Compare › AvaTrade vs CMC Markets — Canada
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026
AvaTrade vs CMC Markets: A Detailed Comparison for Canadian Traders
Which broker is better for Canada traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
AvaTrade
CBI · ASIC · JFSA · Founded 2006
VS
CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS · Founded 1989
Quick Verdict — Canada Traders
Best Overall
AvaTrade
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
CMC Markets
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
AvaTrade
Swap-free for Canada Muslims
Best for Beginners
AvaTrade
Better education & support
$100 vs $0
Min deposit
1:400 vs 1:1
Max leverage
CBI vs FCA
Top regulator
4.3 vs 4.2
Our scores
Table of Contents
For Canadian traders seeking a reliable online broker, AvaTrade and CMC Markets are two established international names. Both offer access to global markets, but they differ significantly in regulation, pricing, platform technology, and account features. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading needs in Canada.
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Overall Scores Comparison
AvaTrade
CBI · ASIC · JFSA
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS
4.2
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
4.4
4.3
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
4.5
3.9
Regulation
Safety, oversight
4.6
4.5
Deposits
Local payments
4.4
4.3
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
4.1
4.0
Education
Webinars, guides
4.4
4.3
Execution
Speed, slippage
4.4
4.0
Mobile App
iOS, Android
4.3
4.2
💹
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | AvaTrade | CMC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | CMC Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | CMC Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | CMC Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | CMC Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | CMC Markets |
📂
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | AvaTrade | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
⚖️
Leverage Comparison - Canada Traders
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:1 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:1 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for Canada Traders
Traders in Canada typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | AvaTrade | CMC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | CMC Markets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
🖥️
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | AvaTrade | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | AvaTrade | CMC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | CMC Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for Canada Traders
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Canada traders may differ by entity.
💳
Deposits & Withdrawals for Canada
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days | 5 business days |
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Canada Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | CMC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
📱
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | CMC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | AvaTrade | CMC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
⭐
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
⚖️
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
AvaTrade
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
CMC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Canada Guide
Choose AvaTrade if you...
Are a beginner trader in Canada
Want TradingView integration
Have less than $200 to start
Want FCA regulation
Choose CMC Markets if you...
Are a beginner trader in Canada
Are a scalper or EA trader
Need PAMM/MAM accounts
Want True ECN regulation
❓
FAQ - AvaTrade vs CMC Markets in Canada
Are AvaTrade and CMC Markets regulated in Canada? +
Which broker offers lower fees for Canadian traders? +
Can I trade Canadian stocks with both brokers? +
Final Verdict - Canada 2026
AvaTrade wins overall
After comparing 12 categories, AvaTrade comes out ahead for most Canada traders.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of July 2026.
