CMC Markets and GO Markets both attract forex and CFD traders, but they serve very different priorities. Our research puts CMC Markets ahead overall thanks to stronger regulation and easier account access, while GO Markets fights back hard on raw spread pricing.
Three tier-1 regulators, zero minimum deposit, and a 37-year track record — CMC Markets is built for traders who value trust as much as tools.
Ultra-tight 0.1 pip spreads make GO Markets a magnet for cost-conscious, high-volume traders running MetaTrader strategies.
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | CM CMC Markets | GM GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 1989 | 2006 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Melbourne, Australia |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, MAS | ASIC, CySEC |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $200 |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.1 pips |
| Commission | None | $3/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 |
CMC Markets
$0
GO Markets
$200
CMC Markets
0.7 pips
GO Markets
0.1 pips
CMC Markets
None
GO Markets
$3/lot
CMC Markets
None
GO Markets
None
CMC Markets
None
GO Markets
None
CMC Markets is our recommended pick overall, earning a 4.0/5 on our rating system compared to GO Markets's 3.3/5. CMC Markets wins on regulatory depth, holding FCA, ASIC, and MAS licences versus GO Markets's ASIC and CySEC coverage, and it also removes the barrier to entry with a $0 minimum deposit against GO Markets's $200 requirement. GO Markets does claw back ground on raw pricing, advertising spreads from 0.1 pips versus CMC Markets's 0.7 pips, making it the sharper choice for high-frequency and volume-driven traders who prioritize execution cost above all else. For the majority of traders, however, CMC Markets's blend of trust, accessibility, and platform depth makes it the stronger all-around package.
Regulatory strength is often the single most important factor for traders choosing between two brokers, and this is where CMC Markets pulls decisively ahead. CMC Markets is licensed by the FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia, and MAS in Singapore, giving it three tier-1 regulatory bodies overseeing its operations.
GO Markets, by contrast, is regulated by ASIC and CySEC, which is still a respectable regulatory footprint but covers fewer jurisdictions and carries less overall regulatory weight than CMC Markets's three-license structure.
For traders who prioritize capital protection, segregated funds oversight, and the ability to escalate disputes to well-resourced regulators, CMC Markets's broader multi-jurisdictional coverage provides a meaningfully stronger safety net.
This is the category where GO Markets fights back hardest. GO Markets advertises spreads from just 0.1 pips, dramatically tighter than CMC Markets's headline spread of 0.7 pips, making it an attractive option for scalpers and high-frequency traders focused purely on execution cost.
However, GO Markets charges a $3 per lot commission on top of those tight spreads, whereas CMC Markets charges no per-trade commission at all. This means the real-world cost comparison depends heavily on trading volume and strategy — high-volume traders may still find GO Markets cheaper, but casual and swing traders may prefer CMC Markets's simpler, commission-free structure.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome point of parity for cost-conscious traders on both platforms.
CMC Markets requires no minimum deposit at all, making it exceptionally easy for new or cautious traders to open an account and start with whatever capital they feel comfortable committing.
GO Markets, on the other hand, requires a $200 minimum deposit to get started, which is still a modest barrier by industry standards but noticeably higher than CMC Markets's $0 threshold.
For beginners or traders testing a new strategy with smaller capital, CMC Markets's zero-deposit policy removes friction and lowers the psychological barrier to entry significantly.
CMC Markets offers its own Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile platforms alongside MT4 support, giving traders a choice between a feature-rich in-house ecosystem and the familiarity of the industry-standard MetaTrader environment.
GO Markets takes a more streamlined approach, focusing exclusively on MT4 and MT5, which appeals strongly to traders who already have MetaTrader expertise, custom indicators, or automated Expert Advisors built for that ecosystem.
Neither approach is objectively wrong — CMC Markets suits traders who want proprietary charting tools and a polished web experience, while GO Markets suits purists who want nothing but MetaTrader's raw flexibility and automation support.
CMC Markets offers access to CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto, giving traders a genuinely broad product range that includes direct stock exposure alongside derivatives.
GO Markets covers Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto, a solid spread of markets but without the standalone Stocks category that CMC Markets includes.
Traders who want a single account for both traditional equities exposure and derivatives trading will find CMC Markets's product range more comprehensive.
CMC Markets was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in London, UK, giving it an exceptionally long operating history spanning more than three decades in the online trading industry.
GO Markets was founded in 2006 and operates out of Melbourne, Australia, meaning it has a shorter but still well-established track record of nearly two decades in the retail brokerage space.
Longevity isn't everything, but CMC Markets's extended history through multiple market cycles, including the 2008 financial crisis and various volatility shocks, adds a layer of institutional credibility that newer brokers simply haven't had time to build.
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
CMC Markets edges out GO Markets overall based on our expert rating score.
Highest Rated
CMC Markets
4.0 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (4/5).
Better for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Lower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Stronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
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.
