Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Invest vs Bestinvest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, CMC Invest offers better pricing than Bestinvest for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year.
12 trades per year - CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year.
36 trades per year - CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year.
120 trades per year - CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year.
3 fund trades per year - CMC Invest would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £50 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When choosing between online brokers, UK investors considering CMC Invest and Bestinvest will find both platforms offer similar investment options, including share trading, ETFs, funds, and investment trusts. Neither platform supports crypto trading, spread betting, CFD trading, or the trading of corporate or government bonds. However, Bestinvest distinguishes itself by providing advisor services, which could be a deciding factor for those seeking professional guidance.
Both CMC Invest and Bestinvest are rated at 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for their investment choices, demonstrating their strong standing in the market. With CMC Invest ranked 14th and Bestinvest ranked 10th out of 18 brokers, Bestinvest holds a slight edge in terms of overall preference for investment choice options. This ranking might influence the decision of users who prioritise a broader range of services and support.
| Feature |
CMC Invest
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the trading tools of CMC Invest and Bestinvest, a distinct difference appears in their features and capabilities. Bestinvest comes ahead in charting tools with nine drawing tools and 36 technical indicators, while CMC Invest doesn't support any. Additionally, Bestinvest allows traders to add notes to charts and overlay stocks, advantages not provided by CMC Invest. Moreover, Bestinvest offers a browser-based trading platform, which CMC Invest lacks. On the flip side, both platforms allow users to set stock price alerts, but only CMC Invest provides real-time market data, enhancing decision-making speed.
Neither broker offers the ability to display corporate events like earnings or dividends directly on their charts, an important consideration for investors. For specific charting strategies, those interested in overlaying indexes will find neither platform fulfills this requirement. Overall, Bestinvest stands out with its comprehensive charting accessories, ideal for those who heavily rely on technical analysis, while CMC Invest's real-time market data can be appealing to traders who prioritise prompt information.
| Feature |
CMC Invest
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | No | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When choosing between CMC Invest and Bestinvest for retirement accounts in the UK, both platforms offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), catering to diverse investment goals. CMC Invest provides a streamlined experience with their ISA and SIPP offerings, appealing to those who value straightforward investment options. Bestinvest also delivers competitive ISA and SIPP choices, often highlighted for their investment advice and portfolio management features. With each broker providing these essential retirement account types, UK investors can select based on their unique needs and preferences, knowing both options support key investment structures.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors comparing online brokers, both CMC Invest and Bestinvest offer mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. When evaluating app performance, CMC Invest's app shines with a 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, placing it in the 11th position among 18 brokers. In contrast, Bestinvest's app, with a notable but lower 3.5-star rating, is ranked 16th. These insights help UK investors choose a mobile trading experience that best suits their needs.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources provided by CMC Invest and Bestinvest for beginner investors in the UK, Bestinvest has a wider range of options. Bestinvest hosts educational client webinars, which are also available on demand, while CMC Invest does not offer this service. Both platforms provide educational content on topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement. However, according to UK.StockBrokers.com, Bestinvest is rated 5 stars for beginner education and is ranked 6th out of 18 brokers, whereas CMC Invest receives 4 stars and is ranked 15th. Thus, for beginners looking for comprehensive learning support, Bestinvest might be the more suitable choice.
| Feature |
CMC Invest
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of CMC Invest and Bestinvest, both platforms provide research reports for funds, shares, and ETFs, making them solid choices for investors needing current insights. While CMC Invest and Bestinvest do not offer research on CFDs or Bonds, Bestinvest stands out by providing tools to view portfolio allocation by asset class—a feature not available with CMC Invest. Both brokers cater to investors looking for comprehensive fund research, but the additional portfolio insights from Bestinvest could be particularly beneficial for those keen on detailed asset analysis.
| Feature |
CMC Invest
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, CMC Invest or Bestinvest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found CMC Invest to be a better trading platform overall.
CMC Invest offers commission-free trading of U.K.-listed shares and U.S. equities via a mobile app only. Though a newer entrant to the U.K. share dealing market and currently somewhat limited, it’s powered by global contender CMC Markets, making it likely that its offerings will expand.
| Feature |
CMC Invest
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Mobile App |
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Both CMC Invest and Bestinvest do not offer cryptocurrency trading, focusing instead on a variety of traditional investment options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Invest | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | CMC Invest Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | CMC Invest | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | CMC Invest | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 / £120 / £300 | £144.75 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 / £120 / £300 | £119.40 - £179.40 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 / £120 / £300 | £238.20 - £357.60 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 / £120 / £300 | £654 - £714 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £120 | £60 or £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £120 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £120 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £120 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £120 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | £4.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 | £4.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £0 | £30 |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Invest | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | CMC Invest | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | No | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | 9 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | CMC Invest | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
| Education | CMC Invest | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | CMC Invest | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | CMC Invest Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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