Quick summary: CMC Markets review 2026
- Score8.2/10 — advanced CFD platform for experienced traders
- Founded1989 — over 35 years of experience
- Markets12,000+ markets globally
- StrengthNext Generation platform, BankID, Norwegian customer service and broad market coverage
- Best forExperienced CFD traders with high demands on platform quality
- Risk69% of retail clients lose money trading CFDs
What is CMC Markets?
CMC Markets is a global CFD broker founded in 1989. For Norwegian customers, CMC Markets operates through CMC Markets Germany GmbH Filial Oslo. CMC Markets Germany GmbH is regulated by BaFin, and the Norwegian branch is supervised by Finanstilsynet. That gives a clearer Norwegian framework than many international CFD players.
With access to over 12,000 CFD instruments — including stocks, indices, currencies, commodities, ETFs, cryptocurrency and interest-rate products — CMC Markets offers broad exposure across asset classes. The platform is particularly strong on charting, pattern recognition, client sentiment and advanced order types.
CMC is still not a futures broker. You can trade CFDs that give exposure to futures markets, but that isn't the same as exchange-listed futures contracts with clearing. For genuine futures trading, we recommend EdgeClear, Saxo Bank or NinjaTrader, with AMP Futures and StoneX as further options in our top 5 list.
Leverage caps for Norwegian retail clients
A regulation from Norway's Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet) sets these maximum limits for CFD trading in Norway.
- Major currency pairs (USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CAD, CHF)30:1
- Gold and eight named indices (incl. S&P 500, DAX 30, FTSE 100)20:1
- Other commodities and indices10:1
- Individual stocks5:1
- Cryptocurrency2:1
The broker must also offer negative balance protection and automatically close your positions if your account falls below half of the total required margin. See the full rules
Regulation and safety
CMC Markets' UK entity, CMC Markets UK plc, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, FRN 173730. CMC states that customer funds are held segregated from the company's own funds in separate client accounts at major banks, under FCA rules.
As a client of an FCA-regulated entity, you're normally covered by the UK's Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 if the company were to fail. This does not cover losses from ordinary CFD trading.
The Next Generation platform
Next Generation
A feature-rich web platform with 115 indicators and drawing tools, a pattern recognition scanner, client sentiment and risk tools.
Spread analysis
Transparent and competitive spreads, with the ability to compare historical spreads on the platform.
Risk management tools
Stop-loss, trailing stops and guaranteed stop-loss (GSLO) for better risk control on every trade.
Market analysis
Top-tier analysis tools with a news feed, market sentiment and technical analysis built into the platform.
Who is CMC Markets a good fit for?
Good fit
- Experienced CFD traders with high demands on platform quality
- Technical traders who use many indicators and charting
- Traders who value transparent and competitive spreads
- Those who want advanced risk management tools
Less of a fit
- Beginners — the platform can feel overwhelming
- Traders who want to trade exchange-listed futures contracts
- Traders who want the simplest possible CFD start over advanced platform tools
CMC Markets vs Skilling
| Factor | CMC Markets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Best use case | Advanced charting and analysis | Active CFD trading |
| BankID | Yes | Yes |
| Norwegian customer service | Yes | Yes |
| TradingView | No | Yes |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| MT4 | No | Yes |
| CopyTrader | No | Yes, via cTrader Copy |
| Number of instruments | 12,000+ | 1,200+ |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Norwegian tax report | Not documented | Check the current solution |
| Best for | Experienced traders with high demands on analysis tools | Active CFD traders |
Choose CMC Markets if you:
- want advanced charting with 115 indicators and pattern recognition
- want guaranteed stop-loss (GSLO) and other advanced risk tools
- want access to over 12,000 CFD instruments
- are an experienced trader and don't need the simplest starter platform
- want to use BankID and Norwegian customer service in a more advanced platform environment than Skilling
Choose Skilling if you:
- want to use TradingView, cTrader or MetaTrader 4
- want the simplest CFD start for Norwegian beginners
- prioritise more platform choices over depth in a single platform
- actively trade currencies, gold, oil or indices
- want lower complexity than the Next Generation platform
CMC Markets pros and cons
Pros
- The Next Generation platform — one of the market's most advanced CFD platforms
- 12,000+ CFD instruments — broad market coverage across asset classes
- Competitive spreads — transparent pricing structure
- Norwegian branch and European regulation — CMC Markets Germany GmbH is regulated by BaFin, and the Norwegian branch is supervised by Finanstilsynet
- Advanced analysis tools — 115 indicators and drawing tools, pattern recognition and client sentiment
Cons
- 69% lose money — leveraged CFDs carry a high level of risk
- Not a futures broker — no exchange-listed futures contracts
- Can feel complex — the many features can be overwhelming for new traders
Ready for the next step? Try futures.
CMC Markets is a strong CFD alternative. When you're ready for exchange-listed futures, EdgeClear is our overall first choice.
Our assessment of CMC Markets
CMC Markets scores 8.2/10 in our assessment. It isn't our simplest CFD choice for Norwegian beginners, but it's a strong alternative for more experienced traders who want BankID, Norwegian customer service, broad market coverage and a more advanced platform. Skilling remains our #1 CFD choice for the starting phase; CMC Markets is more interesting when platform quality and analysis tools matter most.
FAQ about CMC Markets
Yes. For Norwegian customers, CMC Markets Germany GmbH is regulated by BaFin, and CMC Markets Germany GmbH Filial Oslo is supervised by Finanstilsynet. CMC Markets plc is also listed in London.
Next Generation is CMC Markets' proprietary trading platform. It includes 115 indicators and drawing tools, pattern recognition, client sentiment, advanced order types and built-in analysis tools.
CMC offers CFDs on futures markets, but that isn't the same as exchange-listed futures. For genuine futures trading, we recommend EdgeClear, Saxo Bank or NinjaTrader, with AMP Futures and StoneX as other options in our top 5.
Advertiser disclosure: Best Futures may receive a commission if you open an account through links on this page. This does not affect our assessment.