Capital.com vs CMC Markets 2026
Two licensed kitchens. Which table you take comes down to how you trade.
Pull up a chair at Capital.com if you value no inactivity fee. CMC Markets plates up better for anyone who leans on tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $20), real stock ownership, more instruments (12,000 vs 6,800).
The two menus, side by side
| Capital.com | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 793714 | FCA 173730 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $20 | None |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Instruments | 6,800+ | 12,000+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | No, CFDs only | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/mo after 12mo |
| Founded | 2016 | 1989 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | London, UK |
The kitchen inspection: Capital.com vs CMC Markets
Capital.com is regulated by FCA under licence 793714 (Capital Com (UK) 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.
Ingredient costs and the bill
Capital.com'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.
Capital.com does not charge an inactivity fee. CMC Markets charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months.
Platforms and tools
Both Capital.com and CMC Markets support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
The cover charge
Capital.com requires a minimum deposit of $20. 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?
Both Capital.com and CMC Markets support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. 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.
The verdict: Capital.com vs CMC Markets
Book a table at Capital.com if what you are after is no inactivity fee. Its FCA licence (793714) brings the full weight of a tier-1 seal.
Go with CMC Markets if you want tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $20), real stock ownership, more instruments (12,000 vs 6,800). Its FCA licence (173730) means solid tier-1 protection.
Neither kitchen is a bad one; both hold real licences. In the end it is your own trading appetite that picks the table.
Frequently asked questions
Capital.com vs CMC Markets: which is better?
Capital.com is better for no inactivity fee. CMC Markets is better for tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $20), real stock ownership, more instruments (12,000 vs 6,800). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is Capital.com or CMC Markets safer?
Both Capital.com (FCA 793714) and CMC Markets (FCA 173730) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for Capital.com and CMC Markets?
Capital.com minimum deposit: $20. CMC Markets minimum deposit: None. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do Capital.com and CMC Markets have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.