Plus500 vs CMC Markets 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
Plus500 suits traders who value specific use cases detailed below. CMC Markets suits traders who prioritise tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (12,000 vs 2,000).
Head to head
| Plus500 | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 509909 | FCA 173730 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $100 | None |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Instruments | 2,000+ | 12,000+ |
| MetaTrader | No | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo after 3mo | $10/mo after 12mo |
| Founded | 2008 | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Haifa, Israel | London, UK |
Regulation: Plus500 vs CMC Markets
Plus500 is regulated by FCA under licence 509909 (Plus500UK Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
CMC Markets is regulated by FCA under licence 173730 (CMC Markets UK plc). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Spreads and fees
Plus500's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. CMC Markets's EUR/USD spread is 0.5 pips. CMC Markets offers tighter spreads on this pair.
Plus500 charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 3 months without trading. CMC Markets charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months.
Platforms and tools
CMC Markets supports MetaTrader. Plus500 uses a proprietary platform only — traders who need MT4/MT5 for automated strategies should choose CMC Markets.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
Plus500 requires a minimum deposit of $100. CMC Markets requires None. CMC Markets has the lower barrier to entry.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
CMC Markets also has the lower minimum deposit of None. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
CMC Markets is better for experienced traders who need MetaTrader. CMC Markets's tighter spreads (0.5 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. CMC Markets offers more instruments (12,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: Plus500 vs CMC Markets
Choose Plus500 if you want specific use cases detailed below. The FCA licence (509909) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose CMC Markets if you want tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (12,000 vs 2,000). The FCA licence (173730) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Plus500 vs CMC Markets: which is better?
Plus500 is better for specific use cases detailed below. CMC Markets is better for tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (12,000 vs 2,000). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is Plus500 or CMC Markets safer?
Both Plus500 (FCA 509909) and CMC Markets (FCA 173730) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for Plus500 and CMC Markets?
Plus500 minimum deposit: $100. CMC Markets minimum deposit: None. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do Plus500 and CMC Markets have MetaTrader?
CMC Markets supports MT4 and MT5. Plus500 does not offer MetaTrader.