CMC Markets Review 2026: Is It Still One Of The Best UK Trading Brokers?

Disclosure & Risk Notice: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice, investment advice, tax advice or a personal recommendation. Trading CFDs, spread betting, forex, crypto CFDs and other leveraged products involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all traders. You may lose some or all of your capital. Some GradTraders articles may contain affiliate links or references to partner offers. If you sign up, purchase or open an account through certain links, GradTraders may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Looking for GradTraders partner offers, broker discounts, prop firm promotions and trading platform deals? You can view the current offers and join the update list here: Access GradTraders Partner Offers.

Quick Verdict

CMC Markets is one of the most established trading providers available to UK traders and, in many respects, remains one of the strongest alternatives to IG.

I traded with CMC Markets for several years and found the platform professional, reliable and well suited to traders who value strong regulation and a broad range of markets. Order execution was excellent and, unlike my experience with IG, I never found myself locked out of my account during a trading session or needing to urgently contact support because the platform had stopped working.

However, as my own trading style evolved towards more active index trading, I eventually became frustrated with trading costs, margin requirements and the limitations imposed by UK retail regulations. That ultimately led me to explore alternatives such as IC Markets.

For investors and many retail traders, CMC Markets remains an excellent broker. For highly active traders seeking lower costs and greater leverage, there may be better options available.

Since publishing the wider GradTraders broker data bank, CMC Markets has become one of the main UK comparison names across our broker regulation and jurisdiction research, best index brokers, best Japan 225 broker research and wider active trader broker research. CMC Markets is not ranked as the lowest-cost active-trader broker in the GradTraders broker cluster, but it remains one of the clearest UK choices for traders who prioritise FCA regulation, spread betting, broad market access, advanced proprietary platform technology and a long operating history.

Overall Rating: 8.3/10

Looking For An Alternative?

If you’re primarily interested in lower spreads, higher leverage and platforms such as cTrader, you may also want to consider FP Markets. Whilst CMC Markets remains a strong choice for many UK traders, FP Markets may appeal to active traders who prioritise execution speed and trading costs.

What Is CMC Markets?

CMC Markets is a UK-based broker founded in 1989 and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The company provides access to:

• Spread betting
• CFD trading
• Forex
• Indices
• Commodities
• Shares
• ETFs
• Treasuries

CMC has built a strong reputation among UK traders thanks to its regulation, technology and extensive market coverage.

One of the broker’s biggest strengths is its proprietary Next Generation trading platform, which remains one of the most advanced retail trading platforms available.

My Experience With CMC Markets

After leaving IG, I eventually moved to CMC Markets. At the time, the platform felt like a step forward in several areas. The charting package was impressive, the platform was stable and the overall trading experience felt modern and professional. Unlike my experience with IG, I never found myself locked out of my account during a trading session or needing to urgently contact support because the platform had stopped working. Order execution was consistently good and I rarely had cause for complaint. For many years I was perfectly happy using CMC Markets.

One small frustration was the withdrawal process. In my experience, withdrawals occasionally required a phone call to customer support and sometimes involved waiting for different regional offices to coordinate the request. It was never a major issue, but as someone who predominantly traded the Nikkei and occasionally wanted quick access to funds, it gradually became an annoyance.

As I became more active in markets such as the Japan 225 and other major indices, I found myself paying increasing attention to spreads, margin requirements and overall trading costs. While CMC offered excellent regulation and security, I gradually realised that traders operating under FCA restrictions were facing very different trading conditions compared with those available through certain international brokers. This eventually led me towards IC Markets, where I found lower margin requirements, greater leverage and trading conditions that better suited my style of trading.

That does not mean CMC Markets is a poor broker. Quite the opposite. For traders who prioritise regulation, security and a highly professional trading environment, CMC Markets remains one of the strongest brokers available to UK residents.

CMC Markets Pros And Cons

Pros

• FCA regulated
• Excellent reputation
• Advanced Next Generation platform
• Spread betting available
• Huge range of markets
• Strong charting tools
• Professional research and education
• Long operating history

Cons

• Lower leverage than offshore brokers
• Margin requirements can feel restrictive
• Active traders may find lower costs elsewhere
• Not ideal for traders seeking maximum flexibility

Trading Platforms

CMC Markets focuses primarily on its proprietary trading platform.

Next Generation Platform

The Next Generation platform is arguably the broker’s strongest feature.

Highlights include:

• Advanced charting
• Multiple chart layouts
• Market analysis
• Economic calendar
• Pattern recognition tools
• Mobile trading functionality

Even today, I consider it one of the better proprietary platforms available to retail traders.

MetaTrader 4

CMC also offers MetaTrader 4 support for traders who prefer the familiar MT4 environment.

Spread Betting vs CFD Trading

Like IG, CMC Markets offers both spread betting and CFD trading. For UK traders, spread betting remains particularly attractive because profits are generally exempt from Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty under current UK tax rules, although individual circumstances can vary and tax treatment can change.

For many traders, this tax advantage alone makes spread betting worth considering. CFD trading remains available for traders who prefer that structure or require access to specific products.

Regardless of the product chosen, leveraged trading carries substantial risk and should be approached carefully. Like IG, I have always felt the spreads on many individual company shares are simply too wide to justify opening a position. In my experience, only some of the larger and more heavily traded companies offer what I would consider reasonable value.

Is CMC Markets Safe?

CMC Markets scores highly when it comes to safety and regulation.

Key strengths include:

• FCA regulation
• Segregated client funds
• Publicly listed company
• Decades of operating history
• Strong reputation within the UK trading industry

If safety and regulation are among your highest priorities, CMC Markets ranks among the strongest options available.

Who Is CMC Markets Best For?

Best For

• UK traders
• Spread bettors
• Long-term investors
• Traders who value strong regulation
• Traders who appreciate advanced charting tools
• Beginners seeking a trusted broker

Less Suitable For

• Traders seeking maximum leverage
• High-frequency scalpers
• Traders focused solely on minimising costs
• Traders comfortable using offshore brokers

Final Verdict

CMC Markets remains one of the most respected brokers operating in the UK. Its combination of FCA regulation, advanced trading technology and extensive market access makes it a strong choice for many traders. Personally, I eventually moved towards brokers offering lower costs and greater flexibility for active index trading. However, that decision reflected my own trading style rather than any major failing on CMC’s part.

If your priorities are regulation, professionalism and long-term stability, CMC Markets deserves serious consideration. If your priorities are maximum leverage, lower margin requirements and ultra-competitive pricing, you may prefer brokers such as IC Markets. For the vast majority of UK traders, however, CMC Markets remains one of the best brokers available and, based on my own experience, deserves its reputation as one of the leading names in the industry.

Overall Rating: 8.3/10