Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Bestinvest vs CMC Invest, 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 - Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
12 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
36 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
120 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £50 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 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 it comes to investment choices, both Bestinvest and CMC Invest present robust platforms suitable for a variety of investors. Bestinvest and CMC Invest both offer share trading, ETF trading, funds trading, and the trading of investment trusts, making them versatile options for those interested in traditional trading avenues. However, neither platform supports the trading of cryptocurrencies, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), or CFD trading, and both also steer clear of spread betting. Where Bestinvest slightly stands apart is with its advisor services, a support system that CMC Invest does not provide.
Despite their similar offerings in certain areas, Bestinvest and CMC Invest both earn commendable ratings of 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com for their range of investment choices. Although Bestinvest’s exact ranking out of 18 brokers isn’t specified, CMC Invest stands at 15th. For investors looking for a user-friendly trading experience, these platforms offer attractive options, with Bestinvest having the added benefit of advisory services to guide your investment journey.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When it comes to trading tools, Bestinvest and CMC Invest offer notably different features suited for varying user needs. Bestinvest stands out with an array of 9 drawing tools and 36 technical indicators available for charting, along with the ability to add notes and overlay stocks on charts. It also supports browser-based trading, allowing for convenient access from anywhere. A distinct feature Bestinvest offers is setting alerts for stock price updates, streamlining the
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing retirement account options at Bestinvest and CMC Invest, both platforms offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), providing users with versatile paths to grow their savings for the future. Bestinvest and CMC Invest make retirement planning straightforward by ensuring access to these popular account types, helping individuals manage their investments efficiently while benefiting from potential tax savings. Whether you're looking to shield savings with ISAs or take charge of your pension with SIPPs, both Bestinvest and CMC Invest provide robust solutions tailored to meet a variety of financial goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile apps offered by Bestinvest and CMC Invest, both platforms provide apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility across popular devices. Bestinvest's app garners a modest 3.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, while CMC Invest excels with an impressive 4.5-star rating. This high rating for CMC Invest also secures it a notable 7th place ranking out of 18 brokers evaluated by UK.StockBrokers.com for mobile app performance. With these ratings, CMC Invest's app might appeal more to users seeking a superior mobile trading experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Bestinvest and CMC Invest offer distinct experiences. Bestinvest provides a more comprehensive offering with educational client webinars that are available live and archived for on-demand viewing, covering topics like share trading, funds, and retirement. In contrast, CMC Invest does not offer webinars but does provide educational materials on the same investment topics. Bestinvest shines with a perfect 5-star rating for beginner education from UK.StockBrokers.com, while CMC Invest receives a solid 4-star rating and ranks 13th among 18 brokers. For those prioritizing educational support, Bestinvest stands out as the top choice.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 online brokers Bestinvest and CMC Invest, both platforms offer comprehensive research reports for funds, shares, and ETFs, ensuring investors have ample information for making informed decisions. However, Bestinvest stands out with its ability to allow users to see their portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature not available with CMC Invest. Neither platform provides research for CFDs or Bonds, keeping their focus on more traditional investment vehicles. Overall, both Bestinvest and CMC Invest offer robust tools for research, though Bestinvest provides added insight into portfolio management.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
Which broker is better overall, Bestinvest or CMC Invest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Bestinvest to be a better trading platform overall.
Bestinvest is a very good broker that should appeal to a wide range of investors. Fees are competitive, particularly if you invest in funds or US shares, and the investment options are extensive. The Bestinvest platform is relatively easy to use and the offer of a free 45 minute session with a financial coach can be a useful starting point for newer investors. Bestinvest is also a great option for a Junior SIPP, as it is one of very few UK brokers offering children’s pensions and with a low entry point.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Education |
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Both Bestinvest and CMC Invest do not offer crypto trading, providing investors with a focus on traditional asset classes rather than digital currencies.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Bestinvest | CMC Invest | |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | CMC Invest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Bestinvest | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Bestinvest | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £50 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144.75 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £119.40 - £179.40 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £238.20 - £357.60 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £654 - £714 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £60 or £120 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £100 - £1,000 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £120 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £4.95 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £4.95 | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | £0 |
| Broker Screenshots | Bestinvest | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Bestinvest | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Bestinvest | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Education | Bestinvest | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Bestinvest | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Education |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | CMC Invest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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