B
CMC Markets logo

CMC Markets

7.5/10
merrill edge logo

merrill edge

7.4/10
7/10RegulationWinner10/10
4/10WinnerFees1/10
9/10WinnerPlatforms7/10
10/10WinnerEducation & Research4/10
4/10Deposits & WithdrawalsWinner10/10
10/10SupportTied10/10

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Overview

CMC Markets was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in UK, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. CMC Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at CMC Markets and $250 at merrill edge.

CMC Markets wins this category
FeatureCMC Marketsmerrill edge
Min. Deposit$200$250
RegulationFinancial Conduct Authority (FCA)Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F277
Founded19892010
CountryUKUSA
Clients10,000+10,000+

Fees

Fees are a critical factor when choosing between CMC Markets and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. CMC Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $250 at merrill edge). CMC Markets charges withdrawal fees while merrill edge does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. CMC Markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; merrill edge does not. Overall, CMC Markets scores higher on fees in our assessment.

CMC Markets wins this category
FeatureCMC Marketsmerrill edge
Min. Deposit$200$250
Withdrawal FeesYesNo
Inactivity FeesYesNo
Deposit FeesNoNo
CFD FeesNoNo

Platforms

CMC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while merrill edge supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. merrill edge supports social and copy trading features, which CMC Markets does not offer. CMC Markets edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.

CMC Markets wins this category
FeatureCMC Marketsmerrill edge
MT4YesNo
MT5YesYes
cTraderYesYes
Windows AppYesYes
iOS AppYesYes
Android AppYesYes
Trading PlatformsWeb Trader, Binary, Tablet & Mobile appsMT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps

Education & Research

Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how CMC Markets and merrill edge compare. CMC Markets runs regular live webinars; merrill edge does not. Both provide video tutorials. CMC Markets publishes daily market commentary; merrill edge does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. CMC Markets maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. CMC Markets scores higher overall in education and research.

CMC Markets wins this category
FeatureCMC Marketsmerrill edge
Forex EducationYesYes
CFD EducationYesNo
Weekly WebinarsYesNo
Daily CommentaryYesNo
Trading CentralYesNo
AutochartistYesYes

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 merrill edge supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). merrill edge uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. merrill edge scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.

merrill edge wins this category
FeatureCMC Marketsmerrill edge
Bank TransferYesYes
Credit CardYesYes
PayPalNoYes
SkrillNoYes
NetellerNoYes

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 merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 8 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.

Tied
FeatureCMC Marketsmerrill edge
Live ChatYesYes
Phone SupportYesYes
Email SupportYesYes
LanguagesEnglish, German, French, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, Italian, and NorwegianEnglish, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic