IronFX vs CMC Markets

IronFX or CMC Markets – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare IronFX and CMC Markets in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

IronFX vs CMC Markets Comparison Table 2025
IronFX CMC Markets
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3.8
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4.7
IronFX is ranked #37 among CFD brokers. CMC Markets is ranked #3 among CFD brokers.
IronFX, established in 2010, is a highly regulated broker specialising in forex and CFDs. This acclaimed company provides access to over 500 markets for more than 1.5 million clients in 180 countries. Traders benefit from multiple account options with competitive rates via the MT4 platform, alongside 24/5 customer support available in 30 languages. 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.
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
  • In addition to MT4, the broker also provides various services such as copy trading, a VPS solution, and PAMM/MAM accounts.
  • IronFX offers both fixed and floating spread accounts, appealing to novices and seasoned traders alike.
  • Traders gain access to the renowned Trading Central research tool, featuring automated AI analytics and round-the-clock support.
  • IronFX is a well-established firm regulated by respected authorities such as the CySEC, FCA, and FSCA.
  • The broker regularly hosts trading competitions with cash rewards and provides welcome bonuses for new clients.
  • The IronFX Academy provides outstanding educational resources for traders of all levels, from beginners to advanced.
  • The CMC web platform offers an exceptional user experience with sophisticated charting tools for trading and customisable options, suitable for both novice and seasoned traders. It supports MT4 but not MT5, and TradingView will be available from 2025.
  • We've upgraded the 'Assets & Markets' rating due to frequent product enhancements in early 2025. These include extended trading hours for US stocks and the introduction of new share CFDs.
  • CMC provides competitive pricing with narrow spreads and low trading fees, except for stock CFDs. The Alpha and Price+ programmes offer additional benefits for active traders, including discounts on spreads of up to 40%.
  • CMC Markets is well-regulated by respected financial authorities, ensuring a secure and reliable trading environment. It upholds a strong reputation, providing traders with confidence.
  • The brokerage excels with an extensive array of valuable resources, such as pattern recognition scanners, webinars, tutorials, news feeds, and research from reputable sources like Morningstar.
Cons
  • It is unfortunate that the broker lacks advanced software options like MT5 or TradingView, restricting choice for seasoned traders.
  • Commissions in zero-spread accounts begin at £13.50 per lot, almost twice the industry standard.
  • In comparison to top brokers, IronFX provides a limited range of share CFDs.
  • Although there have been improvements, the online platform still needs further refinement to match the user-friendly trading experience offered by competitors such as IG.
  • CMC provides a robust range of assets; however, it does not support trading actual stocks, and UK clients are unable to trade cryptocurrencies.
  • Trading stock CFDs comes with a relatively high commission, particularly when compared to low-cost brokers such as IC Markets.
  • A monthly inactivity charge of $10 is imposed after a year's inactivity, potentially discouraging occasional traders.
  • The CMC Markets app provides a comprehensive trading package; however, its design and user experience lag behind market leaders such as eToro.
Awards
  • Best Online Trading Platform (2019)
  • Best Broker of the Year (2019)
  • Most Trustworthy Forex Broker Global (2019)
  • Best Online Trading & Financial Services Company (2020)
  • Best Online Forex Trading Platform (2021)
  • International Online Currency Trading Platform of the Year (2021)
  • Most Outstanding Online Trading Partners Program (2022)
  • Best Trading App 2023 - DayTrading.com
  • No.1 Platform Technology 2022
  • No.1 New Tool 2022
  • No.1 Most Currency Pairs 2022
  • Best Trade Execution 2021
  • Best Forex Broker For Beginners 2021
  • Most Transparent Forex Broker Europe 2020
  • Best Trading Platform 2020
  • Best Trading App 2019
  • Best Customer Service 2018
FCA Regulated
Yes Yes
Instruments
Forex, Indices, Shares, Futures, Commodities, Metals (all CFDs) CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$100 $0
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
CySEC, FCA, FSCA, BMA / Bermuda FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA
Mobile Apps
Android, iOS, WebTrader 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.
iOS App Rating
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2.1
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4.1
Android App Rating
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2.5
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3.7
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
Margin Rate
1%
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
No No
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No Yes
Autochartist
Yes No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
Yes No
STP Account
Yes No
ECN Account
Yes No
DMA Account
No No
MAM Account
Yes No
PAMM Account
Yes No
LAMM Account
Yes No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
Yes Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
Yes Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader
Copy Trading
Yes No
Copy Trading Platform
The TradeCopier service enables aspiring investors to mirror the strategies of leading traders instantly. This tool offers novices an opportunity to learn from seasoned investors, while strategy providers have the potential to earn performance fees.
Social Trading
Yes Yes
Trade Signals
Yes Yes
VPS Hosting
Yes Yes
Tournaments
Yes No
Demo Competitions
No Yes
Ethical Investing
No No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No Yes
Inactivity Fee
3% $10
Islamic Account
Yes Yes
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • PLN
  • CZK
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • SEK
  • NOK
  • SGD
  • PLN
Commodities
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Copper
  • Corn
  • Cotton
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
  • Oil
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Platinum
  • Palladium
  • Gold
  • Oil
  • Silver
  • Copper
  • Coffee
  • Wheat
  • Precious Metals
  • Natural Gas
  • Soybeans
  • Orange Juice
  • Nickel
  • Palladium
  • Steel
  • Cannabis
  • Platinum
  • Livestock
  • Sugar
  • Gasoline
CFD
IronFX offers over 300 instruments across forex, equities, commodities, and index CFDs. Leverage varies from 1:30 to 1:1000, based on the trader's account location. Exceptional technical analysis tools are available, featuring 30 built-in indicators and 9 different chart time frames. 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 (FCA), 1:30 (CySEC), 1:500 (FSCA), 1:1000 (BM) 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
FTSE Spread
140 1 pt
GBPUSD Spread<
0.8 0.9
Oil Spread
3 3.5
Stocks Spread
Variable 0.02
Forex
IronFX provides a robust choice of 80 currency pairs for traders. Utilise the market-leading MT4 platform, which includes various forex research tools. However, be aware that commission fees in zero-spread accounts are steep, starting at $13.50 per lot. 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.
Assets
80+ 300+
GBPUSD Spread
0.8 0.9
EURUSD Spread
0.7 0.7
EURGBP Spread
0.9 1.1
Currency Indices
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • JPY
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • CHF
IronFX CMC Markets
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.
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