FBS vs CMC Markets: Fees, Features, Safety & More for 2024

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FBS and CMC Markets are Forex and CFD brokers offering online trading services to traders and investors worldwide. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier regulatory authorities. FBS is regulated by two tier-1 jurisdictions and one tier-4 jurisdictions, including ASIC , FSC , CySEC. On the other hand, CMC Markets is regulated by five tier-1 jurisdictions, including FCA, MAS, ASIC, IIROC, FMA. These two brokers offer almost similar services. However, each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

In this article, we will compare FBS with CMC Markets regarding trading platforms, regulations, tradable assets, fees, customer support, and overall trading experience score. We will also explore if FBS is better than CMC Markets and vice versa. This comparison lets you understand which broker is better for your trading style and preferences.

FBS vs CMC Markets: In a Nutshell

FBS

Established in 2009, FBS is one of the leading forex and CFD brokers, offering online trading services worldwide. It is a global brand with headquarters in Belize and regional offices in Cyprus and the Marshall Islands. FBS provides opportunities for trading forex, stocks, metals, energies, and indices. It has about 17 million clients and over 60 prestigious awards for excellent services. FBS.eu offers low spreads and split-second executions without requotes. FBS is one of the highest leverage forex brokers, with leverage up to 1:3000 for its global clients. 

FBS Overview

FBS Overview
  • Founded In: 2009
  • Founder:  Satthakarn Chuenkomol
  • Headquarters: Belize City, Belize
  • Minimum Deposit: $5
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:3000
  • Regulations: ASIC, FSC, CySEC  
  • Trading platform: MT4, MT5, Webtrader
  • Account Types: Standard, Cent, Pro
  • Payment Options: VISA, MasterCard, Local Exchangers, Neteller, PerfectMoney, Skrill, SticPay
  • US Traders: Not Accepted

CMC Markets

Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a publicly traded broker (Ticker: CMCX). The broker is regulated in the UK, Australia, Canada, and Singapore. It offers over 9800 trading instruments, including Forex, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Shares & ETFs, and Commodities. There is no minimum deposit requirement on IC Markets; you may deposit as low as $1. CMC Markets allows EA trading and news trading. The broker uses the most popular trading platform, MetaTrader (MT4), as its trading platform.

CMC Markets Overview
  • Founded In: 1989
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:500
  • Regulations: ASIC
  • Trading platform: MT4 , Share trading platforms
  • Account Types: SPREAD BETTING, Fx Active, CFD Trading
  • Payment Options: Bank Wire (BankTransfer/SWIFT), VISA, MasterCard
  • US Traders: Not Accept

FBS vs : CMC Markets Features

FBS:

  • Trading Instruments: Forex, Stock, Indices, Crypto, Metals, Energies, Forex Exotic.
  • Maximum leverage: 1:3000
  • Minimum Deposit: $5
  • Account Types: Three ( Standard, Cent, Pro) 
  • Trading Fees: Spread starting from 1 pip for Standard Account and Cent Account
  • PAMM/ MAM: Not available 
  • Scalping: Allowed 
  • News Trading: Allowed
  • EA/ Robot Trading: Allowed

CMC Markets

  • Trading Instruments: 12000+ trading instruments including forex, indices, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, Shares, Share baskets, Treasuries, etc 
  • Maximum leverage:  Up to 30:1 ( FCA, ASIC), up to 1:50 (IIROC), and up to 500:1 for a professional account.
  • Minimum Deposit: No Minimum Deposit. However, Pepperstone recommends $200 or equivalent for the margin requirement. 
  • Account Types: Three (Spread Betting Account, CFD Account, Corporate Account)
  • Trading Fees: only Spread is charged (Commission is only for Shares account). Variable spreads from 0.3 pips. A rollover commission is applied on open positions overnight. For the Shares account commission starts from $7. 
  • PAMM/ MAM:  Not Available 
  • Scalping: Allowed 
  • News Trading: Allowed
  • EA/ Robot Trading: Allowed

FBS vs CMC Markets: Pros and Cons

FBS

Pros
  • Regulated by the CySEC, ASIC, FSCA South Africa, and FSC Belize.
  • The Maximum Leverage is as high as 1:3000
  • The Minimum deposit is $5 
  • Trading is on the MT4, MT5, and FBS trader platforms.
  • There is an account type to suit newbies, experienced, and pro traders.
  • Low spreads, high leverage, and fast order executions
  • Easy and fast account opening
  • Forex Guidebook, Forex Intensive, trading ideas, webinars, and other training resources are provided.
Cons
  • Tradable assets are not much, especially when compared to other top brokers.
  • Daily Market news and analysis on FBS.eu are not regularly updated.
  • No premium trading tools to assist traders.
  • No investor protection for non-EU Clients 
  • Managed Accounts & Social Trading is unavailable 
  • Few Account Base Currencies

CMC Markets

Pros
  • Regulated by FCA, ASIC, IIROC, MAS, FMA
  • Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is publicly traded company
  • The minimum deposit is as low as $1 
  • Comparatively low spread starting from 0.7 pips
  • Allows news trading, EA/Robot trading
  • Extensive range of tradable assets 
  • Excellent education and research resources
Cons
  • Offered only MT4, no MT5, cTrader trading platforms 
  • Maximum leverage is only 1:300
  •  No passive investment programme or social trading platforms ( No PAMM, MAM accounts) 
  •  Does not accept US clients
  • Only CFD Trading 
  • High CFD spreads for certain Indices 
  • Spread betting only for UK residents

FBS vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Comparison

FBS
CMC Markets
Product
Product
FBS
CMC Markets
Founded In
Founded In
2009
1989
Founded By
Founded By
Satthakarn Chuenkomol
Peter Andrew Cruddas, Baron Cruddas
Headquarters
Headquarters
Belize, Belize
London, United Kingdom
Regulations
Regulations
FSC, Cysec, ASIC
FCA, ASIC, BaFin, IIROC, FMA, MAS
Min Deposit
Min Deposit
5$ ($5 for global Clients, $10 for EU Clients)
None
Max Leverage
Max Leverage
1:3000
1:500
Tradable Assets
Tradable Assets
Forex, stocks, indices, metals, and energies.
Forex Major, Forex Crosses, Forex Minor, Metals, Oil , CFD, Stock indices
Fees
Fees
Spread from 0.7 pips
Spread starting from 0.3 pips or commission $10
Platforms and Tools
Platforms and Tools
MT4, MT5, Webtrader, Meta Tader Multiterminal, VPS, Economic Calendar
MT4 , Share trading platforms
US Traders
US Traders
Not Allowed
Not Allow

FBS Vs CMC Markets: Our Scores and Ratings

We rated both brokers, FBS and CMC Markets, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 0.1 increments. To achieve a comprehensive rating, we broadly grouped all services offered by brokers into 6 macro categories and assigned percentage weights to them. Each macro category is subdivided into several data points which contributes to the total score of 1.0-10.0 assigned to each macro category. Since all categories are not equally important, our weight percentage plays a significant role in assessing the broker accurately. For example, Regulation and Security contributes a total weight of 40% to the whole ratings because this is the most important rating category. To learn more, read our methodology.

FBS :

8.8
Total Score
Regulation and Security (40%)9.6
Fees and Commissions (20%)9.4
Trading (15%)8
Trading tools (10%)5
Customer Support (10%)9.5
Trading Education (5%)9.5

CMC Markets

9.0
CMC Markets Score
Regulation and Security (40%)9.7
Fees and Commissions (20%)8
Trading (15%)9
Trading tools (10%)8
Customer Support (10%)9.5
Trading Education (5%)9

FBS vs CMC Markets: Which One is Better?

Now the question comes: is FBS better than CMC Markets, or vice versa? The answer depends on traders’ and investors’ trading styles and preferences. Both FBS and CMC Markets offer similar trading services worldwide. However, there are differences in their features,  regulations, reputation, and operations. Here are the key facts about both brokers. By reviewing these options, you can clearly understand which broker is right for your trading goals

FBS :

  • FBS is a Forex and CFD broker regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and FSC in Belize
  • The minimum deposit is $5 (Global), €10 (or equivalent in $) for EU cent accounts, €100 (or equivalent in $) for EU Standard account 
  • Maximum leverage 1:3000 (Global), 1:30 (for EU retail clients), 1:500 (for professional accounts)
  • Offers a variety of trading platforms including MT4, MT5, Webtrader, and FBS traders. 
  • The trading fee: Floating spread from 0.7 pips(global), and 1 pips for EU traders. 
  • FBS does not accept US clients. 

CMC Markets:

  • CMC Markets is a forex and CFD broker regulated by FCA, FMA, CIRO, MAS, ASIC (Exceeded), BaFIN (exceeded), AMF(Exceeded), 
  • Minimum Deposit: $0, No minimum deposit required. You may deposit as low as $1 
  • Maximum leverage 1:30 (for retail clients), 1:500 (for professional accounts)
  • Offers Spread betting account for the Clients of UK only. 
  • Offers MT4, FX Active Trader, MT4 Premium Add-ons, Autochartist, VPS, Automated Trading, MT4 Academy
  • The trading fee: spreads starting from 0.3 pips for CFD, and Corporate account. $7 commission for shares account only
  • CMC Markets does not accept US Clients. 

Our score for FBS is 8.8, and for CMC Markets it is 9.0.

Written by

Jason Paine is a forex trader, researcher, and tech enthusiast. He is passionate about financial markets and cutting-edge technology. With a dynamic 16-year trading career, he's on a mission to guide fellow traders. Having navigated diverse forex brokers, Jason shares his insights at Brokersway to bridge the gap between traders and the right brokerage.

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