CMC Markets vs ThinkMarkets 2026: Which Broker is Better?

Regulation & Safety

CMC Markets, established in 1989 and headquartered in London, is a well-regulated entity with oversight from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This extensive regulatory coverage ensures a high level of client protection, including the segregation of client funds and participation in compensation schemes such as the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK.

ThinkMarkets, founded in 2010 and also based in London, holds licences from the FCA and ASIC, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory standards. Like CMC Markets, ThinkMarkets provides significant fund protection via segregated accounts and access to the FSCS. However, ThinkMarkets does not have the additional regulatory oversight from MAS, which might be a consideration for traders in the Asia-Pacific region.

Fees & Spreads

CMC Markets offers competitive spreads starting at 0.7 pips with no commissions on trades, making it attractive to traders seeking to minimise transaction costs. The absence of a minimum deposit requirement further enhances accessibility for beginners. However, traders should be aware of the inactivity fee charged after 12 months of non-use. Additionally, while CMC Markets offers extensive market access, some instruments may have higher spreads compared to competitors.

ThinkMarkets provides spreads starting from 0 pips on its ThinkZero account, but this comes with a commission of $3.5 per side, which might appeal to high-frequency traders prioritising tight spreads. Like CMC Markets, ThinkMarkets does not require a minimum deposit and offers maximum leverage of 1:500. However, traders should consider the impact of commissions on overall trading costs, particularly for those executing high volumes.

Trading Platforms

CMC Markets and ThinkMarkets both offer robust trading platforms. CMC Markets is renowned for its award-winning Next Generation platform, which provides advanced charting tools and access to over 10,000 instruments. It also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4). ThinkMarkets offers the ThinkTrader platform, known for its advanced trading tools and a strong mobile app, alongside MT4 and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Both brokers provide proprietary web and mobile platforms, catering to diverse trading preferences.

Who Should Choose CMC Markets?

• Traders seeking a wide range of instruments, including over 10,000 CFDs.
• Beginners looking for a broker with no minimum deposit requirement.
• Investors who prefer a highly regulated environment with comprehensive oversight.
• Traders valuing advanced charting tools available on the Next Generation platform.

Who Should Choose ThinkMarkets?

• High-frequency traders prioritising tight spreads with the ThinkZero account.
• Mobile traders looking for a reliable and feature-rich mobile trading app.
• Traders interested in using both MT4 and MT5 platforms.
• Investors who appreciate strong regulatory oversight but seek alternative platform features.

Our Verdict

For beginners, CMC Markets is a better choice due to its no-commission structure and expansive instrument range. Professional traders might prefer ThinkMarkets for its tighter spreads on ThinkZero accounts. On fees, CMC Markets holds a slight edge with no commissions, making it cost-effective for larger volumes.