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.
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.
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 - XTB would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
12 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
36 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
120 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
3 fund trades per year - XTB would cost £0 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 comparing the investment offerings of XTB and CMC Invest, UK investors will find several overlaps and distinctions in available choices. Both brokers allow clients to trade shares and ETFs, making them attractive for those interested in these popular investment options. However, XTB stands out with its CFD trading feature, which is not available with CMC Invest. On the other hand, CMC Invest offers funds trading and investment trusts, providing a uniquely curated avenue for diversifying portfolios that XTB does not offer. Neither broker supports trading in cryptos, spread betting, corporate or government bonds, nor do they provide advisor services.
In terms of recognitions, both brokers have earned a 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for their investment choices, reflecting solid user satisfaction. However, they slightly differ in rankings among their peers, with XTB positioned at 13th and CMC Invest at 14th out of 18 brokers. This close competition in rankings suggests that while their investment offerings differ in specifics, their overall appeal to UK investors is similarly high. Whether one should choose XTB or CMC Invest could ultimately depend on individual preferences for specific investment options like CFDs or funds and trusts.
| Feature |
XTB
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | 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.
When comparing the trading tools available with online brokers XTB and CMC Invest, XTB emerges as a clear winner for users who prioritize detailed charting features. XTB provides the ability to display corporate events, like earnings and dividends, directly on their charts, giving traders comprehensive market insights. In contrast, CMC Invest does not support this feature. For those who like to analyze charts meticulously, XTB offers 20 drawing tools and 39 technical indicators, significantly enhancing the ability to perform in-depth technical analysis. CMC Invest, on the other hand, does not offer any drawing tools or technical indicators. Moreover, XTB allows traders to add personal notes to charts—a feature absent in CMC Invest's offerings.
Both platforms provide real-time market data and the ability to create alerts for stock price updates, catering to traders who need up-to-the-minute information. However, XTB's browser-based trading platform provides additional convenience for users who prefer to manage their trades through a web interface, whereas CMC Invest lacks this functionality. While neither broker offers index or stock overlays on charts, the extra charting features available with XTB make it a more attractive choice for traders seeking a rich and interactive trading experience.
| Feature |
XTB
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | 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.
For UK investors seeking seamless mobile trading experiences, both XTB and CMC Invest provide highly-rated mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Each app is well-regarded, earning impressive 4.5-star ratings from UK.StockBrokers.com. However, when considering overall rankings among 18 brokers, XTB pulls ahead at position #6, while CMC Invest follows at #11. This subtle difference might sway those prioritizing app performance in making investment decisions.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginners eager to dive into the world of investing, both XTB and CMC Invest present varying educational resources. While neither broker offers client webinars, both feature educational content on share trading. CMC Invest provides additional insights into investing in funds and understanding retirement, whereas XTB does not cover these topics. When it comes to beginner education quality, UK.StockBrokers.com gives XTB a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating, placing it at the 9th position out of 18 brokers. CMC Invest, with a respectable 4-star rating, is ranked 15th. Whether seeking comprehensive educational coverage or high-rated beginner guidance, UK investors should weigh these factors before choosing the broker that best aligns with their learning preferences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
For UK investors comparing market research features between XTB and CMC Invest, CMC Invest has an edge in fund research, providing detailed reports that XTB lacks. However, if you're looking to understand your portfolio allocation by asset class, XTB is your go-to, while CMC Invest falls short in this area. Both platforms offer research on shares and ETFs, giving you insights to make informed decisions in those categories. Notably, only XTB provides research on CFDs, leaving bond research absent on both platforms.
| Feature |
XTB
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | 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 |
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CMC Invest
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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 | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| 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) | £0 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | 0 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | 0 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | 0 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | 0 | £120 | |
| 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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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
| Education | XTB | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| 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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