
Research |
3.7 |
4.1 |
Education |
3.9 |
3.9 |
Support |
4.3 |
4.1 |
Bonuses |
1 |
4.3 |
|
|
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Pros and Cons
CMC Markets (https://www.CMC Markets.com/en/) is one of the leading companies in Forex and CFD trading, founded in 1989. The broker is regulated by the FCA (UK Financial Conduct Authority). The company provides a wide range of trading assets, including indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. Solid experience in the financial services market, regulation in the UK, and segregated accounts for clients are the foundation of a high level of traders' trust. The broker also has a risk management program. CMC Markets is popular in many countries, for example, in Australia.
The OctaFX Broker has been providing Forex services since 2011. It operates under the CySEC license and provides favorable conditions for Forex traders. At the moment, OctaFX has been chosen by more than 6.6 million clients worldwide as an intermediary to the financial markets, but the broker is focused on the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. OctaFX is popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and other countries. Its services are used by both active traders and passive investors who prefer to copy the successful trading strategies of other market participants. In 2020, OctaFX was named The Best CFD broker in the Asia-Pacific region by Capital Finance International, and in 2021, The Best Forex Broker in Asia by Global Banking and Finance Review.
| CMC Markets | OctaFX | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Pros | a wide range of assets | Trading at weekends |
| FCA-regulated broker | No non-trading commissions | |
| high level of security and compensation in case the company is recognized as illiquid | Copy trading service | |
| Overall Cons | No direct trading, only CFDs and spread betting | Limited number of supported assets |
| The CMC Markets broker does not provide investment programs for clients | High spreads |
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Safety and Regulation
| CMC Markets | OctaFX | |
|---|---|---|
Max. Regulation Level |
Tier-1 |
Tier-1 |
Investor protection |
£85,000 €100,000 (DE) |
€20,000 |
FCA UK Regulation |
Yes |
No |
FINRA (U.S) |
No |
No |
BaFin (Germany) |
Yes |
No |
ASIC (Australia) |
No |
No |
CFTC (U.S) |
No |
No |
MAS |
Yes |
No |
FSCA SA |
No |
No |
BVI FSC |
No |
No |
VFSC |
No |
No |
FSA (Seychelles) |
No |
No |
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Trading Conditions
| Trading Conditions | CMC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit |
$0 |
$100 |
Trading Platforms |
MT4 |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
Max Leverage (Futures) |
1-30 |
1-500, for EU clients - 1-30 |
Supported Markets |
Spread Betting Account, CFD Account, Corporate Account, and Demo Account |
32 currency pairs, CFDs on energy resources, cryptocurrencies, indices, gold, and silver |
Trading assets |
10000+ |
70+ |
Trading Accounts |
Spread Betting, CFD Account, Corporate Account |
Demo, OctaFX MT4, OctaFX MT5 |
Base Account Currencies |
USD, EUR, GBP |
USD, EUR |
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Fees
| CMC Markets | OctaFX | |
|---|---|---|
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, min pips |
0,5 |
0,6 |
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, max pips |
0,8 |
1 |
ECN Commission |
3 |
|
ECN Spread EUR/USD |
0,1 |
|
Deposit fee, % |
No |
No |
Withdrawal fee, % |
No |
No |
Withdrawal fee, USD |
No |
No |
Inactivity fee, $ |
10 |
No |
A conversion fee may be applied as withdrawals and deposits are conducted in USD. Any other currency will have to be converted.
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Trading Assets
| Asset Name | CMC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Overall |
10000+ |
70+ |
Forex |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes |
Stocks |
Yes (CFD) |
No |
Metals |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Cryptocurrencies |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Energy |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Indices |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
ETFs |
Yes (CFD) |
No |
Bonds |
No |
No |
Mutual funds |
No |
No |
Stock options |
No |
No |
Futures Trading |
No |
No |
Binary Options |
No |
No |
CMC Markets or OctaFX: Investment Programs
| Asset Name | CMC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Copy Trading |
No |
Yes |
MAM/PAMM |
No |
No |
Managed Accounts |
No |
No |
Other |
The CMC Markets broker does not provide investment programs for clients |
No |
Trading Platforms: OctaFX or CMC Markets
| CMC Markets | OctaFX | |
|---|---|---|
MT4 |
Yes |
Yes |
MT5 |
No |
Yes |
cTrader |
No |
No |
Appropriate platform |
No |
No |
Others |
No |
No |
|
|
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
| CMC Markets | OctaFX | |
|---|---|---|
Bank Wire |
Yes |
Yes |
Bank Card |
Yes |
Yes |
Neteller |
No |
No |
BTC |
No |
No |
Wise |
No |
No |
Payoneer |
No |
No |
USDT |
No |
No |
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Research
| Research Type | CMC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
News Feed |
Yes |
Yes |
Fundamental Data |
Yes |
Yes |
Chart Analysis |
Yes |
Yes |
Trading Ideas |
Yes |
No |
E-Mail Reports |
Yes |
Yes |
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Education
| Education Type | CMC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Demo-account/Paper Trading |
Yes |
Yes |
Webinars |
Yes |
Yes |
Articles |
Yes |
Yes |
Videos |
Yes |
Yes |
Cent account |
no |
Yes |
OctaFX vs CMC Markets: Support
| Support Features | CMC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Working Days |
24/5 |
24/5 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Phone |
yes |
yes |
Online chat |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
No |
Twitter, Telegram, or Facebook |
CMC Markets vs OctaFX: Forex Bonuses and Promo
| Promo | CMC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Forex Bonus |
No |
Bonuses of 10% to 50% are paid for each deposit starting at $50 During the period of special offers, the client can request a reward in the amount of 100% of the amount deposited into the account. The bonus is available for withdrawal after meeting the requirements for the trading volume. |
Affiliate Program |
Gray Label is targeted at licensed investment companies and trading account management firms. It allows you to copy the trading conditions of a broker. Cooperation is discussed individually with each partner. White Label allows the broker to use the CMC Markets network to promote the broker’s business. API Direct provides access to CFD and FX liquidity and stable prices for over 400 assets. Prime Derivatives allow counterparties to trade CFDs through the FIX API that is located in multiple data centers around the world and connected directly to the order management system. |
“Invite a friend” - a program that rewards $1 for 1 standard lot traded by the attracted referral, the minimum withdrawal amount is $5; "IB" – (Introducing Broker) the partner receives from $3 to $12 depending on the total number of connected clients; Master IB is a program for those who have created their own IB network. The master trader receives a 10% commission from the profits received by the attracted IB. He also has access to the standard introducing broker remuneration. White Label. It is an attractive solution for existing brokers who want to provide financial services to directly to others. The program makes it possible to use the powerful foundation of FP Markets, but at the same time promote a personal brand. |
Other Promos |
No |
Contests on MT4 demo accounts The winners of the competition, who take the first five prizes, receive real money to their trading account. The amount of remuneration ranges from $40 to $500. The term of the round is four weeks. Money can be withdrawn or transferred to a real account for further use in trading. |
|
|
Top 5 Reviews on OctaFX
-
Comment
Octa offers competitive spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD and leverage up to 1:1000, making it suitable for active traders. The conditions are also beginner-friendly — copy trading is supported, and there’s an economic calendar, educational articles, and analytics. The website is intuitive, and support responds within a couple of minutes, even at night. Another plus is the Trade & Win program with deposit bonuses of up to 50%.
-
Comment
Octa offers very transparent trading conditions: no hidden fees and zero deposit commissions. I use Skrill and Visa — everything goes smoothly. The OctaTrader platform is convenient, featuring a built-in idea feed and market event notifications. It’s also nice that cryptocurrency is supported — Bitcoin, Ethereum, and even local bank transfers are available for deposits.
-
Comment
Octa has been confidently established in the market since 2011, serving clients from 150 countries, which reflects the trust of traders worldwide. Licenses from FSC and MISA provide basic regulatory protection, and the availability of negative balance protection allows for trading with peace of mind. A nice bonus is the contests on demo accounts where real money is awarded — an excellent way to improve skills and earn without risk.
-
Comment
Octa offers a well-developed trading infrastructure with over 300 instruments, including 52 currency pairs, 150 stocks, and 34 cryptocurrencies. The minimum lot size starts from 0.01, and leverage goes up to 1:1000. I especially appreciated that 97% of orders are executed without slippage, and the ability to choose between fixed and floating spreads on MT4 and MT5 provides greater flexibility for different trading strategies.
-
Comment
Octa turned out to be one of the few brokers that lets you start trading with just $25 while offering access to three platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and OctaTrader. This is especially convenient for those exploring different trading styles. Spreads start from 0.6 pips, and there are no deposit or withdrawal fees, which helps reduce costs at the beginning. Plus, you can copy other traders’ positions through the built-in CopyTrading service.
Top 5 Reviews on CMC Markets
-
Comment
I chose CMC Markets because of its high level of reliability and strong regulatory oversight. The company has been operating since 1989 and holds licenses from the FCA, BaFin, CNMV, ASIC, and other authorities — which is very important to me. It offers one of the lowest minimum deposits at just $1, along with strong fund protection: the FCA compensation scheme covers up to £85,000, which far exceeds the protection offered by most brokers. I was also impressed by the wide range of available assets — stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and bonds — with spreads starting from just 0.1 pips. The only downside is that all sections are in English, but that’s not an issue for advanced users.
-
Comment
CMC Markets suits me when it comes to trading. Although I have been working with this company for a little over a year, I managed to withdraw trading profits several times. Withdrawing funds from CMC Markets is not fast because I use bank transfer. Of course, there is a fee. But the broker seems reliable, although there are some disadvantages.
-
Comment
I do not recommend that you continue working with CMC мarkets. The conditions there are not good at all. Spreads are high, swaps are crazy, and the platform operates disgustingly. Therefore, if you want to trade, trade with normal brokers. There are many of them - you can confidently take the top 10 companies from the rating and open an account there.
-
Comment
Trading on the СMC мarkets platform is a complex task. Achieving sustainable profits here requires extensive experience and skills. The broker charges high fees and sets consistently high spreads. This can make you a losing trader in the long run and the broker will take advantage of this knowing that you may end up losing. Therefore, I do not recommend that novice traders choose СMC мarkets for trading, since it is unlikely that they will be able to remain in the black for a long time.
-
Comment
I still don’t understand why CMC Markets exists? It seems to allow you to trade, explore the platform, start trading on a demo account, and even trade with real money. Naturally, there is a problem. If you lose, everything is fine, but if you win, they don’t allow you to withdraw your profits. The funny thing is that you can withdraw exactly as much as you deposited into the company. I deposited $500, which is exactly what I got back. But they don’t allow you to withdraw your profits. CMC Markets is some kind of fraud!
FAQs
What should I start Forex trading with?
It is desirable for novice traders to explore trading using a demo account to learn the market and how to work on the trading platform without the risk of suffering losses. At the same time, it is advisable to review the educational materials of the broker, learn trading basics. Then you can deposit the minimum required amount to perform a small number of transactions. If you manage to close several months in a row in the black, without substantial drawdowns on the account, then you can try increasing your deposit. Also trying to copy trades automatically is a good option for a start.
What amount should I start trading with?
The minimum deposit of $10 may be enough to trade on the cent account. However, for trading on Standard/ECT accounts, experts recommend starting with at least $200-500. With this amount, you can use not a very big leverage. Remember, getting carried away with the margin is the main cause of losses among beginners.
What should I take into consideration when choosing a broker?
Experts recommend looking at the broker’s reliability first and foremost. The other important features include basic trading conditions, commissions and fees, customer reviews. If brokers are approximately the same in terms of basic criteria, you need to choose based on your experience and tasks. One broker may be good for professionals and another – for novice traders.
Is it possible to be scammed by a broker with a license from a reputable regulator?
In theory, yes. But in practice, it takes so much time and money to comply with the requirements of reputable regulators that it is not worth it for scammers to bother obtaining a legitimate license.
Team that worked on the article
Mikhail Vnuchkov joined Traders Union as an author in 2020. He began his professional career as a journalist-observer at a small online financial publication, where he covered global economic events and discussed their impact on the segment of financial investment, including investor income. With five years of experience in finance, Mikhail joined Traders Union team, where he is in charge of forming the pool of latest news for traders, who trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, Forex instruments and fixed income.