Quick Verdict — Australia Traders
Best Overall
CMC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Eightcap
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Eightcap
Swap-free for Australia Muslims
Best for Beginners
CMC Markets
Better education & support
Choosing the right online broker is critical for Australian traders, and both CMC Markets and Eightcap are established players in the local market. CMC Markets is a globally listed, long-standing CFD and spread betting provider, while Eightcap is a popular ASIC-regulated broker known for its MetaTrader platforms and competitive pricing. This comparison breaks down their regulatory standing, trading costs, platforms, and account options to help you decide which fits your trading needs in Australia.
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Overall Scores Comparison

CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS
4.2
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS

Eightcap
ASIC · FCA · SCB
4.1
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
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Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | CMC Markets | Eightcap | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Eightcap |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Eightcap |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Eightcap |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Eightcap |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 | CMC Markets |
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | CMC Markets | Eightcap |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 |
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Leverage Comparison - Australia Traders
| Entity / Asset | CMC Markets | Eightcap |
|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:1 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1 | 1:500 |
| 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 Australia Traders
Traders in Australia typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
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Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | CMC Markets | Eightcap | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | CMC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | CMC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | CMC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Eightcap |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
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Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | CMC Markets | Eightcap | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Eightcap |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | CMC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for Australia Traders
| Safety Factor | CMC Markets | Eightcap |
|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| 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 Australia traders may differ by entity.
💳
Deposits & Withdrawals for Australia
| Payment Method | CMC Markets | Eightcap |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 business days | 1 to 2 business days |
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Australia Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | CMC Markets | Eightcap |
|---|
| 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.
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Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | CMC Markets | Eightcap | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | CMC Markets |
| Mobile Feature | CMC Markets | Eightcap | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | CMC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | CMC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | Eightcap |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | CMC Markets | Eightcap | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | CMC Markets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | CMC Markets |
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Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
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Pros & Cons of Each Broker
CMC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
Eightcap
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+TradingView integration
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Australia Guide
Choose CMC Markets if you...
Are a beginner trader in Australia
Want TradingView integration
Have less than $200 to start
Choose Eightcap if you...
Are a beginner trader in Australia
Are a scalper or EA trader
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FAQ - CMC Markets vs Eightcap in Australia
Is CMC Markets or Eightcap safer for Australian traders? +
Which broker offers lower spreads for forex trading in Australia? +
Can I use MetaTrader with CMC Markets and Eightcap? +
Final Verdict - Australia 2026
CMC Markets wins overall
After comparing 12 categories, CMC Markets comes out ahead for most Australia 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.