CMC Markets vs Interactive Brokers 2026: Which Broker is Better?

Regulation & Safety

CMC Markets, established in 1989 and headquartered in London, is regulated by several top-tier authorities including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This regulatory framework ensures a high level of safety and transparency for traders, with the added benefit of fund protection schemes such as the UK's Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which provides coverage up to £85,000.

Interactive Brokers, founded in 1978 and based in Greenwich, USA, is also supervised by a robust set of regulatory bodies, including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and similar authorities as CMC Markets like the FCA, MAS, and ASIC. Interactive Brokers offers additional protection through the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and is known for its stringent compliance measures, making it a reliable choice for safety-conscious investors.

Fees & Spreads

CMC Markets offers competitive pricing with spreads starting from 0.7 pips on forex pairs, which is relatively higher than Interactive Brokers. However, there are no commissions on trades, making it an attractive option for cost-sensitive traders. The broker does not impose a minimum deposit requirement, and the maximum leverage offered is 1:500, which is suitable for various trading strategies. An inactivity fee is charged after 12 months of no trading activity, which traders should be mindful of.

Interactive Brokers features some of the lowest spreads in the industry, starting from 0.2 pips, and charges a commission of 0.005 per share or contract, which can be more appealing for high-frequency traders. Like CMC Markets, there is no minimum deposit requirement. However, the maximum leverage is limited to 1:4, which may not cater to all trading styles. An inactivity fee applies to small accounts, and the account opening process may be slower compared to other brokers.

Trading Platforms

CMC Markets offers its proprietary Next Generation platform, available on both web and mobile, alongside the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4). The Next Generation platform is award-winning, known for its intuitive interface and comprehensive charting tools. Interactive Brokers, on the other hand, provides its proprietary platform, Trader Workstation (TWS), which is renowned for its advanced features tailored for professional traders. However, its complexity might be overwhelming for beginners.

Who Should Choose CMC Markets?

• Traders looking for a broker with no minimum deposit requirement.
• Investors interested in a wide range of CFDs and instruments.
• Beginners seeking a user-friendly platform with educational resources.
• Traders who require high leverage options up to 1:500.

Who Should Choose Interactive Brokers?

• Experienced traders who need access to 150+ markets in 33 countries.
• Investors focusing on low spread costs and minimal commissions.
• Professional traders requiring sophisticated trading tools and analytics.
• Traders who prioritise regulatory safety and fund protection.

Our Verdict

For beginners, CMC Markets is the recommended choice due to its user-friendly platform and no minimum deposit. Professional traders will likely prefer Interactive Brokers for its advanced tools and broader market access. In terms of fees, Interactive Brokers leads with its lower spreads and commissions.