CM
CMC Markets
4.0 / 5Score: 4 / 5
A veteran, multi-regulated broker offering commission-free trading with zero minimum deposit and a genuinely diverse market lineup.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0.7 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, ASIC, MAS
Reviewed by Experts Updated 8/28/2026
CMC Markets vs Aetos Capital: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
CMC Markets and Aetos Capital both appeal to active traders, but they take very different approaches to fees, regulation, and platform design. Our proprietary rating puts CMC Markets ahead overall at 4.0/5 versus Aetos Capital's 3.4/5, though Aetos Capital fights back hard on raw spread pricing.
AC
Aetos Capital
3.4 / 5Score: 1 / 5
A MetaTrader-focused broker built around razor-thin raw spreads for cost-conscious, high-volume traders.
- Min deposit
- $50
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, FCA
Overall Winner
CMC Markets
Best for Beginners
CMC Markets
Lowest Fees
Aetos Capital
Top Regulation
CMC Markets
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | CM CMC Markets | AC Aetos Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Founded | 1989 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Sydney, Australia |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, MAS | ASIC, FCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | $3.5/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MT4 | MT4, MT5 |
| Markets Offered | Cfd, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
CMC Markets
$0
Aetos Capital
$50
Spreads From
CMC Markets
0.7 pips
Aetos Capital
0 pips
Commission
CMC Markets
None
Aetos Capital
$3.5/lot
Deposit Fees
CMC Markets
None
Aetos Capital
None
Withdrawal Fees
CMC Markets
None
Aetos Capital
None
Pros & cons
CM
CMC Markets
Pros
- Higher overall rating on our independent scoring system at 4.0/5
- Zero minimum deposit removes the barrier to entry entirely
- No per-trade commission simplifies cost calculations
- Backed by three tier-1 regulators for stronger oversight
- Long operating history dating back to 1989
- Broader market access including direct stock trading
- Choice between proprietary platforms and MT4
Cons
- Starting spread of 0.7 pips is wider than some low-cost competitors
- No MT5 support for traders wanting the newer MetaTrader version
- Proprietary platform learning curve for traders coming from other brokers
AC
Aetos Capital
Pros
- Tighter starting spreads at 0.0 pips versus CMC Markets' 0.7 pips
- Access to both MT4 and MT5 platforms
- Regulated by two tier-1 authorities, ASIC and FCA
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Straightforward MetaTrader-based trading experience
Cons
- Lower overall rating on our independent scoring system at 3.4/5
- Charges a $3.5 per lot commission on top of spreads
- Requires a $50 minimum deposit versus competitors offering $0
- One fewer tier-1 regulatory licence than CMC Markets
- No proprietary platform or direct stock trading access
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner CMC Markets
Lowest fees Aetos Capital
Best regulation CMC Markets
Better for beginners CMC Markets
CMC Markets is our top pick in this matchup, earning 4.0/5 on our rating scale compared to Aetos Capital's 3.4/5. CMC Markets wins on regulatory depth (FCA, ASIC, and MAS licences), a $0 minimum deposit, and a more diverse market lineup that includes stocks and a broader crypto offering. Aetos Capital's strongest card is pricing — spreads from 0.0 pips undercut CMC Markets' 0.7 pip starting spread — making it a reasonable pick for high-frequency scalpers who prioritize raw cost above all else. For most traders, however, CMC Markets' combination of safety, accessibility, and platform variety makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Regulation & Safety
CMC Markets is regulated by three tier-1 authorities — the FCA, ASIC, and MAS — giving it one of the more robust oversight structures in this comparison. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in London, CMC Markets has decades of operating history behind its licensing record.
Aetos Capital, founded in 2013 and based in Sydney, holds licences from ASIC and FCA. That's still a respectable two tier-1 regulators, but it's one fewer than CMC Markets, and the absence of an MAS licence narrows Aetos Capital's regulatory footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
For traders who weight capital safety heavily, CMC Markets' additional licence and longer track record give it a clear edge in this category.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
This is where Aetos Capital claws back ground. Its spreads start from 0.0 pips, undercutting CMC Markets' 0.7 pip starting spread on a pure pricing basis. However, Aetos Capital charges a commission of $3.5 per lot, while CMC Markets charges no per-trade commission at all.
That means the real-world cost comparison depends heavily on trading volume and style. Scalpers and high-frequency traders who value ultra-tight raw spreads may still come out ahead with Aetos Capital despite the added commission, while casual or swing traders may prefer CMC Markets' commission-free, wider-spread model for simplicity.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome shared trait. Both also offer maximum leverage of 1:500, so leverage availability isn't a differentiator here.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
CMC Markets requires no minimum deposit at all, making it significantly more accessible to beginners or traders who want to test the platform with a small initial stake.
Aetos Capital requires a $50 minimum deposit. That's still a low barrier to entry by industry standards, but it's a real difference for cost-conscious or first-time traders comparing the two side by side.
On accessibility alone, CMC Markets is the more welcoming option for newcomers to the market.
Trading Platforms & Tools
CMC Markets offers a proprietary web platform, a proprietary mobile app, and MetaTrader 4 support — giving traders a choice between an in-house, feature-rich interface and the familiar MT4 environment.
Aetos Capital sticks to the MetaTrader family exclusively, supporting both MT4 and MT5. This is a strong choice for traders already comfortable in the MetaTrader ecosystem and who value MT5's expanded order types and asset class support.
Traders who want a modern proprietary charting and web-trading experience alongside MetaTrader access will likely lean toward CMC Markets, while committed MetaTrader users may find Aetos Capital's dual MT4/MT5 support perfectly sufficient.
Market Range & Product Variety
CMC Markets covers CFDs, forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto — notably including direct stock trading, which broadens its appeal beyond pure derivatives traders.
Aetos Capital covers forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto, but does not list standalone stocks among its offerings, making its lineup slightly narrower in comparison.
For traders who want a single account to access equities alongside forex and CFDs, CMC Markets offers more flexibility.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets earns the higher overall rating in our independent assessment — 4.0/5 versus Aetos Capital's 3.4/5 — thanks to its stronger regulatory stack, zero minimum deposit, commission-free pricing, and wider market range. It's the more well-rounded broker for the majority of traders, from beginners to intermediate active traders.
Aetos Capital remains a viable alternative for cost-sensitive, high-volume traders who prioritize tight raw spreads and are already comfortable navigating a commission-per-lot fee structure within the MetaTrader ecosystem.
Ultimately, the right choice comes down to priorities: choose CMC Markets for safety, accessibility, and platform variety, or choose Aetos Capital if minimizing spread cost on high-frequency trades is your top concern.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
CMC Markets wins overall
CMC Markets edges out Aetos Capital overall based on our expert rating score.
CM
Highest Rated
CMC Markets
4.0 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (4/5).
CMC MarketsBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
CMC MarketsLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Aetos CapitalStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
CMC Markets
Frequently asked questions
CMC Markets comes out ahead on our independent rating system, scoring 4.0/5 compared to Aetos Capital's 3.4/5. The gap comes largely from CMC Markets' stronger regulatory coverage, zero minimum deposit, and wider market range. That said, Aetos Capital remains competitive on raw spread pricing, so your ideal pick depends on what you value most as a trader.
It depends on your trading style. Aetos Capital advertises spreads from 0.0 pips but adds a $3.5 per lot commission, while CMC Markets starts spreads at 0.7 pips with no commission at all. High-volume scalpers may find Aetos Capital cheaper overall, while casual traders often benefit from CMC Markets' simpler commission-free structure.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit requirement, meaning you can open an account and start funding it with virtually any amount. Aetos Capital requires a $50 minimum deposit, which is still low by industry standards but noticeably higher than CMC Markets' zero-dollar threshold.
CMC Markets is regulated by three tier-1 authorities — the FCA, ASIC, and MAS — while Aetos Capital is regulated by two, ASIC and FCA. Both are credible regulatory setups, but CMC Markets' additional licence and longer operating history since 1989 give it a slight edge in perceived safety.
CMC Markets offers its own proprietary web and mobile platforms alongside MetaTrader 4 support. Aetos Capital instead focuses exclusively on the MetaTrader ecosystem, supporting both MT4 and MT5. Your choice may hinge on whether you prefer a proprietary interface or the familiarity of MetaTrader software.
CMC Markets supports direct stock trading alongside CFDs, forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. Aetos Capital's market lineup covers forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto, but does not include standalone stock trading, making CMC Markets the better option for equity-focused traders.
Yes, nothing prevents you from maintaining accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders intentionally diversify across multiple platforms to take advantage of different pricing structures, platform tools, or market access depending on the trade they're placing.
Both brokers offer identical maximum leverage of 1:500, so leverage availability is not a differentiating factor between the two. Your decision should instead hinge on factors like fees, regulation, minimum deposit, and platform preference.
No. Both CMC Markets and Aetos Capital charge no deposit fees and no withdrawal fees, making funding and cashing out equally straightforward on either platform.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.