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 investment options, XTB and CMC Invest both offer a commendable range of choices for UK investors. XTB allows share trading, ETF trading, and provides opportunities for CFD trading. Meanwhile, CMC Invest also facilitates share trading and ETF trading, with an additional focus on trading funds and investment trusts. Notably, neither platform supports crypto trading, spread betting, nor trading in bonds, whether corporate or government.
Despite having some differences in available services, both XTB and CMC Invest are rated 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for their investment choices. In terms of rankings among 21 brokers, XTB holds the 13th position, while CMC Invest follows closely at 14th. These ratings indicate that both brokers are well-regarded for their investment offerings, catering to various investor needs.
| 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.
When comparing the mobile offerings of XTB and CMC Invest, both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android devices, making them accessible to users across a wide range of smartphones. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, XTB's mobile app has earned an impressive rating of 4.5 stars, placing it 6th out of 21 brokers for mobile app quality. Similarly, CMC Invest's app also garners a strong 4.5-star rating, but ranks 11th in the same category. This indicates that while both apps are highly rated, XTB edges out in terms of overall ranking for mobile app performance among UK brokers.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the beginner investor educational resources from XTB and CMC Invest, both brokers offer solid foundations but differ in certain aspects. While neither XTB nor CMC Invest provides educational webinars, they both support share trading education. However, CMC Invest goes further by offering resources on funds and retirement, areas that XTB does not cover. Despite this, XTB receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, compared to CMC Invest's 4 stars. Additionally, XTB ranks higher at 9th out of 21 brokers for beginner education, whereas CMC Invest is positioned at 15th, indicating a slightly better reception for XTB's educational offerings in the UK market.
| 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 |
XTB
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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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