XTB vs CMC Markets - Fees Review included
Which broker is better XTB or CMC Markets? Our expert assessment conducted according to TU’s own methodology showed that XTB is one of the top brokers in the financial market with the TU Overall Score of 6.33 out of 10. CMC Markets is one of the top brokers in the financial market with the TU Overall Score of 6.45 out of 10. Find out more about TU Overall Score.
| Feature | XTB | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Overall |
4.3 |
3.9 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
|
3.8 |
4.4 |
|
4.7 |
4.8 |
|
Investment Instruments |
1 |
1 |
Platforms and Charting Tools |
4.4 |
3.4 |
Deposit and Withdrawal |
4.8 |
3.9 |
Research |
4.1 |
3.7 |
Education |
4.4 |
3.9 |
Support |
4.5 |
4.3 |
Bonuses |
4.6 |
1 |
XTB vs CMC Markets: Pros and Cons
The X Trade Brokers (hereinafter “XTB”) is registered in Belize and provides a fairly extensive list of financial services to traders. The company was incorporated in 2002 and its financial regulator is the Belize International Financial Services Commission (IFSC). The broker has offices in Spain, Poland, and the UK, where it is authorized and regulated by the National Financial Supervision Commissions. The XTB is focused on working primarily with European investors. It has several significant awards, including the Best Broker in Europe award by Global Banking & Finance Review and Best Financial Teacher by World Finance Exchange & Brokers.
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.
| XTB | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Pros | 2100+ trading instrumetns | a wide range of assets |
| Big choice of ETF CFDs | FCA-regulated broker | |
| Everage EURUSD spread 0.1 pip | high level of security and compensation in case the company is recognized as illiquid | |
| Advanced xStation trading platform | ||
| Well regulated broker | ||
| Overall Cons | High non trading fees - 1.5% commission for withdrawal to credit cards, Account fee 10EUR etc. | No direct trading, only CFDs and spread betting |
| High stock CFDs fees | The CMC Markets broker does not provide investment programs for clients |
XTB vs CMC Markets: Safety and Regulation
| XTB | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
Max. Regulation Level |
Tier-1 |
Tier-1 |
Investor protection |
£85,000 €20,000 |
£85,000 €100,000 (DE) |
FCA UK Regulation |
Yes |
Yes |
FINRA (U.S) |
No |
No |
BaFin (Germany) |
No |
Yes |
ASIC (Australia) |
No |
No |
CFTC (U.S) |
No |
No |
MAS |
No |
Yes |
FSCA SA |
No |
No |
BVI FSC |
No |
No |
VFSC |
No |
No |
FSA (Seychelles) |
No |
No |
XTB vs CMC Markets: Trading Conditions
| Trading Conditions | XTB | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit |
$1 |
$0 |
Trading Platforms |
MetaTrader 4 and xStation 5 |
MT4 |
Max Leverage (Futures) |
1-500 (only for non EU and UK clients), 1-30 |
1-30 |
Supported Markets |
Forex, CFDs on Stocks, Commodities, Metals, Cryptocurrencies and ETFs |
Spread Betting Account, CFD Account, Corporate Account, and Demo Account |
Trading assets |
2100+ |
10000+ |
Trading Accounts |
Demo, Standard, Pro, Islamic |
Spread Betting, CFD Account, Corporate Account |
Base Account Currencies |
USD |
USD, EUR, GBP |
XTB vs CMC Markets: Fees
| XTB | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, min pips |
0,5 |
0,5 |
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, max pips |
1,2 |
0,8 |
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 |
10 |
A conversion fee may be applied as withdrawals and deposits are conducted in USD. Any other currency will have to be converted.
XTB vs CMC Markets: Trading Assets
| Asset Name | XTB | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Overall |
2100+ |
10000+ |
Forex |
Yes |
Yes (CFD) |
Stocks |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Metals |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Cryptocurrencies |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Energy |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Indices |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
ETFs |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Bonds |
No |
No |
Mutual funds |
No |
No |
Stock options |
No |
No |
Futures Trading |
No |
No |
Binary Options |
No |
No |
XTB or CMC Markets: Investment Programs
| Asset Name | XTB | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Copy Trading |
No |
No |
MAM/PAMM |
No |
No |
Managed Accounts |
No |
No |
Other |
No |
The CMC Markets broker does not provide investment programs for clients |
Trading Platforms: CMC Markets or XTB
| XTB | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
MT4 |
Yes |
Yes |
MT5 |
No |
No |
cTrader |
No |
No |
Appropriate platform |
xStation 5 |
No |
Others |
No |
No |
XTB vs CMC Markets: Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
| XTB | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
Bank Wire |
Yes |
Yes |
Bank Card |
Yes |
Yes |
Neteller |
Yes |
Yes |
BTC |
Yes |
Yes |
Wise |
No |
No |
Payoneer |
No |
No |
USDT |
Yes |
Yes |
XTB vs CMC Markets: Research
| Research Type | XTB | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
News Feed |
Yes |
Yes |
Fundamental Data |
Yes |
Yes |
Chart Analysis |
No |
Yes |
Trading Ideas |
No |
Yes |
E-Mail Reports |
No |
Yes |
XTB vs CMC Markets: Education
| Education Type | XTB | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Demo-account/Paper Trading |
Yes |
Yes |
Webinars |
Yes |
Yes |
Articles |
Yes |
Yes |
Videos |
Yes |
Yes |
Cent account |
No |
no |
CMC Markets vs XTB: Support
| Support Features | XTB | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Working Days |
24/5 |
24/5 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Phone |
Yes |
yes |
Online chat |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
No |
No |
XTB vs CMC Markets: Forex Bonuses and Promo
| Promo | XTB | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Forex Bonus |
Welcome bonus for non UK/EU & MENA residents . 50% of your first deposit can be added to your account if you trade a minimum amount of lots (15% of your first deposit amount) within 60 days of your account opening, clients should aply for Welcombe bonus and deposit at least $100. |
No |
Affiliate Program |
The XTB affiliate program allows a client of the company to earn additional income by advertising the broker and attracting new clients. The amount of such income is up to 20% of the spread of the referred client |
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. |
Other Promos |
he XTB cashback (rebates) program is primarily for traders who trade actively. The client has the opportunity to receive partial compensation of the spread, subject to the fulfillment of the monthly trading volume |
No |
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!
Top 5 Reviews on XTB
-
Comment
I mainly trade CFDs with XTB. The broker offers over 2,100 instruments, including stocks, ETFs, indices, and cryptocurrencies. It’s especially convenient that the commission on stock trades starts from 0.08%, and the minimum trade size is 0.01 lots. Suitable for those looking to diversify their portfolio.
-
Comment
I chose XTB because of its regulated environment — the broker is overseen by the FCA, KNF, and other European supervisory authorities. This adds a level of trust when dealing with larger sums. The average spread on EUR/USD starts from 0.9 pips, with no fixed commission. These conditions are well-suited for long-term trading.
-
Comment
For all the time I have been working with xtb I have not had any complaints - the broker works transparently and legally. Withdrawal of funds goes without delays, the platform is convenient, and in general, cooperation brings only positive impressions. Of course, as in any trading, there are moments when the market does not go in your direction, for example, gaps after the weekend. I admit that at first it was unpleasant, but then I realized that it is just market realities and not the broker's fault. Otherwise, it is a pleasure to work here - fair conditions, adequate support and stability, which is worth a lot in this sphere.
-
Comment
Withdrawal of funds in XTB company is excellent - no delays and nervousness. In most cases, the money comes the next day after the request, maximum - in two days. This is really convenient, especially if efficiency is important. I have withdrawn funds several times, and each time the process went smoothly. The service works clearly, without hidden conditions or unexpected commissions. If you need a broker where you don't have to worry about timely withdrawal of profits, everything is on top here.
-
Comment
After a bad experience with several brokers of dubious reputation, I decided to take a break from trading. I practically did not trade for a whole year, because I simply did not see a platform suitable for me. However, eventually I came across xtb, and the broker interested me. Instead of immediately rushing into trading, I decided to approach the matter thoroughly: I studied reviews, observed the company and even got a consultation. What really struck me was the attitude towards clients. When I had questions, they answered them calmly and politely, without any irritation and rudeness, which, unfortunately, is not always found in this sphere. When the time came to withdraw my earnings, the process went smoothly, quickly and without unnecessary nerves. Now I can say that I have found a worthy broker with whom it is comfortable to work.
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.