Does CMC Markets Offer ISA Accounts? UK Guide 2026

Yes — but with an important distinction. CMC Markets as a CFD and spread betting broker does notoffer an ISA. However, CMC Invest — the separate investing arm of the CMC Markets Group — offers a full suite of ISA products including a Stocks and Shares ISA, a flexible Cash ISA, and a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension). Understanding which CMC entity you are dealing with is essential before you invest a single penny of your annual £20,000 ISA allowance.

Table of Contents

1. CMC Markets vs CMC Invest: Understanding the Difference
2. What ISA Accounts Does CMC Invest Offer?
3. CMC Invest Stocks and Shares ISA: Full Breakdown
4. CMC Invest Cash ISA: Rates, Flexibility, and Rules
5. CMC Invest SIPP: For Long-Term Retirement Planning
6. CMC Invest Pricing Plans: What Does an ISA Cost?
7. ISA Allowance Rules for UK Investors in 2026/27
8. FSCS Protection and FCA Regulation
9. How CMC Invest’s ISA Compares to Competitors
10. Who Should Open a CMC Invest ISA?
11. How to Open a CMC Invest ISA: Step-by-Step
12. Transferring an Existing ISA to CMC Invest
13. Key Limitations to Be Aware Of
14. Frequently Asked Questions

CMC Markets vs CMC Invest: Understanding the Difference  

This is the single most important thing to grasp before you go any further. Many UK investors search for “CMC Markets ISA” and end up confused because there are two distinct products operating under the CMC umbrella:

CMC Markets is the established CFD, spread betting, and forex trading platform founded in 1989 and listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: CMCX). It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and caters to active traders who want leveraged exposure to financial markets. Because CFDs and spread bets are derivative instruments, they cannot be held inside an ISA wrapper under HMRC rules. So if you are using CMC Markets’ Next Generation platform or MT4 account specifically for CFD or spread betting activity, you will not find an ISA option — and that is by design. You can read a detailed breakdown of CMC Markets’ trading conditions and fee structure in our CMC Markets review.

CMC Invest, on the other hand, is the investing arm of the CMC Markets Group, launched in the UK in 2022. It is a separate company — CMC Markets Investments Ltd — regulated by the FCA under reference number 948126. CMC Invest is designed for longer-term, non-leveraged investing in real shares, ETFs, mutual funds, and investment trusts. Crucially, it does offer ISA accounts: a Stocks and Shares ISA, a flexible Cash ISA, and a SIPP.

The practical upshot for UK investors: if your goal is tax-efficient, long-term investing through an ISA, you need CMC Invest, not CMC Markets’ trading platform. Both operate under the same FTSE 250 parent company and share the CMC brand, but they are distinct regulated entities with different account structures, fee models, and investment purposes.

What ISA Accounts Does CMC Invest Offer?  

CMC Invest currently offers three tax-efficient account types that are available to UK residents:

1. Stocks and Shares ISA — A flexible ISA wrapper that lets you invest in UK and US equities, ETFs, and mutual funds with no capital gains tax (CGT) or income tax on dividends or profits. Available on the Plus plan (£6.99/month) or higher.
2. Cash ISA — A flexible savings account earning tax-free interest. Available to all plan tiers, including the free Core plan. Currently offering a variable rate of 3.69% AER. The “flexible” designation means you can withdraw and re-deposit in the same tax year without affecting your remaining annual ISA allowance.
3. SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) — A personal pension plan offering tax relief on contributions. Available exclusively on the Premium plan (£10.99/month). Annual tax-free allowance of up to £60,000 depending on your taxable income, administered in partnership with Quai Investment Services Limited (FCA reference 922590).

All three account types sit within the CMC Invest app, which is available on iOS and Android.

CMC Invest Stocks and Shares ISA: Full Breakdown  

The CMC Invest Stocks and Shares ISA is the most widely used of the three ISA products, and for good reason. Here is what UK investors need to know:

Investment Universe

CMC Invest’s Stocks and Shares ISA gives you access to a broad range of assets:

• UK shares: Large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and AIM-listed stocks
• US shares: Over 3,000 US-listed equities
• ETFs: More than 400 exchange-traded funds across a variety of asset classes and geographies
• Investment Trusts: A selection of UK-listed investment companies
• Mutual Funds: Over 1,000 unit trusts and OEICs (available on Plus and Premium plans)

This is a reasonably broad investment universe for an app-based ISA platform, particularly the AIM share access, which is not always available on newer investment apps. Access to AIM shares is significant for UK investors interested in Business Property Relief (BPR) strategies or simply seeking exposure to smaller British companies.

Commission and Trading Fees

CMC Invest offers commission-free trading on all in-app transactions. There are no dealing charges when you buy or sell shares, ETFs, or funds within your Stocks and Shares ISA. This is one of the platform’s most competitive features, putting it alongside commission-free competitors such as Trading 212 and Freetrade.

Foreign exchange (FX) fees apply when trading non-GBP-denominated instruments such as US equities. The FX fee rate varies by plan: higher-tier plans benefit from reduced FX costs. This is worth factoring in if you intend to hold a significant proportion of US stocks in your ISA.

Tax Treatment

Within the Stocks and Shares ISA wrapper:

• Capital gains: Fully sheltered from Capital Gains Tax (CGT), regardless of how much profit you realise
• Dividends: No UK income tax on dividends received
• Interest: Any interest income from fixed income holdings is tax-free

For higher and additional rate taxpayers in particular, the ISA wrapper is extremely valuable. In the 2026/27 tax year, the annual CGT exemption for individuals remains at £3,000, making the ISA’s CGT shelter particularly important for investors holding appreciated positions.

Uninvested Cash Interest

CMC Invest pays interest on uninvested cash held in your Stocks and Shares ISA. The rate depends on your plan tier. Plus and Premium customers earn a meaningfully higher rate on idle GBP balances than Core customers. If you regularly invest in lump sums and carry a cash balance between deployments, the interest income — sheltered within the ISA — adds incremental return.

CMC Invest Cash ISA: Rates, Flexibility, and Rules  

The CMC Invest Cash ISA is available to all customers, including those on the free Core plan, making it accessible without any monthly subscription cost.

Current Interest Rate

As of May 2026, CMC Invest’s Cash ISA pays 3.69% AER (variable). This is a competitive rate relative to traditional high street banks, although some specialist savings platforms and challenger banks may offer higher rates at certain times. The rate is variable, meaning it can change in response to Bank of England base rate decisions.

Flexibility: What Does It Actually Mean?

CMC Invest markets its Cash ISA as “flexible.” Under UK ISA rules, a Flexible ISA allows you to withdraw funds and replace them within the same tax year without the replacement counting against your annual £20,000 allowance. Standard (non-flexible) ISAs do not allow this — once you withdraw, that portion of your allowance is permanently used up for that tax year.

Example: You deposit £15,000 into a CMC Invest Cash ISA in April. In August you need to access £5,000, so you withdraw it. With a flexible ISA, you can re-deposit that £5,000 later in the same tax year without it consuming additional ISA allowance. A standard ISA would permanently use up £5,000 of your £20,000 allowance even after withdrawal.

This flexibility is a genuine advantage for savers who may need to access funds temporarily.

Minimum Deposit

The minimum deposit into the CMC Invest Cash ISA is just £1. There is no requirement to lock funds away for a fixed term — this is an instant-access Cash ISA with no fixed-rate penalties.

ISA Transfers In

You can transfer an existing Cash ISA (or Stocks and Shares ISA) from another provider into CMC Invest using the in-app transfer process. CMC Invest claims the transfer can be initiated in as little as 30 seconds via the app, with progress tracking throughout. Important caveat: if you are transferring out of a fixed-rate ISA before its maturity date, your current provider may charge an early withdrawal penalty — this is your current provider’s fee, not CMC Invest’s.

CMC Invest SIPP: For Long-Term Retirement Planning  

The CMC Invest SIPP is available exclusively to Premium plan customers (£10.99/month) and is administered in partnership with Quai Investment Services Limited, which is the pensions operator and administrator.

Key SIPP Features

• Annual allowance: Up to £60,000 per tax year, depending on your earnings (or 100% of your UK earnings, whichever is lower)
• Tax relief: Basic-rate tax relief is claimed automatically; higher-rate taxpayers can claim additional relief through their Self Assessment tax return
• Tax-free lump sum: At retirement (currently from age 57 under planned pension reforms), you can take up to 25% of your pension pot as a tax-free lump sum
• Investment access: Same investment universe as the Stocks and Shares ISA — UK and US shares, ETFs, and funds
• Pension consolidation: You can transfer existing pension pots from previous employers into CMC Invest’s SIPP via the in-app transfer tool

A Note on SIPP Customer Reviews

It is worth highlighting that CMC Invest has received some negative reviews specifically regarding SIPP administration — particularly around drawdown payments and communication during issues. These reviews appear to relate primarily to the Quai Investment Services partnership rather than CMC Invest’s core investing platform. If you are approaching retirement and relying on regular drawdown payments, it is prudent to research this aspect thoroughly before consolidating your pensions.

CMC Invest Pricing Plans: What Does an ISA Cost?  

This is arguably the most important practical consideration for UK investors evaluating CMC Invest. Unlike some competitors, CMC Invest uses a subscription model:

The Plus plan at £6.99/month (or £83.88/year) is required to access the Stocks and Shares ISA. For investors with larger portfolios, this flat monthly fee is competitively priced — it is significantly cheaper than percentage-based platform fees charged by providers like Hargreaves Lansdown or AJ Bell on larger balances. However, for small investors contributing modest monthly amounts, £6.99/month represents a proportionally high annual fee.

Break-even analysis: If you are investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA to avoid capital gains tax, the £83.88 annual fee makes economic sense once your expected annual gains would exceed that amount. For most investors building a long-term portfolio, this threshold is reached at a relatively modest portfolio size.

Promotional offers are periodically available — CMC Invest has run offers giving new customers the Plus plan free for the first three months. Always check the current offer on the CMC Invest website before signing up.

ISA Allowance Rules for UK Investors in 2026/27  

Before opening any ISA, it is worth refreshing on the current HMRC rules governing ISAs in the United Kingdom:

Annual ISA Allowance: £20,000 per person for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027). This allowance is shared across all ISA types you hold.

Multiple ISAs: Under rules that came into effect in April 2024, UK residents can now open and contribute to multiple ISAs of the same type in the same tax year — provided the total contributions across all ISAs do not exceed £20,000. Previously, you were restricted to one ISA of each type per tax year.

ISA Types and Split: Your £20,000 can be spread across a Stocks and Shares ISA, Cash ISA, Innovative Finance ISA, and Lifetime ISA (LISA). The LISA has its own annual limit of £4,000, which counts toward the overall £20,000 allowance.

Unused Allowance: Any unused ISA allowance cannot be carried forward to the next tax year. Use it or lose it by 5 April each year.

Junior ISA (JISA): If you have children, the Junior ISA allowance is separate at £9,000 per child per tax year. CMC Invest does not currently offer a JISA.

Residency Requirement: You must be a UK resident to open and contribute to an ISA. Non-UK residents cannot open new ISAs or make new contributions.

FSCS Protection and FCA Regulation  

For UK investors, regulatory protection is non-negotiable. Here is how CMC Invest’s protections stack up:

FCA Authorisation: CMC Invest is a trading name of CMC Markets Investments Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under reference number 948126. FCA regulation means the firm must meet strict capital adequacy requirements, segregate client money from company funds, and adhere to the FCA’s Consumer Duty obligations.

FSCS Protection: Your investments held with CMC Invest are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person in the event that CMC Invest becomes insolvent. For investors holding larger portfolios, it is worth knowing that this limit applies per firm — holding assets across multiple FCA-regulated platforms can provide additional FSCS coverage.

Client Money Segregation: Under FCA rules (CASS), CMC Invest is required to hold client money in segregated accounts, separate from the company’s own funds. This provides a layer of protection should the firm face financial difficulty.

Parent Company: CMC Markets plc is a FTSE 250 company listed on the London Stock Exchange, with over 2 million customers globally. The group has been operating in the UK financial services sector since 1989. The institutional stability of the parent company provides additional comfort for long-term investors.

How CMC Invest’s ISA Compares to Competitors  

To understand whether CMC Invest’s ISA is right for you, it helps to see how it stacks up against the key alternatives in the UK market. Our top stock brokers guide provides a broader comparison, but here is a focused ISA comparison:

CMC Invest vs Trading 212

Trading 212 offers a free Stocks and Shares ISA with no monthly subscription — a clear advantage for smaller investors. Trading 212 also supports fractional shares, allowing you to invest precise pound amounts (e.g., exactly £100) in any stock or ETF. CMC Invest does not offer fractional shares, which means investment amounts must cover the cost of whole shares. For smaller regular investors using pound-cost averaging, this is a material limitation. CMC Invest’s advantage lies in its broader mutual fund access and the Cash ISA offering within the same platform. Read our analysis of CMC Markets fractional share conditions for a detailed breakdown of this limitation.

CMC Invest vs Hargreaves Lansdown

Hargreaves Lansdown is the UK’s largest investment platform and offers a comprehensive Stocks and Shares ISA with a wide range of investment choices, excellent research tools, and strong customer service. HL charges a percentage-based platform fee (0.45% per year on the first £250,000 in an ISA), which is more expensive than CMC Invest’s flat £6.99/month for investors with larger portfolios above roughly £22,000. For smaller investors, HL’s fees are lower in absolute terms. HL does not offer commission-free trading — dealing charges apply (£11.95 per trade for occasional traders, down to £5.95/trade for frequent traders).

CMC Invest vs Freetrade

Freetrade offers a commission-free Stocks and Shares ISA. Like CMC Invest, it uses a subscription model — its Standard plan with ISA access costs £4.99/month, slightly cheaper than CMC Invest’s Plus plan at £6.99/month. Freetrade’s investment universe is smaller, with no mutual fund access. CMC Invest’s broader fund range and the ability to hold a Cash ISA in the same account makes it more versatile for investors who want both stocks and savings in one place.

CMC Invest vs Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers UK offers a Stocks and Shares ISA and Junior ISA alongside professional-grade trading tools. IBKR’s LITE plan (for smaller investors) has no monthly account fee, and trading commissions on UK shares are competitive. For sophisticated investors who want access to a wider range of global markets including options, futures, and bonds within an ISA, IBKR may offer more depth. CMC Invest’s advantage is simplicity — the app-first experience is considerably more intuitive for everyday investors.

CMC Invest vs eToro

eToro offers a commission-free Stocks and Shares ISA with fractional share investing and a social trading element. eToro’s Cash ISA, powered by Moneyfarm, currently offers a higher interest rate than CMC Invest’s Cash ISA. For investors who want social features (copy trading, trading insights from other investors), eToro has an edge. CMC Invest’s strength is its broader UK-share coverage and the mutual fund access on higher plans.

Who Should Open a CMC Invest ISA?

CMC Invest’s ISA offering suits specific types of UK investor better than others. Here is an honest assessment:

Good fit for:

• Investors with growing portfolios (£15,000+) who want to avoid CGT and would benefit from flat monthly fees rather than percentage-based charges
• Investors who want Cash ISA and Stocks and Shares ISA in one app, avoiding the admin of managing multiple platforms
• Regular savers using lump-sum investing rather than small monthly amounts (the lack of fractional shares is less impactful for those investing in round lots)
• Investors interested in mutual funds — the 1,000+ mutual fund range is broader than most commission-free competitors
• Tax-conscious investors approaching capital gains thresholds who need a reliable ISA wrapper

Less suitable for:

• Small monthly investors (£50–£200/month) — the absence of fractional shares means some cash will always sit uninvested, and the £6.99/month subscription represents a high proportional cost on small investments
• Investors focused on passive, low-cost ETF investing only — free alternatives like Trading 212 or Freetrade offer ISAs without a monthly fee
• Those needing retirement drawdown imminently — some CMC Invest SIPP customers have reported administration issues around drawdown payments; review this carefully
• Investors wanting a Junior ISA — CMC Invest does not currently offer a JISA

How to Open a CMC Invest ISA: Step-by-Step  

Opening a CMC Invest ISA is entirely app-based. There is currently no desktop web application for account management — the CMC Invest platform is mobile-first.

Step 1: Download the CMC Invest app Available on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play). Search for “CMC Invest” — note this is distinct from the “CMC Markets” trading app.

Step 2: Create an account You will need to provide your personal details including full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and residential address. CMC Invest will run standard identity verification (KYC) checks in line with FCA anti-money laundering (AML) requirements.

Step 3: Choose your plan Select the Core (free), Plus (£6.99/month), or Premium (£10.99/month) plan. To access the Stocks and Shares ISA, you must select Plus or higher.

Step 4: Open your ISA Once your account is verified and your plan is selected, open your ISA from within the app. You can open both a Cash ISA and a Stocks and Shares ISA in the same session.

Step 5: Fund your ISA The minimum deposit is £1. You can fund via debit card. Contributions up to your £20,000 annual allowance can be made in the same tax year.

Step 6: Start investing Browse the investment catalogue by asset type, geography, or sector. For your Stocks and Shares ISA, search for UK shares, US equities, ETFs, or funds. All trades within the ISA are commission-free.

Transferring an Existing ISA to CMC Invest  

If you hold an existing ISA with another provider — whether a Cash ISA or Stocks and Shares ISA — you can transfer it to CMC Invest without losing your ISA status or affecting your current year’s allowance.

Important rules around ISA transfers:

• You must use the official ISA transfer process (initiated via CMC Invest’s app) rather than withdrawing cash and re-depositing it. Withdrawing and re-depositing would count as a new subscription and consume ISA allowance.
• Transfers from previous tax years do not affect your current year’s £20,000 allowance.
• If transferring a current year’s ISA, the entire current-year subscription must be transferred (partial current-year transfers are not permitted under HMRC rules).
• Transferring a fixed-rate ISA before its maturity date may incur penalties charged by your existing provider, not CMC Invest.

CMC Invest’s in-app transfer tool handles the logistics of the transfer on your behalf, liaising directly with your current provider. The timeline varies by provider — most ISA transfers in the UK are expected to complete within 15 working days for cash transfers, though in-specie transfers (where investments are moved without being sold) typically take longer.

Key Limitations to Be Aware Of  

In the interest of a balanced, honest assessment, here are the notable limitations of CMC Invest’s ISA offering that UK investors should factor into their decision:

No fractional shares: You can only purchase whole units of shares or ETFs. If you invest £100 into a share priced at £76.50, you buy one share and £23.50 sits as uninvested cash. For pound-cost-averaging investors making small regular contributions, this creates persistent cash drag. Platforms like Trading 212, eToro, and Freetrade offer fractional shares and avoid this problem. See our detailed analysis at CMC Markets fractional share conditions.

App-only platform: CMC Invest has no full-featured web browser interface. If you prefer managing investments on a desktop, this is a significant limitation compared to providers like Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, or Interactive Brokers.

Subscription required for Stocks and Shares ISA: The £6.99/month Plus subscription is necessary. For portfolios below approximately £15,000–£20,000, percentage-based fee platforms may be more cost-effective.

Limited research tools: Unlike established platforms such as Hargreaves Lansdown, Fidelity, or AJ Bell, CMC Invest’s research offering is relatively limited. Content is provided in partnership with Finimize, but there are no analyst opinions, in-depth equity research reports, or webinars.

SIPP administration concerns: A notable minority of user reviews on Trustpilot specifically flag issues with SIPP drawdown and pension administration. If you are in or approaching drawdown, research this carefully.

No ready-made portfolios: CMC Invest does not offer managed or ready-made investment portfolios. You must select and manage your own investments. For new investors who want a hands-off approach, platforms like Vanguard, Nutmeg, or Moneyfarm may be more appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions  

Does CMC Markets offer a Stocks and Shares ISA?

CMC Markets (the CFD and spread betting platform) does not offer a Stocks and Shares ISA. CMC Invest, the separate investing arm of the CMC Markets Group, does offer a Stocks and Shares ISA, available on the Plus plan at £6.99/month.

Does CMC Markets offer a Cash ISA?

CMC Invest offers a flexible Cash ISA currently paying 3.69% AER (variable). This is available on all plan tiers, including the free Core plan.

Is CMC Invest covered by the FSCS?

Yes. CMC Invest is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Client assets are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person in the event of insolvency.

Can I transfer my existing ISA to CMC Invest?

Yes. You can transfer a Cash ISA, Stocks and Shares ISA, or Innovative Finance ISA from another provider to CMC Invest via the in-app transfer process. The transfer preserves your ISA status and does not affect your current year’s allowance.

What is the CMC Invest ISA allowance?

The annual ISA allowance is set by HMRC at £20,000 for the 2026/27 tax year. This is shared across all ISA types you hold. CMC Invest’s annual ISA allowance is the same as all UK ISA providers — the £20,000 limit is a statutory cap, not a platform-specific one.

Does CMC Invest charge dealing commissions within an ISA?

No. All in-app trades within the CMC Invest Stocks and Shares ISA are commission-free. Foreign exchange (FX) fees may apply when trading non-GBP-denominated assets such as US equities.

Can I hold both a Cash ISA and Stocks and Shares ISA with CMC Invest?

Yes. CMC Invest allows you to hold both a Cash ISA and a Stocks and Shares ISA within the same account, subject to your plan and the overall £20,000 annual allowance being shared between them.

Does CMC Invest offer a Junior ISA?

No. CMC Invest does not currently offer a Junior ISA (JISA). If you are looking for a JISA, providers such as Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, and Halifax Share Dealing offer this product.

Can I use CMC Invest on a desktop computer?

CMC Invest is a mobile-first platform with iOS and Android apps. A full-featured desktop web browser interface is not currently available.

What happens to my CMC Invest ISA if I move abroad?

Under HMRC rules, you cannot open a new ISA or make new contributions once you become non-UK resident. However, your existing ISA retains its tax-efficient status — the ISA wrapper remains intact; you simply cannot add to it while non-resident.

Final Verdict: Is CMC Invest’s ISA Worth It for UK Investors?

CMC Invest’s ISA offering represents solid value for the right type of UK investor — particularly those with growing portfolios who want commission-free trading, mutual fund access, and the convenience of holding both a Cash ISA and Stocks and Shares ISA in a single app.

The platform’s biggest shortcoming is the absence of fractional shares, which puts it at a disadvantage versus Trading 212, eToro, and Freetrade for small monthly investors. The subscription model (£6.99/month for ISA access) is also a consideration for newer investors just starting out.

That said, for investors building or consolidating a meaningful ISA portfolio — particularly those who also want access to UK AIM shares and a broad mutual fund range — CMC Invest is a legitimate, well-regulated choice backed by a FTSE 250 parent company with decades of UK financial services history.

Before making your decision, it is worth using our broker comparison tools to evaluate CMC Invest alongside the full range of UK ISA platforms. Our top stock brokers guide covers over 100 reviewed platforms with verified fee data. If you are also interested in CMC Markets’ CFD and spread betting products, you can find a full cost breakdown in our CMC Markets fees analysis and a head-to-head comparison in our Forex.com vs CMC Markets review.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74–89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. Capital at risk when investing.

CMC Invest is a trading name of CMC Markets Investments Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA reference: 948126). Registered in England and Wales. FSCS protection applies up to £85,000.