City Index Review 2025

Key Takeaways

• City Index was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in London, UK, making it one of the oldest and most established retail brokers in the industry.

• The broker offers access to many platforms, including its own Web Trader, Mobile App, and full support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView integration.

• City Index is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and is part of StoneX Group Inc., a larger NASDAQ-listed financial services firm.

• The broker provides spread betting, CFD trading, and access to physical shares, covering over 6,300 global markets, including FOREX, indices, shares, commodities, metals, and cryptocurrencies.

• City Index deals in three main account types: Standard, MT4, and Professional.

• Spreads are competitive, starting from 0.5 pips on EUR/USD, with zero commissions on most trades.

• The broker also offers commission-based share CFD trading starting from 0.08% or 2 cents per share.

• Educational resources include City Index’s Trading Academy, live webinars, detailed market analysis, as well as news from in-house analysts and Reuters.

• Risk management tools include guaranteed stop-loss orders, customizable alerts, and access to third-party research tools like Trading Central and SMART Signals.

Overall Summary

City Index is a well-established broker with roots stretching back to 1983. It gives traders access to over 6,300 global instruments, including FOREX, indices, commodities, shares, and cryptocurrencies, though all instruments are offered via CFDs, with no real stock or ETF ownership available.

The broker has good platforms, including its own award-winning Web Trader, alongside MT4 and full TradingView integration.

The broker is authorized by the Tier-1 FCA. Negative-balance protection is active in key jurisdictions, and eligible UK clients benefit from the FSCS compensation scheme. Pricing for this broker tends to be competitive, with tight spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD from 0.5 pips, zero commissions on key CFDs, and no deposit or withdrawal fees.

The broker also scores well on education and research, with market analysis, trading ideas, performance analytics, and economic calendars built into the platform.

Is City Index Safe?

Yes, City Index is a well-regulated and safe broker with a long-standing reputation and strong client protections. It is licensed by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), all of which are Tier-1 financial regulators.

How City Index Protects You from Reckless Leverage and Margin Trading

Under these regulatory regimes, City Index clients benefit from such key safeguards as segregated client funds, negative-balance protection (ensuring you can't lose more than your deposit), and, for FCA-regulated users, access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) covering up to £85,000 in case the broker goes bust.

How you are protected

City Index complies with ESMA and ASIC rules for retail clients, meaning leverage is capped at 30:1 for major FOREX pairs, 20:1 for indices, and 2:1 for cryptocurrencies. These limits help prevent inexperienced traders from taking on excessive risk. Higher leverage, up to 400:1, is available for professional margin clients who meet strict eligibility criteria, but such clients waive certain protections, such as negative-balance protection.

Regulation and other security measures

City Index enhances its regulatory framework with platform-side tools such as guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLO), designed to cap your potential losses even in volatile markets. It uses bank-grade encryption and holds client funds in segregated Tier-1 bank accounts

Top broker features

Here are the top broker features that make City Index a strong choice for retail traders:

Trusted global regulation: City Index is licensed by some top-tier regulators.

Commission-free FOREX trading: Retail clients can trade major FOREX pairs without commissions. Most trading costs are embedded in the spread, which can be as low as 0.5 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts.

Advanced trading platforms: Traders can access the award-winning Web Trader, MT4, and TradingView integrations, offering fast execution, rich charting, and professional-grade tools across devices.

Built-in negative-balance protection: Retail clients receive automatic negative-balance protection, so you can’t lose more than your deposited funds.

Premium research and analysis: City Index provides real-time market news, advanced charting, trading signals, and daily insights from its in-house research team and providers like Trading Central.

In-depth educational resources: A dedicated Training Center offers webinars, trading courses, platform tutorials, and strategy guides for both new and experienced traders.

Transparent pricing with no deposit or withdrawal fees: Funding your account is free, and City Index doesn’t charge withdrawal fees.

High-quality mobile app: The City Index mobile app is fully featured, offering watchlists, live pricing, technical indicators, and order management, ideal for trading on the go.

For Whom Is City Index Recommended?

City Index is well-suited to a broad spectrum of traders, from beginners to advanced users seeking a regulated, multi-asset CFD broker with institutional-grade tools. Newer traders will value the intuitive Web Trader platform, free access to TradingView, educational support, and commission-free trading on FOREX. With a low barrier to entry and negative-balance protection in place, it’s a safe environment for those just starting.

More experienced traders will appreciate access to over 13,500 global markets, including stocks, indices, commodities, FOREX, and crypto CFDs, as well as spread betting for UK clients. High-volume or short-term traders can benefit from fast execution speeds, low spreads (from 0.5 pips on EUR/USD), and advanced tools via MT4 or API connectivity.

City Index is perfect for those who want platform variety, tight pricing, and strong regulatory backing. However, since it is a CFD-only broker, it's not recommended for investors seeking real stock or ETF ownership for long-term portfolios.

Here are the pros and cons of using this broker:

Offering of Investments

City Index provides a wide and diverse CFD product lineup, covering everything from FOREX and indices to shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. All instruments are offered as CFDs or spread bets, with no direct ownership of underlying assets. Here’s a breakdown of the financial assets offered by City Index:

FOREX CFDs

City Index gives traders access to 84 FOREX pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics. The broker offers commission-free trading on FOREX with spreads from 0.5 pips on EUR/USD. Retail leverage is typically capped at 30:1 in the UK and Australia, while professional traders can apply for significantly higher limits.

Stock CFDs

City Index offers access to over 4700 share instruments globally, covering markets in the US, UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia. UK and US shares are available via CFDs and spread betting, with commissions starting from £10 or $15, depending on the region. Fractional shares are not supported.

Indices CFDs and Spread bets

Traders can access over 40 global indices, including the UK 100, US Wall Street, Germany 40, and more. Spread betting is available for UK clients, and spreads start from as low as 1.0 point on the FTSE 100 and other major indices.

Commodity CFDs

You can trade over 20 commodities, including gold, silver, oil, natural gas, and agricultural products. Commodity spreads are competitive, from 0.04 points on gold, and available both as CFDs and spread bets for eligible clients.

Cryptocurrency CFDs

City Index provides access to 8 major crypto CFDs including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. However, crypto trading is not available to retail clients in the UK due to FCA restrictions. Only professional clients can access crypto CFDs.

Bonds and Interest Rate CFDs

City Index also offers a limited selection of bond and interest rate CFDs, enabling exposure to macroeconomic themes such as yields and monetary policy movements—an offering not common among retail-focused brokers.

Account Types

City Index keeps its account structure both flexible and well-suited to different trading styles. While the broker doesn’t focus on ultra-low minimum deposits, it does cater to retail, professional, and institutional clients with clear delineations in terms of access and leverage.

Standard CFD and spread-betting accounts:
City Index offers standard CFD trading and spread-betting accounts (UK only) for retail clients. These accounts give access to a broad range of markets, including FOREX, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

MT4 account: Specifically designed for traders who prefer to use the MT4 platform over the broker’s own platform. It allows for automated trading via EAs with competitive spreads.

Professional account:
For experienced traders who meet FCA’s professional client criteria, City Index offers professional accounts with significantly higher leverage, up to 400:1 on FOREX. Professional clients also gain access to lower margin requirements and premium customer support. However, they waive such important retail protections as negative-balance protection and access to the FSCS compensation scheme, so qualification should be considered carefully.

Demo account:
City Index provides a free demo account with £10,000 in virtual funds. The demo replicates live market conditions and allows traders to test strategies, explore the platform’s features, or practice with different instruments before trading real capital.

Islamic (Swap-Free) account:
City Index does not currently openly advertise Islamic (swap‑free) accounts, meaning there is no officially supported option for Sharia-compliant trading conditions that eliminate overnight interest charges from your positions. However, some sources suggest that you can make a special request of the broker.

Account opening

Opening an account with City Index is straightforward and designed to suit both beginners and experienced traders. Once you’ve submitted the necessary documents, the approval process is typically completed within one business day, though in some cases it may take slightly longer, depending on verification volume.

What is the minimum deposit at City Index?
City Index does not enforce a fixed minimum deposit, giving traders flexibility based on their funding method and individual trading goals. However, it recommends a starting balance of at least £100 (or equivalent) to ensure meaningful exposure and smoother trade execution.

How to open your account
To get started, simply click “Create Account” on the City Index website. You’ll be guided through a few basic steps, including entering your email, setting a password, and specifying your country of residence.

The platform will ask for key verification documents, such as a government-issued ID (passport or driver’s license) and proof of address (a recent utility bill or bank statement). Once they’ve verified who you are, you can fund your account via methods like bank transfer, debit/credit cards, or supported e-wallets.

Deposits and Withdrawals

City Index offers a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options designed for flexibility, speed, and cost-efficiency.

Account-base currencies

City Index offers clients the flexibility to choose from multiple account-base currencies when opening a trading account, helping to minimize currency conversion costs and simplify accounting. The available base currencies include: USD, EUR, GBP, PLN, and CHF.

City Index deposit fees and options

City Index offers a reliable and cost-effective funding experience, with support for major global currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP. The broker allows deposits via debit/credit cards and bank transfers, with no internal deposit fees applied. Most card deposits are processed instantly, while bank transfers may take up to three working days, depending on your provider.

City Index withdrawal fees and options

Withdrawals are also free of internal charges and can be made using the same method as your deposit, provided it matches the account holder’s name. Card and e-wallet withdrawals are generally processed within 24 hours, while bank transfers may require up to three business days. The platform emphasizes secure, verified transactions, making account funding and withdrawals smooth and efficient.

Customer Service

City Index provides a well-rounded customer support system tailored to meet the needs of its global trading community. The broker offers live chat directly on its website and trading platforms, with responsive agents ready to assist with everything from account setup and funding to trading tools and technical issues.

Support is also available via email and phone in multiple regions, ensuring clients have several ways to get help. With multilingual assistance in key languages, City Index aims to provide accessible, effective service across its diverse client base.

Commissions and Fees

Here’s a breakdown of City Index’s spreads, commissions, swap fees, and other charges.

Spreads

City Index offers competitive variable spreads that depend on the asset class and account type. For example, EUR/USD spreads can start from as low as 0.5 points on the broker’s RAW FX account. On standard accounts, spreads are slightly wider but still reasonable across FOREX, indices, commodities, and shares.

Commissions

Commission structures vary depending on the market and account. On standard accounts, most instruments are commission-free, with costs built into the spread. However, for the RAW FX account, commission is charged at $2.50 per side per standard lot traded. Share CFDs may also incur commissions; for example, US shares are typically charged at 1.8 cents per share.

Swap fees and Islamic accounts

City Index does not currently advertise swap-free (Islamic) accounts, so traders requiring Sharia-compliant accounts may need to look elsewhere. Some sources suggest you can ask the broker for Islamic options.

Inactivity fee

City Index applies an inactivity fee of £12 per month (or local currency equivalent) if no trading activity occurs for 12 months. This fee is only deducted if there are sufficient funds in the account and stops once the balance reaches zero.

Other commissions and fees

There are no fees for most deposits, but some methods may carry third-party charges. Withdrawals are generally free, although bank transfer times may vary. Additionally, professional clients may face different fee structures based on volume and service tiers. City Index does not charge platform fees for its main trading platforms.

Platforms and Tools

Here is an overview of the City Index desktop and web trading platforms in terms of key usability features:

Platforms

City Index delivers a robust desktop trading experience via its proprietary Web Trader platform as well as through support for MT4. The Web Trader platform is browser-based and features advanced charting tools, over 80 technical indicators, multiple chart types, and integrated Reuters newsfeeds. It’s designed to support everything from one-click trading to advanced risk management tools, appealing to both casual and experienced traders.

For traders who prefer MT4, City Index offers the full MT4 suite with support for automated trading, EAs, and advanced charting. MT4's customizable layouts, drawing tools, and indicator libraries are well-suited for algorithmic and technical trading strategies.

Look and feel

The interface across both platforms is streamlined and intuitive, with efficient navigation among watchlists, charts, and trade windows. While City Index’s Web Trader emphasizes accessibility and ease of use, MT4 offers deeper customization for professional users.

Login and security

Login security is solid, using standard encryption protocols, and clients can enable two-factor authentication for added protection. However, biometric login options are not currently supported.

Search functions

Search functionality on both platforms is responsive and easy to use. You can search by instrument name or browse by such asset classes as FOREX, indices, commodities, or shares.

Placing orders

Order placement supports all standard types: market, limit, stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stops. Advanced order features like “Good ‘til Cancelled” (GTC) and contingent orders are available, giving you flexibility to manage positions your way.

Alerts and notifications

Alerts and notifications are customizable. On Web Trader, you can set price-based alerts and receive them via email or in-platform popups. MT4 users can configure their own notification rules and even integrate third-party alert systems.

Mobile Trading

City Index offers a polished and reliable mobile trading experience through its proprietary City Index app, available on both iOS and Android.

Platforms

The app mirrors the functionality of the desktop Web Trader platform, delivering responsive execution, real-time quotes, and advanced charting powered by TradingView. Traders can apply over 80 technical indicators, draw trendlines, and switch between multiple timeframes, all from their mobile device.

For those who prefer MT4, City Index also supports the full MT4 mobile app, giving access to algorithmic trading, pending orders, and rich technical tools on the go.

Look and feel

The City Index app is intuitive and easy to navigate. Watchlists, market search, order panels, and live charts are all a tap away, making the platform suitable for both beginners and seasoned traders. The app is also localized in multiple languages.

Login and security

Security is handled well, with the app supporting 2FA to protect account access. Logging in is quick, and while biometric login options may not be universally available, the platform still prioritizes data protection.

Search functions

Search functionality is fast and intelligent, letting users look up specific instruments or browse by such categories as FOREX, indices, shares, and commodities.

Placing orders

Order execution supports all major types, market, limit, stop-loss, and take-profit, along with time-in-force settings like GTC. However, trailing stops are not available on the City Index app and remain exclusive to desktop or MT4 users.

Alerts and notifications

Price alerts can be easily configured, with push notifications and email alerts ensuring that you stay informed about key market moves in real time. Overall, City Index’s mobile app is a capable and professional-grade trading companion.

Research and Development

City Index delivers a well-rounded research and analysis suite that supports informed trading across a wide range of markets. At the core of the offering is Trading Central, a third-party research tool integrated into the Web Trader and mobile platforms.

City Index also publishes daily market analysis via its in-house research team. This includes outlooks on such major asset classes as FOREX, indices, shares, and commodities, with a focus on macroeconomic themes, earnings reports, and geopolitical developments.

The broker includes a comprehensive economic calendar with filters for region, event type, and expected market impact. Traders can use this to monitor upcoming data releases and central bank announcements, with historical data available for strategic context.

For charting and technical analysis, City Index integrates TradingView-powered charts within its proprietary platforms, offering more than 80 indicators, advanced drawing tools, and multiple chart types.

Overall, City Index’s research tools strike a balance between automated intelligence and analyst-driven insight.

Trading statistics

City Index delivers a robust set of trading statistics and tools aimed at enhancing transparency and supporting informed decision-making. The platform features integrated performance analytics dashboards, which allow users to track their trading behavior over time, highlighting win/loss ratios, average trade duration, and most/least profitable instruments. This empowers traders to evaluate and refine their strategies using real-time performance metrics.

The broker also provides comprehensive market data, including real-time pricing, spread statistics, and volatility analysis across asset classes like FOREX, indices, and commodities. City Index’s integration with TradingView ensures traders can analyze historical and live price movements using powerful technical charting tools and overlays, aiding both short-term and long-term trading decisions.

Additionally, position size and margin calculators are built into the platform to help traders model potential risk and exposure before entering trades. These utilities are crucial for precise planning, particularly when leveraging instruments with varying margin requirements or pip values.

Trading signals

City Index provides traders with several tools that support signal-based trading decisions, although it doesn’t offer traditional, automated trading signals per se. Instead, the platform integrates Trading Central, a third-party service known for high-quality technical analysis.

In addition, real-time news and analysis feeds help traders stay on top of market-moving events. These insights are presented through City Index’s proprietary platform and supplemented by price alerts and technical indicators that can be configured based on trader preferences. Traders also benefit from community-sourced ideas via TradingView integration.

Overall, while City Index does not push trade suggestions or automate entries and exits, it provides a well-rounded suite of technical and sentiment-driven resources that help traders generate their own informed trade signals.

Education

City Index provides a well-structured and informative educational offering aimed at traders across a range of experience levels, though the strongest focus is on beginner and intermediate users. The Learn to Trade section on the City Index website offers an accessible suite of articles, videos, webinars, and platform tutorials. Topics span trading basics, risk management, technical and fundamental analysis, and market-specific strategies for FOREX, indices, and commodities.

City Index also provides live and on-demand webinars, often hosted by experienced market analysts who walk traders through current opportunities, chart setups, and macroeconomic trends. These sessions can be particularly useful for those wanting to bridge the gap between theory and real-time trading.

Interactive content, such as quizzes and explainer videos, is available but less prominent compared to brokers that specialize in gamified learning. However, the inclusion of platform walkthroughs and tool-specific guides helps new users feel confident in using the City Index platforms.

Final Thoughts

City Index is a well-established, globally regulated broker backed by the financial strength of its parent company, StoneX. It offers a competitive trading environment for both beginners and experienced traders, with access to thousands of markets, including FOREX, indices, commodities, shares, and cryptocurrencies. With tight spreads starting from 0.5 pips on major pairs, low commission rates on shares, and a suite of powerful platforms, MT4, Web Trader, and the advanced TradingView integration, City Index caters to a wide spectrum of trading styles and strategies.

Conclusion

City Index is a globally trusted CFD broker with over 40 years of market experience. It offers access to more than 6,300 financial instruments across FOREX, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, all available through a versatile suite of platforms, including Web Trader, MT4, and TradingView.

The broker shines for its competitive spreads, starting from 0.5 pips on major FOREX pairs, combined with fast execution, low commission rates on share CFDs, and a well-rounded educational and research offering.

While City Index is a robust choice for most CFD traders, it does not offer real share or ETF ownership, and some of its platform features, like trailing stops, are platform-dependent. However, with its deep product offering, solid regulation, and rich toolset, it remains a strong contender for retail and professional traders alike.

City Index in Brief

City Index delivers a robust CFD trading experience across more than 6,300 instruments, including FOREX, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The broker combines tight spreads starting from 0.5 pips, low commissions on share CFDs, and fast execution speeds with a flexible platform suite that includes Web Trader, MT4, and TradingView. Regulated by Tier-1 authorities like the FCA, City Index offers a secure and feature-rich environment for both retail and professional traders.

Review Methodology

The team at Arincen collected more than 120 pieces of data covering in excess of 100 licensed FOREX companies. Data collection was done in three ways:
1. Companies’ Websites.
2. Other Websites that have ranked FOREX companies.
3. A survey questionnaire (referred to here as Survey “1”) we had sent to the companies invited to participate in the exercise.
We have identified 12 criteria for our assessment, each containing several aspects and carrying its own relative weight. These include licensing, deposits and withdrawals, number of assets etc. 
Afterward we validated the data by:
1. Registering with FOREX companies as a secret shopper and/or as Arincen.
2. Survey number “2,” in which we asked these companies’ customers for important feedback and past experience.
The next step saw us evaluate and rank each company, relying on the hard work of 15 Arincen employees. We were very careful in ensuring the most accurate assessment possible, including taking into account different languages, as well as the various mobile-app operating systems, e.g., Apple, Samsung etc.
To add credibility to our research project, we sent a final and third survey (referred to here as Survey “3”) to enable participating FOREX companies evaluate our own research and whether it accurately reflects the realities on the ground. We were fortunate enough to receive a mark of 9.9 out of 10! We have kept to a minimum the margin of error, which stood at a measly 1%. To learn more on how we came up with the evaluation, please click here.