Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs ATFX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 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.
City Index and ATFX offer solid options for online trading, but they differ in experience and regulatory standing. Established in 1983, City Index is publicly traded and boasts an impressive Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This reflects its strong regulatory framework, with 7 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 licenses, underscoring its highly trusted status. Despite not being a bank, City Index's longstanding presence and regulatory compliance make it an appealing choice for traders.
On the other hand, ATFX was founded in 2017 and is not publicly traded. It holds 4 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses, contributing to its respectable Trust Score of 85, indicating a trusted status. While newer to the market compared to City Index, ATFX provides a competitive and reliable trading environment for those who value robust regulation, without being a bank itself. Both brokers ensure a secure platform for trading, with City Index offering a longer track record and higher trust rating.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing City Index and ATFX for their commissions and fees, City Index clearly stands out with a strong rating and favorable pricing options. City Index offers competitive pricing for CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, aligning with the industry average. With their proprietary platforms or MetaTrader, traders can enjoy optimal pricing. For those depositing more than £10,000, the Premium Trader account opens doors to exclusive pricing, events, and a dedicated customer service team. The average spread for a CFD account on EUR/USD is 0.74 pips, positioning City Index as a reliable choice, though not the top competitor when compared to leading forex brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets. Additionally, City Index provides attractive active trader rebates, with potential savings starting at £4 per million for U.K. traders and AUD $4.5 per million for Australian traders. City Index earns an impressive 4.5-star rating and ranks 14th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, ATFX doesn't shine as brightly when it comes to commissions and fees. The lack of average spread data makes it challenging to evaluate precisely how ATFX stacks up against competitors in terms of pricing. Despite this, ATFX receives a modest 3-star rating and is ranked 59th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com. This places ATFX as a less favorable option compared to City Index for traders prioritizing cost-effectiveness.
In summary, City Index emerges as a more advantageous choice for traders seeking reasonable fees and commissions. With a strong 4.5-star rating and favorable rebates for active traders, City Index positions itself well within the industry. Conversely, ATFX's lower rating and lack of detailed spread information highlight its limitations in this area. This comparative analysis underscores the strengths of City Index in providing competitive trading conditions and effective cost management.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing City Index and ATFX, a significant difference emerges in the diversity of available investments. City Index offers an impressive selection with 13,500 tradeable symbols, including 66 forex pairs, appealing to traders looking for variety. In contrast, ATFX provides a more modest 150 tradeable symbols and 44 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts but do not offer exchange-traded securities on US or international exchanges. Additionally, neither platform supports the purchasing of actual cryptocurrencies, although they do provide cryptocurrency derivatives for trading enthusiasts. Copy trading is an option with both City Index and ATFX, enabling users to mirror expert trades effortlessly.
Despite some similarities, City Index's more extensive selection earns it a higher rating of 5 stars for its investment range, compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars. Ranking-wise, City Index also stands out, holding the 8th position in the Range of Investments category among 62 brokers, while ATFX ranks at 57th. This makes City Index the preferred choice for investors prioritizing a comprehensive selection of tradeable assets and a strong reputation in the investment community.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
City Index and ATFX both provide robust online trading platforms, but they cater to different needs. City Index excels with its proprietary platform, offering a customized experience, alongside popular choices like MetaTrader 4. Additionally, traders can enjoy a comprehensive set of 239 drawing tools for charting, direct trading from stock charts, and 11 fields for watch lists, providing a polished trading environment rated at 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools. Ranked 10th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, City Index also offers a Windows-based desktop platform, web browser access, and the opportunity for simulated trading with a free virtual demo account.
ATFX, while offering solid trading features, leans heavily on the versatile MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms. Though lacking a proprietary platform, ATFX ensures web-based and Windows desktop trading options are available, along with copy trading capabilities. The broker provides basic charting features with 15 drawing tools and 7 fields for crafting watch lists, and like City Index, allows trading directly from stock charts. Rated 3.5 stars for its platform features, ATFX is ranked 61st by ForexBrokers.com, yet still offers a free virtual demo account for new traders seeking a practice environment.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile apps of City Index and ATFX, both platforms offer apps for iPhone and Android, supporting essential features such as stock and forex price alerts. However, City Index outshines ATFX by providing watchlist symbol syncing, which keeps watchlists updated across both mobile and online accounts. This feature can save traders a lot of time and hassle. Charting capabilities also differ significantly: City Index offers 88 technical studies in its charting tools, while ATFX offers only 7. Both brokers allow users to draw trendlines and view charts in multiple time frames, and they ensure that any drawings are saved automatically.
For those who prioritize ratings and reviews, City Index receives an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars for its mobile trading application, ranking 9th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ATFX has a more modest rating of 3.5 stars and ranks last at 62nd. Ultimately, traders seeking a more comprehensive set of features and higher user satisfaction may find City Index to be a better choice for their mobile trading needs.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 7 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
City Index and ATFX both provide daily market commentary and offer economic calendars that detail current and upcoming global news events. However, City Index surpasses ATFX in offering forex news from high-profile sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which can be vital for traders looking for comprehensive insights. On the flip side, ATFX distinguishes itself by providing technical analysis tools from Autochartist, a feature that City Index does not offer. Still, both brokers utilize Trading Central's services for additional technical analysis resources.
Moreover, City Index includes a sentiment-based trading tool to gauge market trends through the ratio of long or short positions, a service ATFX lacks. Neither broker offers market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. When considering research ratings and rankings, City Index holds a significant advantage with a 4.5-star rating and a #10 rank out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to ATFX's 3-star rating and #54 rank. Such distinctions might influence traders seeking well-rounded market analysis and resources.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both City Index and ATFX provide a wealth of materials to help novice traders learn about forex and CFDs. Each offers more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on these financial instruments. City Index stands out, however, by hosting regular online educational client webinars at least once a month, while ATFX does not offer this feature. Both platforms provide access to an archive of recorded webinars, allowing users to catch up on past learning sessions at their convenience.
City Index enhances its beginner-friendly offerings by providing educational videos specifically for those new to trading, while also catering to advanced traders with over ten advanced videos. Unfortunately, ATFX falls short in this area, with a lack of advanced videos for more experienced users. Additionally, both City Index and ATFX include an extensive investor dictionary, defining over 50 essential investing terms. Evaluations from ForexBrokers.com place City Index at an impressive #9 for education out of 62 brokers, with an education rating of 4.5 stars. ATFX, on the other hand, ranks #28 and earns a lower rating of 3 stars, highlighting City Index as a more favorable choice for educational content.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that City Index is better than ATFX. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
Backed by StoneX Group, City Index is a trusted brand known for its versatile trading platforms, excellent mobile app, diverse market research, and extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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Both City Index and ATFX do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index supports ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal for depositing and withdrawing funds, while ATFX does not offer these options but provides Skrill, and both brokers allow transactions via Visa or Mastercard and bank wires.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | City Index | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | City Index Review |
| Overall | City Index | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
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