CMC Markets

CMC Markets

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.8
/ 10
vs
Tickmill

Tickmill

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.2
/ 10

CMC Markets vs Tickmill

A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.

CMC Markets and Tickmill are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. CMC Markets, founded in 1989 and headquartered in London, UK, is regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin and offers spreads starting from 0.7 pips with a minimum deposit of $0. Tickmill, established in 2014 in Limassol, Cyprus, holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, FSA with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $100 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, CMC Markets scored 8.8/10 overall compared to Tickmill's 8.2/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Tickmill holds its own with lower trading costs, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • 📊

    CMC Markets scores 8.8/10 overall vs 8.2/10 for Tickmill — a 0.6-point difference.

  • 💵

    CMC Markets requires just $0 to start, while Tickmill needs $100 — CMC Markets is 100x more accessible.

  • 📈

    CMC Markets offers 10,000+ instruments vs 500+ at Tickmill — a massive gap in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

    CMC Markets runs on Next Generation, MT4, while Tickmill uses MT4, MT5 — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

  • The biggest gap is in Platforms & Tools: CMC Markets scores 9.5 vs 7.5 for Tickmill — a 2.0-point difference.

Our Verdict

🏆 WINNER
CMC Markets

CMC Markets

Score: 8.8/10 · Wins 6 categories
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
  • Responsive customer support matters to you
Tickmill

Tickmill

Score: 8.2/10 · Wins 1 categories
  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You prefer Tickmill's trading environment overall

CMC Markets takes the lead with an overall score of 8.8/10 compared to 8.2/10, winning in 6 out of 8 scoring categories. CMC Markets stands out for better trading platforms and stronger regulation, while Tickmill fights back with lower trading costs.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, CMC Markets comes out ahead with a 8.8/10 overall rating, winning 6 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Platforms & Tools where it scores 9.5/10. CMC Markets holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Tickmill is not without merit — it scores 8.2/10 overall and excels in Trading Costs (9.0/10), winning 1 category. Traders who value lower trading costs may find Tickmill the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full CMC Markets review and Tickmill review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

CMC Markets
Tickmill
Trading Costs
8.0 9.0

Tickmill wins by 1.0 points

Platforms & Tools
9.5 7.5

CMC Markets wins by 2.0 points

Regulation & Trust
9.5 9.0

CMC Markets wins by 0.5 points

Education
8.0 7.0

CMC Markets wins by 1.0 points

Customer Service
8.0 7.5

CMC Markets wins by 0.5 points

Research & Analysis
9.0 7.0

CMC Markets wins by 2.0 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
8.0 8.0
Product Range
9.5 7.5

CMC Markets wins by 2.0 points

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
8.8/10
8.2/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$0
$100
Max Leverage
1:500
1:500
Spreads From
0.7 pips
0.0 pips
Platforms
Next Generation, MT4
MT4, MT5
Regulation
FCA, ASIC, BaFin
CySEC, FCA, FSA
Founded
Older track record highlighted
1989
2014
Markets
10,000+
500+
CMC Markets: 0 Tickmill: 1
💰

Fees & Costs

🏅 Section Winner: Tickmill (8.0 vs 9.0)

When it comes to trading costs, Tickmill has the edge with a score of 9/10 versus 8/10 for CMC Markets. CMC Markets offers spreads starting from 0.7 pips, while Tickmill starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at CMC Markets is $0, compared to $100 at Tickmill. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.

CMC Markets
8.0
Tickmill
9.0
CMC Markets: 1 Tickmill: 1
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: CMC Markets (9.5 vs 7.5)

CMC Markets scores 9.5/10 for platforms compared to 7.5/10 for Tickmill. CMC Markets provides Next Generation, MT4, while Tickmill offers MT4, MT5. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.

CMC Markets
9.5
Tickmill
7.5
CMC Markets: 2 Tickmill: 1
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

🏅 Section Winner: CMC Markets (9.5 vs 9.0)

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. CMC Markets is regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin (Tier 1), while Tickmill holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, FSA (Tier 1). CMC Markets scores 9.5/10 and Tickmill scores 9/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.

CMC Markets
9.5
Tickmill
9.0
CMC Markets: 3 Tickmill: 1
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: CMC Markets (8.0 vs 7.0)

For learning resources, CMC Markets leads with 8/10 compared to 7/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. CMC Markets and Tickmill both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.

CMC Markets
8.0
Tickmill
7.0
CMC Markets: 4 Tickmill: 1
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: CMC Markets (8.0 vs 7.5)

CMC Markets offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 8/10, while Tickmill provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 7.5/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.

CMC Markets
8.0
Tickmill
7.5
CMC Markets: 4 Tickmill: 1
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

CMC Markets scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Tickmill scores 8/10. CMC Markets accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, and Tickmill supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. CMC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $0 versus $100 for Tickmill. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

CMC Markets
8.0
Tickmill
8.0

Which Broker Is Right for You?

CMC Markets

Choose CMC Markets if you...

  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
  • Responsive customer support matters to you
Visit CMC Markets
Tickmill

Choose Tickmill if you...

  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You prefer Tickmill's trading environment overall
Visit Tickmill

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CMC Markets better than Tickmill?

CMC Markets scores higher overall (8.8/10 vs 8.2/10), winning 6 of 8 categories. However, Tickmill is stronger in lower trading costs. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, CMC Markets or Tickmill?

Tickmill scores higher for trading costs. CMC Markets offers spreads from 0.7 pips with a $0 minimum deposit, while Tickmill starts from 0.0 pips with $100 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.

Is CMC Markets safe to trade with?

CMC Markets is regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin and scores 9.5/10 for regulation. Tickmill is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSA with a score of 9/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, CMC Markets or Tickmill?

CMC Markets scores 9.5/10 for platforms. CMC Markets offers Next Generation, MT4, while Tickmill provides MT4, MT5. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for CMC Markets vs Tickmill?

CMC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $0, while Tickmill requires $100. CMC Markets has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.

Ready to Start Trading?

Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.

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