Menu
Policy and Terms What is InvestinGoal

InvestinGoal » Best Online Brokers » Compare Brokers » CMC Markets vs eToro

CMC Markets vs eToro: Comparison and Analysis

Written by Filippo Ucchino Fact-Checked by Luca Puddu Publication Date Last Updated
Our verdict · CFD/FX trading

CMC Markets is better than eToro for CFD trading in the UK by a small margin, because it has a lower EUR/USD cost (7.00 USD per lot against 11.60 USD), asks for no minimum deposit, where eToro asks for 100.00 USD, and gives access to more tradable symbols (12,000 against 5,461). CMC Markets runs MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingView next to its own platform, allows scalping and hedging, executes orders in 9 ms, holds the account in 2 currencies against 1 and credits deposits in 2 days against 5 days. CMC Markets and eToro are both regulated in the UK by the FCA. Both offer a demo account that does not expire, provide corporate and professional accounts and run copy and social trading.

Our verdict · Real stock investing

eToro is better than CMC Markets for real stock investing in the UK by a small margin, because it charges no commission on US stocks and lets you own crypto outright. CMC Markets asks for no minimum deposit, where eToro asks for 100.00 USD, gives access to more tradable symbols (12,000 against 5,461), runs MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingView next to its own platform, holds the account in 2 currencies against 1 and pays out withdrawals in 2 days against 7 days. eToro and CMC Markets are both regulated in the UK by the FCA. Both let you own ETFs and shares outright, offer a demo account that does not expire and provide corporate and professional accounts.

Scores, winners and data below compare these brokers as CFD/FX brokers (leveraged trading on forex, indices, commodities and crypto), using the data of CMC Markets' UK entity and eToro's UK entity. Scores, winners and data below compare these brokers as stock brokers (real shares and ETFs you own outright), using the data of CMC Markets' UK entity and eToro's UK entity.

Best overall

CMC Markets

CFDCFD CMC Markets offers CFD trading: leveraged contracts that follow the price of an asset without owning it. Switch the comparison to CFD/FX to rate it on that. FXFX CMC Markets offers forex trading: currency pairs such as EUR/USD, traded with leverage. Forex is rated together with CFDs, on the CFD/FX side. StocksStocks CMC Markets lets you buy real assets that you own outright. Switch the comparison to Stocks to rate it on that. Regulated in your country CMC Markets is allowed by FCA to onboard clients residing in the UK.
CMC Markets review ›
84CFD/FXOverall score CMC Markets scores 84/100 for CFD/FX trading. The overall score is calculated from the data in this comparison across 12 areas. 78StocksOverall score CMC Markets scores 78/100 for stock investing. The overall score is calculated from the data in this comparison across 12 areas.
Open Account

78% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Best overall

eToro

CFDCFD eToro offers CFD trading: leveraged contracts that follow the price of an asset without owning it. Switch the comparison to CFD/FX to rate it on that. FXFX eToro offers forex trading: currency pairs such as EUR/USD, traded with leverage. Forex is rated together with CFDs, on the CFD/FX side. StocksStocks eToro lets you buy real assets that you own outright. Switch the comparison to Stocks to rate it on that. Regulated in your country eToro is allowed by FCA to onboard clients residing in the UK.
eToro review ›
80CFD/FXOverall score eToro scores 80/100 for CFD/FX trading. The overall score is calculated from the data in this comparison across 12 areas. 83StocksOverall score eToro scores 83/100 for stock investing. The overall score is calculated from the data in this comparison across 12 areas.
Open Account

61% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Below content does not apply to US users.

Best for

What we compare A comparison of the kinds of traders CMC Markets and eToro are best suited to, based on what each one actually offers in United Kingdom.
1 / 12

CMC Markets is better than eToro for scalpers and algo traders. Both are a good fit for long-term investors, high-volume traders and swing traders.

Best for
Overall score CMC Markets 84 Best 78 -5 eToro 80 -4 83 Best
Day trading i
Long-term investing i
Professional traders i
High-volume traders i
Scalpers i
Swing traders i
News traders i
Algo traders i
Stock traders i
Crypto traders i
Futures traders i
Options traders i

Regulation

What we compare A comparison between the financial authorities that supervise CMC Markets and the ones that supervise eToro.
2 / 12

CMC Markets and eToro are both regulated in the UK, by the FCA.

Regulation
Section score CMC Markets 100 100 eToro 100 100
Tier-1 regulators
ESMA (European Union) i
FCA (United Kingdom) i
ASIC (Australia) i
CFTC (United States) i
NFA (United States) i
SEC (United States) i
CIRO (Canada) i
MAS (Singapore) i
SFC (Hong Kong) i
JFSA (Japan) i
FINMA (Switzerland) i
Tier-2 regulators
FMA (New Zealand) i
CBR (Russia) i
FSCA (South Africa) i
DFSA (Dubai) i
CSRC (China) i
ISA (Israel) i
LFSA (Malaysia) i
JSC (Jordan) i
CMA (Kenya) i
Tier-3 regulators
FSA (Seychelles) i
MMA (Maldives) i
SCB (Bahamas) i
FSC (Mauritius) i
VFSC (Vanuatu) i
FSC (Belize) i
CIMA (Cayman Islands) i
SV FSA (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) i
FSRC (St. Kitts & Nevis) i
BMA (Bermuda) i
BVI FSC (British Virgin Islands) i
EDR (External Dispute Resolution) i

Safety

What we compare A comparison of the tools and services that CMC Markets and eToro have in place to protect your money in United Kingdom.
3 / 12

Both CMC Markets and eToro offer segregated client funds and an investor compensation scheme. CMC Markets also offers additional money insurance.

Safety
Section score CMC Markets 95 Best 95 Best eToro 85 -10 85 -10
Company info
Is it publicly traded i
Is it a bank i
Year founded i 1989 2007
Parent company i CMC Markets plc eToro Group Ltd.
CEO i Peter Cruddas Yoni Assia
Money safety
Segregated client funds i
Two-factor authentication i
Investor compensation scheme i
Additional money insurance i
Partner bank i NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds BNY Mellon, EquiLend
Brand power
Number of customers worldwide i 1,000,000 3,610,000
Annual revenue i USD 324,700,000 USD 1,340,000,000
Monthly website search traffic i 10.5M monthly visits 13.2M monthly visits

Costs

What we compare A comparison of what it costs to trade with CMC Markets and with eToro in United Kingdom, both on each trade and on holding the account.
4 / 12

CMC Markets is better than eToro for CFD/FX costs, given that CMC Markets is cheaper on EUR/USD, at 7 USD per lot (against eToro's 11.6 USD), has tighter S&P 500 CFD spreads, at 0.5 points (against eToro's 1.08 points), and has tighter gold CFD spreads, at 0.2 points (against eToro's 0.88 points). Neither CMC Markets nor eToro charges account maintenance fees or deposit fees.

eToro is better than CMC Markets for real stock costs, since eToro does not charge inactivity fees, unlike CMC Markets. Neither CMC Markets nor eToro charges account maintenance fees or deposit fees.

Costs
Section score CMC Markets 73 Best 44 -38 eToro 52 -21 82 Best
Broker fees
Deposit fees i
Withdrawal fees i
Overnight fees i
Inactivity fees i
Currency conversion fees i
Discounts on volume i
Real time market data fee i
Dividend withholding i
Account opening fees i
Account maintenance fee i
Portfolio management fee i
Fees on CFDs
Forex commission per lot i USD 5 Free
EUR/USD average standard spread i
0.7 pips
1.16 pips
EUR/USD average raw spread i
EUR/USD average fixed spread i
EUR/USD total cost per lot i USD 7 USD 11.6
S&P 500 fees (CFD) i 0.5 points 1.08 points
Gold fees (CFD) i 0.2 points 0.88 points
Bitcoin fees (CFD) i USD 1,585.8
US stocks fees (CFD) i USD 0.02
Fees on stocks
Stock fee type i Free
US stocks fees (real) i Free
ETF fees (real) i Free
Management costs i
Connection costs i
Fees on futures
Futures fees per contract i
Platform fees i
Fees on options
Options fees per contract i Free
Event fees i
Fees on savings plans
IRA opening fee i
IRA maintenance fee i
401k opening fee i
401k maintenance fee i

Available markets

What we compare A comparison of the markets and products you can trade with CMC Markets and with eToro in United Kingdom, and of how many instruments each one gives access to.
5 / 12

eToro is better than CMC Markets for CFD/FX markets, because eToro lets you own crypto outright, which CMC Markets does not. Both CMC Markets and eToro offer CFDs on commodities, forex, indices and stocks, and let you own ETFs and stocks outright.

eToro is better than CMC Markets for real stock markets, as eToro lets you own crypto outright, which CMC Markets does not. Both CMC Markets and eToro let you own ETFs and stocks outright, and offer CFDs on commodities, forex, indices and stocks.

Available markets
Section score CMC Markets 65 -10 30 -25 eToro 75 Best 55 Best
Total tradable symbols i 12,000 5,461
Currency pairs i
Indices i
Commodities i
Stocks i
ETF i
Cryptocurrencies i
Bonds i
Interest rates i
Portfolios i
CFDs i Commodities, Forex, Indices, Stocks Commodities, Forex, Indices, Stocks
Futures i
Options i
Assets you can own i ETF, Stocks Crypto, ETF, Stocks

Platform

What we compare A comparison of the trading platforms that CMC Markets and eToro make available to their clients in United Kingdom.
6 / 12

CMC Markets is better than eToro for platforms, because CMC Markets offers MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4 and TradingView, which eToro does not. Both CMC Markets and eToro offer a proprietary platform and social trading.

Platform
Section score CMC Markets 97 Best 97 Best eToro 84 -13 84 -13
Proprietary platform i
MetaTrader 4 i
MetaTrader 5 i
cTrader i
Social trading platform i
Copy trading platform i
ZuluTrade i
TradingView i
Duplitrade i
Mirror Trader i
NinjaTrader i
AutoChartist i
Real time pricing i
5 digit pricing i
One-click trading i

Mobile

What we compare A comparison of the mobile apps of CMC Markets and eToro in United Kingdom, and of what each one lets you do from your phone.
7 / 12

eToro is better than CMC Markets for mobile trading, given that eToro offers a social trading app, a copy trading app and mobile trading signals, which CMC Markets does not. CMC Markets and eToro both offer a proprietary mobile app and mobile price alerts.

Mobile
Section score CMC Markets 73 -14 73 -14 eToro 87 Best 87 Best
Proprietary app i
Social trading app i
Copy trading app i
MetaTrader 4 app i
MetaTrader 5 app i
cTrader app i
Mobile trading signals i
Mobile alerts i
Mobile charting tools i
Mobile drawing tools i
Mobile watchlist i
Smartwatch app i

Trading features

What we compare A comparison of the trading tools and strategies that CMC Markets and eToro allow on their platforms in United Kingdom.
8 / 12

CMC Markets is better than eToro for CFD/FX trading features, as CMC Markets allows for scalping, automated trading and hedging. CMC Markets and eToro both offer negative balance protection and trailing stops.

eToro is better than CMC Markets for real stock trading features, given that eToro offers fractional shares, which CMC Markets does not. CMC Markets and eToro both offer trailing stops.

Trading features
Section score CMC Markets 69 Best 71 -5 eToro 60 -9 76 Best
Trade execution
Broker type i Agency Agency
Average execution time i 9 ms
Slippage occurrence i
Requotes occurrence i 0.08%
Tier-1 liquidity providers i
PFOF i
Leverage
Major FX pairs leverage i 30:1 30:1
Minor/Exotic FX pairs leverage i 20:1 20:1
Major indices leverage i 20:1 20:1
Minor indices leverage i 10:1 10:1
Gold leverage i 20:1 20:1
Commodities leverage i 10:1 10:1
Equities leverage i 5:1 5:1
Cryptocurrency leverage i
Risk management
Stop losses i
Take profits i
Limit orders i
Trailing stop i
Margin call i
OCO orders i
Guaranteed stop loss i
Negative balance protection i
Minimum trade size (FX) i 0.01 lots 0.01 lots
Minimum trade size (stocks) i USD 0 USD 10
Fractional stocks i
Trading compliance
Scalping strategies allowed i
Hedging strategies allowed i
Automated trading strategy allowed i
EAs use allowed i
HFT strategy allowed i
VPS use allowed i
API use allowed i
Price scraping allowed i
FIFO rule applies i

Account types

What we compare A comparison of the kinds of account you can open at CMC Markets and at eToro in United Kingdom, and of who each one is meant for.
9 / 12

There is little between CMC Markets and eToro on CFD/FX account types, as both offer a demo account and a professional traders account. CMC Markets has a slight edge, as it offers a spread betting account.

eToro is better than CMC Markets for real stock account types, since eToro offers a stock investing account, which CMC Markets does not. Both CMC Markets and eToro offer a demo account and a corporate account.

Account types
Section score CMC Markets 48 45 -29 eToro 48 74 Best
Demo account i
Unlimited demo account i
Standard account i
Micro account i
Cent account i
Nano account i
Raw spread account i
ECN account i
Swap-free account i
Islamic account i
Professional traders account i
Fixed spread account i
Spread betting account i
Copy trading account i
Corporate account i
Managed account i
Stock investing account i
Margin investing account i
Savings account i
Retirement account i

Account opening

What we compare A comparison of what it takes to open and fund an account with CMC Markets and with eToro in United Kingdom.
10 / 12

CMC Markets is better than eToro for account opening, because CMC Markets does not require a minimum deposit (against eToro's 100 USD), offers 2 account base currencies (against eToro's 1), and has no minimum withdrawal (against eToro's 30 USD). Both CMC Markets and eToro offer credit cards and debit cards.

Account opening
Section score CMC Markets 65 Best 65 Best eToro 59 -6 59 -6
Minimum deposit i USD 0 USD 100
Minimum withdrawal i USD 0 USD 30
Wire transfers i
Credit cards i
Debit cards i
eWallets i
Local payment methods i
Account base currencies i EUR, USD USD
Deposit waiting time i up to 2 business days up to 5 business days
Withdrawal waiting time i up to 2 business days up to 7 business days
Bonus program i

Customer care

What we compare A comparison of the customer support of CMC Markets and eToro in United Kingdom, in how it can be reached and how fast it answers.
11 / 12

CMC Markets is better than eToro for customer care, as CMC Markets offers customer support in 9 languages (against eToro's 7), has a website in 9 languages (against eToro's 7), and offers phone support, which eToro does not. Both CMC Markets and eToro offer a dedicated account manager and priority support.

Customer care
Section score CMC Markets 73 Best 73 Best eToro 69 -4 69 -4
Number of languages supported i 9 7
Website languages i German, English, French, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, Chinese Arabic, German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese
Website available in English i
Customer support languages i German, English, French, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, Chinese Arabic, German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese
Customer support in English i
Call back request i
Email support i
Phone support i
Live chat i
Priority customer support i
Dedicated account manager i
Cash sweep i
Stock lending i
Distributes proceeds i
Tax withholding agent i
Tax assistance i

Learning

What we compare A comparison of the educational material that CMC Markets and eToro provide to their clients in United Kingdom.
12 / 12

CMC Markets and eToro are equally good for learning, as both offer education for advanced traders and webinars.

Learning
Section score CMC Markets 100 100 eToro 100 100
Education
Education center i
Education for beginners i
Education for advanced traders i
Webinars i
Tutorials i
Glossary i
Research
Economic calendar i
Traders' sentiment i
Daily market commentary i
Daily trading ideas i
News via social media i
Professional reports i
Watchlist i
CMC Markets
Open Account 78% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
eToro
Open Account 61% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Below content does not apply to US users.
Our verdict

CMC Markets vs eToro: which one should you choose?

CMC Markets

CFD/FX Choose CMC Markets if you want a CFD and forex broker with low trading costs, no minimum deposit and a wide choice of markets.

Stocks Choose CMC Markets if you want a share dealing service with no minimum deposit, a wide choice of markets and several trading platforms.

Open Account 78% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
eToro

CFD/FX Choose eToro if you want an online CFD broker.

Stocks Choose eToro if you want a broker for securities investing with commission-free US stocks and crypto to own outright.

Open Account 61% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Below content does not apply to US users.

Other popular comparisons

Below are other head-to-head comparisons that include CMC Markets or eToro, each scored with the same data and method as this page.

CMC Markets vs Plus500 eToro vs XM CMC Markets vs Oanda Charles Schwab vs eToro CMC Markets vs XTB eToro vs Robinhood

Select your language