Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CMC Invest vs Lightyear
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CMC Invest |  Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | £0 | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Jisa | Corporate |
| Interest on cash | 3.69%Higher | 2.42% |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.35% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free bank transfers in and out |
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Key differences
- Markets: only Lightyear offers Crypto, Bonds.
- Account types: only CMC Invest offers ISA, SIPP, Jisa.
- Account types: only Lightyear offers Corporate.
- Interest on cash is higher at CMC Invest: 3.69% vs 2.42%.
- Features: only CMC Invest offers Mobile app.
- Features: only Lightyear offers Crypto.
- Pricing model: only CMC Invest offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only Lightyear offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
CMC Invest
CMC Invest trades breadth for focus, centring on long term portfolio building rather than wide speculative coverage. It is an investment platform for investors who want shares, ETFs, trusts and funds with guides and consolidated management in one place.
Lightyear
Lightyear suits you if you want stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto in a place with clear upkeep costs and email based help. Your stock trades cost $1, account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0 while cover reaches EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Score breakdown
| Area | CMC Invest | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4Higher | 9.1Upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 with trades at $1 |
| Offer | 9.3Higher | 8.8Covers stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares and crypto access for varied plans |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.7Cover through EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 alongside Estonian supervision for reassurance |
Pick CMC Invest if, pick Lightyear if
Pick CMC Invest if cost, offer, and interest on cash matter most.
Pick Lightyear if markets matter most.
What each covers
| Markets | CMC Invest | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | CMC Invest | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No |
| SIPP | Yes | No |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
| Jisa | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | CMC Invest | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 283 of 471 | 39 of 471 |
Where these facts come from
CMC Invest
- cmcmarkets.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Lightyear
- lightyear.com: 12 facts, checked September 29, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CMC Invest | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | CMC Invest | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | €1 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CMC Invest | Lightyear | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0at the median | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €0below the median | €2.45 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.35%below the median | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | 3.69%highest quarter | 2.42%below the median | 3% |
Median across 52 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CMC Invest
Pros
- Covers shares, ETFs, investment trusts and funds in one place
- Supports transfers that consolidate existing long term holdings together
- Provides guides that explain core accounts and stock price moves
Cons
- Range stays around shares and managed allocations rather than wider speculation
- Learning guides assume basic knowledge before reading deeper detail
Lightyear
Pros
- Account upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 keep quiet months calm
- You can hold stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares available for smaller positions
- You can begin from €1, below many peers, with cash interest at 2.42%
Cons
- Stock trades at $1 look pricey beside ActivTrades at $0 for frequent equity orders
- Currency conversion at 0.35% adds cost when you trade outside your base currency
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so you use email and help centre without phone or chat
Who each suits
CMC Invest
Who it suits
- Long term investors wanting consolidated holdings
- Parents planning for a child future
- Learners seeking plain investment explanations
Who should look elsewhere
- Speculators seeking broad speculative instruments
Lightyear
Who it suits
- You want upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 and prefer XTB only if ticket fees matter more
- You seek stocks, ETFs and crypto from modest sums starting at €1 rather than eToro style ranged pricing
Who should look elsewhere
- You trade stocks very often and want ticket fees of $0 from ActivTrades rather than fees of $1
- You want phone or chat help rather than help on email and help centre, so XTB may suit you better
Questions about each
CMC Invest
Which accounts does CMC Invest offer?+
CMC Invest offers a Cash ISA, a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA, a Junior ISA, a Self Invested Personal Pension and a general investment account. You can view those structures side by side within one platform. Transfers into the platform carry conditions that shape eligibility.
What can investors hold through CMC Invest?+
CMC Invest covers shares, ETFs, investment trusts and funds alongside managed allocation choices. The range supports individual company selection and broad exposure across markets, sectors and themes. Listed portfolios shaped around specialist strategies also feature in the choice.
Lightyear
What will I pay to trade stocks and keep the account open?+
Stock orders carry fees of $1. Account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0. Currency conversion applies at 0.35% when your trade currency differs from your account currency.
Who regulates Lightyear and where can I check it?+
Lightyear names Estonian Financial Supervision Authority and Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) as its supervisors. Oversight sits in Estonia under MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54. You can check the licence details on the relevant public register before you fund an account.
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