Updated October 14, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CMC Markets vs Trade Nation
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CMC Markets |  Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds | Forex, CFDs, Spread betting |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 48% | 57.1% |
| Platforms | CMC Markets Platform, CMC mobile app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | TN Trader |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:200 | 30:1 |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FCA |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free deposits and withdrawals |
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Key differences
- Markets: only CMC Markets offers Stocks, ETFs, Options.
- Markets: only Trade Nation offers Spread betting.
- Platforms: only CMC Markets offers CMC Markets Platform, CMC mobile app, MetaTrader 4.
- Platforms: only Trade Nation offers TN Trader.
- Features: only CMC Markets offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
CMC Markets
CMC Markets explains that leveraged trading follows price movements in underlying financial markets and amplifies both gains and losses.
Trade Nation
Trade Nation suits UK retail traders who want a regulated, no-frills CFD account with nothing to pay for holding it. The minimum deposit is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so the running cost of an idle account sits at the very bottom of our table.
Score breakdown
| Area | CMC Markets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.6Inactivity fee of $0, minimum deposit of $0 and Free deposits and withdrawals for funding, all at the cheap end. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 8.5 |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 8.6 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | CMC Markets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
Availability and regulation
| Country | CMC Markets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 525164 |
How they place
| Ranking | CMC Markets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 101 of 147 | 71 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 99 of 145 | 69 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 82 of 122 | 60 of 122 |
Sources behind this comparison
CMC Markets
- cmcmarkets.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Trade Nation
- forexrev.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradenation.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxscouts.com.au: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- safeforexbrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CMC Markets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Trade Nation Financial UK Ltd |
| Founded | 1989 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CMC Markets | Trade Nation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 48%lowest quarter | 57.1%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CMC Markets
Pros
- CMC Markets explains that leveraged trading follows price movements in underlying financial markets and amplifies both gains and losses.
- This international English disclosure does not establish regional rates, eligibility, or product availability.
Trade Nation
Pros
- Minimum deposit of $0, top of our list on deposits
- Inactivity fee of $0, also top of our list
- Free deposits and withdrawals, so moving money on and off carries no charge
Cons
- Markets are limited to forex, cfds and spread betting, so there is no share dealing alongside the CFDs
- Retail accounts that lose money stand at 57.1%, lower than most brokers on our table but still a majority
- Only one platform, TN Trader, with a mobile app as the stated feature
Who each suits
CMC Markets
Who it suits
- Readers reviewing CMC Markets’ international CFD leverage risk disclosure
Trade Nation
Who it suits
- UK traders who want an FCA regulated account with no minimum balance
- Anyone who keeps a CFD account open for months and does not want an inactivity charge
- Beginners who prefer one clear platform, TN Trader, rather than a choice
Who should look elsewhere
- Buy and hold investors, since markets run to forex, cfds and spread betting only
- Traders who want crypto, futures or options, none of which sit in forex, cfds and spread betting
- Anyone wanting several platforms, as only TN Trader is listed
Questions about each
Trade Nation
What is the minimum deposit at Trade Nation?+
The minimum deposit is $0, which is 1 of 213 brands in our table. You can open an account with a small balance and add more whenever you want. Deposits themselves carry no charge, since Free deposits and withdrawals.
Does Trade Nation charge an inactivity fee?+
The inactivity fee is $0, which puts it at 1 of 56 brands on that measure. If your account sits unused for a while, there is no monthly deduction for holding it open.
Who regulates Trade Nation and is my money protected?+
Trade Nation is regulated by the FCA, and the account runs through Trade Nation Financial UK Ltd. Investor protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000, so eligible claims are covered up to that limit if the firm fails.
What markets can I trade on Trade Nation?+
The markets list covers forex, cfds and spread betting. That is a focused set for short term and leveraged trading, but it does not include shares, ETFs, crypto, options or futures, so it suits CFD traders rather than investors.
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