CMC Markets
First Trade
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Overview
CMC Markets was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in UK, while First Trade was established in 2008 and is based in USA. CMC Markets holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), while First Trade is regulated by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) among others. CMC Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; First Trade has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at CMC Markets and $5 at First Trade.
| Feature | CMC Markets | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $5 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) |
| Founded | 1989 | 2008 |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between CMC Markets and First Trade, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. CMC Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $5 at First Trade). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. CMC Markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; First Trade does not. First Trade charges deposit fees; CMC Markets does not. Overall, First Trade scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | CMC Markets | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $5 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
CMC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while First Trade supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | CMC Markets | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Web Trader, Binary, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4,WEB |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how CMC Markets and First Trade compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | CMC Markets | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. CMC Markets accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while First Trade supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | CMC Markets | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both CMC Markets and First Trade offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. CMC Markets supports 8 languages and First Trade supports 2, giving CMC Markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | CMC Markets | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, German, French, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, Italian, and Norwegian | English, and Chinese |