Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 67% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting and/or trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets, CFDs, OTC options or any of our other products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Compare trading platforms

CMC's 'Next Generation' platform vs MetaTrader4

Compare our award-winning web platform* with the popular MetaTrader 4 platform.

CMC Next Generation platform

Spread bet or trade CFDs on our web platform, with institutional-grade features and security, and best-in-class insight and analysis.

  • Get tight spreads on more than 12,000 instruments.
  • Make use of over 115 indicators and 70 chart patterns.
  • Manage your risk with transparent costs and stop-loss orders.

MetaTrader 4 platform

Spread bet or trade CFDs on forex, indices, and commodities at home or on the go on the popular MT4 platform with us.

  • Automate your trading with algorithms.
  • Enjoy a wide range of chart types and tools.
  • Customise your trading with add-ons that suit your style.

Account comparison

CMC MT4

Number of instruments

CMC MT4

Number of instruments

12,000+

220

Forex

YES (330+)

YES (175+)

Indices

YES (80+)

YES (17)

Cryptocurrencies

YES (19) – professional clients only

YES (12) – professional clients only

Commodities

YES (100+)

YES (15)

Shares and ETFs

YES (10,000+)

NO

Treasuries

YES (50+)

NO

Countdowns

YES – professional clients only

NO

Account properties

CMC MT4

100% automatic execution of orders without the mediation and intervention of the dealer

YES

YES

Minimum payment

NO

NO

Free account maintenance

YES

YES

Account currency

CHF, EUR, GBP, NOK, SEK, USD

CHF, EUR, GBP, NOK, SEK, USD

Individual account

YES

YES

CMC Pro offer

YES

YES

Transaction discounts for active customers

YES (professional clients only)

YES (professional clients only)

Maximum leverage

30:1

30:1

Protection against negative balances

YES (retail clients only)

YES (retail clients only)

Available orders

CMC MT4

Market order

YES

YES

Limit and stop-entry orders

YES

YES

Stop-loss and take-profit orders

YES

YES

Trailing stop-loss orders

YES (also active after switching off the platform)

YES (must logged in to the platform)

Guaranteed stop-loss orders

YES

NO

Boundary orders (helps prevent slippage)

YES

NO

Access market depth via price ladder

YES

NO

Position size examples

CMC MT4

Transaction unit

Unit (equal to the price of the instrument in the base currency)

Lot (according to specification)

Minimum trade size for EUR/USD

400 EUR (= 0.004 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 1000 EUR on CMC platform)

Maximum trade size for EUR/USD

EUR 30 million (= 300 lots on MT4)

40 lots (= EUR 4 million on CMC platform)

Minimum step size for EUR/USD

1 EUR (= 0.00001 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 1000 EUR on CMC platform)

Minimum trade size for Germany 40

0.01 units (= 0.004 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 0.25 units on CMC platform)

Maximum trade size for Germany 40

1,500 units (= 60 lots on MT4)

5 lots (= 125 units on CMC platform)

Minimum step size for Germany 40

0.0001 units (= 0.000008 lot)

0.01 lot (= 0.25 units on CMC platform)

Minimum trade size for Gold

0.4 units (= 0.004 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 1 unit on CMC platform)

Maximum trade size for Gold

7,500 units (= 750 lots on MT4)

10 lots (= 1000 units on CMC platform)

Minimum step size for Gold

0.001 units (= 0.00001 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 1 unit on CMC platform)

Platform properties and tools

CMC MT4

Requires installation

NO

YES

Personalise platform appearance

YES

YES (limited)

Personalise order properties

YES

NO

Trade using amounts or units

YES

NO

Choice of forced closure method (close-out)

YES (standard; last in, first out; largest position margin first; largest position loss first)

No (only ordinary)

Choice between netting and hedging

YES

No (only hedging)

Advanced instrument search tools

YES

NO

List of favourite instruments

YES

YES

Custom-stop triggering

YES (at buy, sell or mid-price)

No (only on the right side of the spread)

Advanced charting package

YES

YES

Built-in indicators and drawing tools

YES

YES

Parameters of indicators can be edited

YES

YES

Ability to create your own indicators

NO

YES

Automatic trading

NO

YES (Expert Advisors)

Pattern recognition scanner

YES (candle and line)

NO

Market sentiment tool

YES

YES

1-click transactions

YES

YES

Multi-interval analysis

YES

YES

Offline alerts

YES (free SMS, email, push, inside platform/price, calendar, order fulfilment)

YES

Economic calendar

YES (Reuters)

YES

Fundamental analysis reports of Morningstar Research

YES

NO

Reuters news

YES

NO

Built-in market comments

YES

NO

Price bar (ticker)

YES

NO

Direct access to educational and analytical materials

YES

YES

CCM Next Generation platform

MetaTrader 4 platform

CMC Next Generation platform features

Fast, intuitive platform

Powerful charting

Easy fund and withdraw process

Unique layouts for market overview or deep-dive analysis

Over 115 technical indicators and tools

FAQs

New to trading?

Is it free to open an account?

There's no cost when opening a live spread betting or CFD account. You can also view prices and use tools such as charts, Reuters news or Morningstar quantitative equity reports, free of charge. However, you will need to deposit funds in your account to place a trade. You can find out more about the costs of placing a trade.

Is CMC Markets regulated by the FCA?

Yes, CMC Markets UK plc (registration number 173730) and CMC Spreadbet plc (registration number 170627) are fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. Retail client money is held in segregated client bank accounts and money held on behalf of clients is distributed across a range of major banks, which are regularly assessed against our risk criteria.

Is CMC Markets covered by the FSCS?

Yes, your eligible deposits with CMC Markets are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensations Scheme (FSCS), the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. If CMC Markets ever went into liquidation, retail clients would have their share of segregated money returned, minus the administrator's costs in handling and distributing these funds. Any shortfall of funds up to £85,000 may be compensated under the FSCS.

How does CMC Markets segregate client money?

Under the FCA’s Client Money rules, we’re required to segregate client money (unless you agree with us otherwise) from CMC’s own funds. The funds held in segregated bank accounts do not belong to CMC and will be held in a way that enables it to be identified as client money. Learn more about client money regulations

How does CMC Markets make money?

Our income primarily comes from our spreads, while other fees, such as overnight holding costs, make a minor contribution to our overall revenue.

We never aim to profit from our clients' losses. Our aim is to build long-term relationships by providing the best possible trading experience through our technology and customer service.

What can I trade on with CMC?

You can spread bet and trade CFDs on over 12,000 instruments with us. See a list of all our popular markets and instruments.

Next Generation vs MT4 FAQs

Can you spread bet on MT4?

Yes, you can spread bet and trade CFDs on the MetaTrader 4 platform with us. 

Is there a minimum payment to get started on the platforms?

There is no minimum deposit to start trading on either platform. However, you will need to ensure you have sufficient funds to cover your leveraged positions to avoid a margin call.

Which markets can I trade on?

With our web platform, you can spread bet and trade CFDs on 12,000+ instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and treasuries, as well as our exclusive share baskets. View our range of markets. With MT4, you can spread bet and trade CFDs on over 175 forex pairs, plus key indices and commodities.

Does the CMC web platform offer automated trading?

Our web trading platform doesn’t yet offer automated trading. However, you can create algorithms using Expert Advisors (EAs) and trading robots on MT4 without any coding knowledge. Open an MT4 demo account to practise using automated trading strategies.

What technical analysis tools does MT4 have?

MT4 comes with a wide range of technical indicators and add-ons, such as pivot points, Donchian channels and Renko charts. It also offers the powerful Autochartist tool, which uses pattern recognition software to identify trade ideas and opportunities.

Can I trade on mobile?

You can spread bet and trade CFDs using our customisable trading app, which comes with mobile-optimised charts, order tickets and trading alerts. Download our mobile app for Android or iOS devices now.

What is the client sentiment tool?

The client sentiment tool is available on both our web platform and MT4, to analyse user behaviour and detect whether traders are feeling particularly bullish or bearish about certain instruments. Read more about measuring investor sentiment.

Can you create your own indicators on MT4?

You can create your own leading or lagging indicators on MT4 using Expert Advisors. In order to do this, you should be familiar with MQL4 and MetaEditor tools. Learn how to create MT4 indicators.

What platform features are exclusive to CMC's web platform?

Some exclusive features of our online trading platform include a chart forum, access to free Morningstar fundamental reports, a Reuters news feed, boundary orders and a price ladder to access market depth. Learn more by watching our platform tutorials.

Can I open a demo account?

You can open a demo account to practise with £10,000 of virtual funds on both platforms. Choose between a spread betting demo accountCFD demo account or MT4 demo account to practise trading risk-free.