Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs CMC Invest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Your capital is at risk.
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, XTB offers better pricing than CMC Invest for share dealing.
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.
Comparing investment choices for UK investors: both XTB and CMC Invest let you buy and sell shares and ETFs, and neither supports crypto, corporate bonds, gilts, or adviser services. XTB offers CFD trading, while CMC Invest does not. CMC Invest offers funds and investment trusts, which XTB doesn’t. Spread betting isn’t listed for either provider.
As rated by UK.StockBrokers.com, XTB scores 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks 13th out of 21 for Investment Choices, while CMC Invest scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 14th. If you need CFDs, XTB is the pick; if you prefer funds or investment trusts, CMC Invest is the better fit.
| Feature |
XTB
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Comparing XTB vs CMC Invest for trading tools in the UK: XTB clearly leads on charting. It lets you display corporate events (earnings, splits, dividends) on charts, add notes, and apply both index and stock overlays. XTB also includes 4 drawing tools and 13 technical indicators, while CMC Invest currently offers none of these charting features.
On platforms and data, XTB provides a browser-based trading platform and real-time market data. CMC Invest also provides real-time market data and stands out for price alerts on shares, but it lacks a browser-based platform. If you prioritise deep charting, XTB may fit better; if price alerts are key, CMC Invest covers that need.
| Feature |
XTB
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 13 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 4 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
For UK investors evaluating retirement account options, both XTB and CMC Invest offer ISA accounts, allowing you to save and invest tax-efficiently. While XTB provides this popular investment option, it lacks SIPP accounts, which are a versatile retirement savings choice. In contrast, CMC Invest not only offers ISA accounts but also provides SIPP options, catering to those looking for flexible pension solutions. These differences might influence your decision, depending on whether a broader range of retirement accounts is important to your financial planning strategy.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
UK investors comparing mobile trading apps will find that both XTB and CMC Invest offer iPhone (iOS) and Android apps. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, XTB’s app is higher rated at 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks 6th out of 21 brokers, while CMC Invest’s app holds 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks 11th. Both enable on-the-go trading across iOS and Android, but XTB takes the lead for overall mobile app performance in this XTB vs CMC Invest comparison.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
Comparing XTB vs CMC Invest for beginner investor education in the UK, both brokers skip client webinars and on-demand replays and both teach share trading but not funds; only CMC Invest offers retirement education. Despite that, UK.StockBrokers.com scores XTB higher for beginners (4.5/5, 9th of 21) than CMC Invest (2.5/5, 15th of 21), making XTB the stronger pick for learning the basics.
| Feature |
XTB
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | No |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
Comparing XTB vs CMC Invest for market research in the UK: both brokers offer shares and ETF research, but neither provides bond research, fund research reports, or a portfolio allocation by asset class view. The key difference is funds coverage—CMC Invest includes dedicated funds research, while XTB does not. If you focus on shares and ETFs, both platforms cover the basics; if you need insights on funds, CMC Invest has the edge.
| Feature |
XTB
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | No |
Which broker is better overall, XTB or CMC Invest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found XTB to be a better trading platform overall.
XTB has set itself up as a strong competitor in commission-free share trading. Its low fees and solid educational content will make XTB particularly attractive to newer investors. It does not, however, offer an ISA or SIPP.
| Feature |
XTB
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CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Mobile App |
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Both XTB and CMC Invest do not offer crypto trading options to their users.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | CMC Invest | |
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| Review | XTB Review | CMC Invest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £1 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £0 - £250,000 | N/A | £83.88 / £131.88 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | N/A | £83.88 / £131.88 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | N/A | £83.88 / £131.88 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £1m and over | N/A | £83.88 / £131.88 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | N/A | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £0 |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | CMC Invest | |
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| Platforms & Tools | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 13 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 4 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | No |
| Education | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Overall Summary | XTB | CMC Invest | |
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| Review | XTB Review | CMC Invest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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