Updated October 14, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CMC Markets vs XTB
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where CMC Markets and XTB differ
| Compare |  CMC Markets |  XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 48% | 77% |
| Platforms | CMC Markets Platform, CMC mobile app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | XStation 5, XStation Mobile |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:200 | 1:30 |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €10 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), FCA, KNF |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free deposits; free withdrawals above 100 EUR/USD |
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at CMC Markets: 1989 vs 2002.
- Markets: only CMC Markets offers Options, Bonds.
- Platforms: only CMC Markets offers CMC Markets Platform, CMC mobile app, MetaTrader 4.
- Platforms: only XTB offers XStation 5, XStation Mobile.
- Support channels: only CMC Markets offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only XTB offers Chat.
- Features: only XTB offers Crypto.
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.
XTB
XTB suits retail traders who want to hold stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs and crypto under one Cyprus-based account without a monthly charge. The account fee is €0, deposits cost nothing, and CySEC, FCA and KNF authorisations sit behind a legal entity founded in 2002.
Score breakdown
| Area | CMC Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.1 |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.6 | 9.6 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | CMC Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | CMC Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) MiCA CASP 259400HM2TR4U3LF5D43 |
| Poland | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | CMC Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 284 of 471 | 3 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 101 of 147 | 2 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 99 of 145 | 2 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 82 of 122 | 2 of 122 |
What we checked
CMC Markets
- cmcmarkets.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
XTB
- xtb.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- hello-brokers.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- eupersonalfinance.eu: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- linkedin.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CMC Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Demo account, Mobile app, CryptoCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | XTB Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Cyprus |
| Founded | 1989Lower | 2002 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CMC Markets | XTB | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | €0below the median | €1 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | €0below the median | €1 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0at the median | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €10above the median | €2.45 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 48%lowest quarter | 77%highest quarter | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
Median across 52 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.
XTB
Pros
- Account fee of €0 on the standard account, and stock trades cost €0.
- Minimum deposit of €0, so the account opens without a funding floor.
- Regulated by CySEC, the FCA and KNF across Cyprus, the UK and Poland.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of €10 applies, unlike eToro, which has no such charge.
- Forex and CFD trading is not cost free: fx trading costs 0.5%.
- CFDs carry a high proportion of losing retail accounts, and XTB's own figure is 77%.
Who each suits
CMC Markets
Who it suits
- Readers reviewing CMC Markets’ international CFD leverage risk disclosure
XTB
Who it suits
- Retail traders in the UK and Europe who want stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs and crypto in one account
- Beginners who want a demo account and a mobile app before committing money
- Cost conscious traders who will not hold a balance large enough to trigger the inactivity fee
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage, if a small minimum deposit of $5 suits a smaller starting balance better
- CFI, for traders who want forex and CFDs without paying an fx charge of 0.5%
- Anyone who plans to hold an idle balance for a long period, given the inactivity fee of €10
Questions about each
XTB
What does XTB charge to open and hold an account?+
The account fee is €0, so there is no monthly or annual cost to keeping the account open. A stock trade costs €0 on the same account. The only recurring charge to watch is an inactivity fee of €10 for traders whose balance sits idle.
Is there a minimum deposit at XTB?+
The minimum deposit is €0, which means the account can be opened and funded with a small amount. It is a lower floor than the $5 asked by Vantage, so it suits a trader testing the platform before scaling up.
What protection is there for money held at XTB?+
Regulated by CySEC, FCA and KNF, the firm is supervised in Cyprus, the UK and Poland. Client money protection is stated as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, which is a ceiling on what the scheme pays if the firm fails. It does not cover market losses, so leverage is a separate risk.
How do deposits and withdrawals work?+
Deposits are free and withdrawals are free above a stated threshold, as set out in Free deposits; free withdrawals above 100 EUR/USD. That keeps the cost of funding an account with a small balance low, and taking money out above the threshold costs nothing. Below the threshold, a withdrawal fee applies.
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