CMC Markets vs Pocket Option
CMC Markets or Pocket Option – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare CMC Markets and Pocket Option in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.
CMC Markets | Pocket Option |
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CMC Markets is ranked #3 among CFD brokers. | Pocket Option is ranked #1 among binary options brokers. |
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a reputable broker publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange. It holds authorisation from top-tier regulators such as the FCA, ASIC, and CIRO. The brokerage, which has received multiple awards, boasts a global membership exceeding one million traders. | Founded in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker providing high/low contracts for forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Attracting more than 100,000 active users worldwide, the platform remains a favourite among emerging traders. |
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting and/or trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. | |
Pros | |
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Cons | |
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Awards | |
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FCA Regulated | |
Yes | No |
Instruments | |
CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting | Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos |
Bonus | |
50% Deposit Bonus | |
Demo Account | |
Yes | Yes |
Minimum Deposit | |
$0 | $50 |
Payment Methods | |
Minimum Trade | |
0.01 Lots | $1 |
Regulator | |
FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA | MISA |
Mobile Apps | |
iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
Trading App | |
CMC Markets' award-winning app has revolutionised mobile trading. Its modern, customisable interface provides a unique user experience that sets it apart. Enhanced with 25 technical indicators, 15 drawing tools, and a swift, stable trading platform, it is an outstanding option for traders. | Pocket Option offers a superb trading experience on mobile and tablet browsers, negating the need for a native app. Charts are customisable via top settings, and trades can be executed effortlessly with one-click 'higher' and 'lower' options at the screen's base. The interface adjusts smoothly to horizontal viewing, aligning with the desktop layout for consistency. |
iOS App Rating | |
Android App Rating | |
Margin Trading | |
Yes | Yes |
Margin Rate | |
1% | |
MetaTrader 4 | |
Yes | Yes |
MetaTrader 5 | |
No | Yes |
cTrader | |
No | No |
AlgoTrader | |
No | No |
OmniTrader | |
No | No |
TradingView | |
Yes | No |
Autochartist | |
No | No |
eSignal | |
No | No |
Trading Central | |
No | No |
STP Account | |
No | No |
ECN Account | |
No | No |
DMA Account | |
No | No |
MAM Account | |
No | No |
PAMM Account | |
No | No |
LAMM Account | |
No | No |
Demat Account | |
No | No |
AI / Machine Learning | |
No | Yes |
Robo Advisor | |
No | No |
Negative Balance Protection | |
Yes | No |
Market Maker | |
Yes | No |
P2P Trading | |
No | No |
Spot Trading | |
Yes | Yes |
Auto Trading | |
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | Yes |
Copy Trading | |
No | Yes |
Copy Trading Platform | |
Pocket Option offers an intuitive social trading platform. Here, you can explore the 'Top Ranked Trades' leaderboard and more to discover traders to follow. This service is accessible around the clock and includes vibrant community chats. Advice: assess traders by analysing trade volume and profits over months, instead of a few days. | |
Social Trading | |
Yes | Yes |
Trade Signals | |
Yes | Yes |
VPS Hosting | |
Yes | No |
Tournaments | |
No | Yes |
Demo Competitions | |
Yes | No |
Ethical Investing | |
No | No |
Custodial Account | |
No | No |
Guaranteed Stop Loss | |
Yes | No |
Inactivity Fee | |
$10 | $0 |
Islamic Account | |
Yes | No |
Account Currencies | |
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Commodities | |
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CFD | |
CMC enables trading of CFDs on over 12,000 assets, including currencies, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and treasuries. In 2025, new equities will feature sectors like quantum computing, AI learning, and digital car sales. Enjoy competitive spreads without hidden fees, and leverage the renowned MetaTrader 4 platform. Consistently, CMC stands out as a leading CFD broker. | |
Leverage | |
1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | |
FTSE Spread | |
1 pt | |
GBPUSD Spread< | |
0.9 | |
Oil Spread | |
3.5 | |
Stocks Spread | |
0.02 | |
Forex | |
CMC offers a broad selection of over 300 forex pairs, featuring tight spreads and quick execution. This exceeds many competitors in currency variety. Their forex indices provide a distinctive and comprehensive method to speculate on major currencies such as USD, EUR, and GBP. | You can trade binary and OTC options on over 40 currency pairs, or more than 55 pairs if you deposit £1,000 or more. Payouts typically reach a fair 81%, and with a minimum trade of just £1, this broker is ideal for novice traders. Additionally, the MT4 and MT5 platforms are available for those with more trading experience. |
Assets | |
300+ | 55+ |
GBPUSD Spread | |
0.9 | N/A |
EURUSD Spread | |
0.7 | N/A |
EURGBP Spread | |
1.1 | N/A |
Currency Indices | |
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Cryptocurrency | |
CMC Markets provides trading opportunities with popular digital currencies such as Bitcoin. However, it excels in offering crypto indices, granting broader market exposure. With minimal slippage and an impressive 99.9% fill rate, CMC is an excellent choice for active traders in the cryptocurrency sector. | Pocket Option provides a limited selection of cryptocurrencies, featuring over 10 digital coins like Bitcoin and more than 65 tokens for those depositing £1000. The platform's built-in analytics tool assists traders in identifying potential trades, and its daily signals service simplifies the process of seizing short-term crypto opportunities. |
Spread | |
From 1.3 | N/A |
Coins | |
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Crypto Lending | |
No | No |
Crypto Mining | |
No | No |
Crypto Staking | |
No | No |
Auto Market Maker | |
No | No |
Binary Options | |
Pocket Option provides ultra-short-term contracts, starting from just 5 seconds, on an intuitive platform ideal for novice traders. Payout rates exceed 90%, comparable with competitors, and the 'Double Up' and 'Rollover' functions enable additional earning possibilities. On the downside, its range of over 130 assets is less extensive than that of brokers such as Quotex, which offer more than 400 options. | |
Payout | |
92% | |
Expiration Times | |
5 seconds - 4 hours | |
Boundary Options | |
No | No |
Ladder Options | |
No | No |
CMC Markets | Pocket Option |
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting and/or trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. | |
More Comparisons | |
CMC Markets vs |
Pocket Option vs |