Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs GBE brokers, 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, founded in 1983, stands out as a highly trusted online broker with a perfect Trust Score of 99, according to ForexBrokers.com. As a publicly traded company, City Index holds seven Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, reflecting its strong regulatory standing and reliability for investors. Although it is not a bank, its longstanding presence in the market and commitment to regulatory compliance make it a top choice for traders seeking stability and trustworthiness in their online brokerage.
On the other hand, GBE brokers, established in 2013, has a Trust Score of 71, indicating an average risk level. Unlike City Index, GBE brokers is not publicly traded and holds just one Tier-1 license, with no Tier-2 licenses. While it maintains a certain level of trust, GBE brokers' younger age and smaller regulatory footprint suggest that potential investors may need to weigh the potential risks and rewards more carefully when choosing this brokerage for their trading activities.
| Feature |
City Index
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
City Index and GBE Brokers are both reputable online brokers, but they differ in terms of their commissions and fees. City Index has a competitive pricing structure for trading CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, aligning closely with the industry average. Traders can access the best rates through proprietary platforms or MetaTrader, with a typical spread of 0.74 pips on EUR/USD as of July 2023. Additionally, City Index offers a Premium Trader account for those who deposit over £10,000, granting exclusive pricing and dedicated support. Active traders in the U.K. and Australia can benefit from a rebate program, with rebates reaching up to £7.5 or AUD $14.5 per million based on trading volumes.
GBE Brokers, on the other hand, lacks public data on average spreads, making direct comparisons on specific pricing metrics challenging. However, based on general ratings and rankings, City Index performs slightly better with a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, compared to GBE Brokers' 4-star rating. City's higher ranking of #14 out of 62 brokers, as per ForexBrokers.com's evaluations, further underscores its competitive edge in this category, while GBE Brokers holds the #36 position.
| Feature |
City Index
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 considering the range of investment options between City Index and GBE brokers, several interesting distinctions emerge. City Index boasts a remarkable lineup with 13,500 tradable symbols, dwarfing GBE brokers' 500 symbols. This expansive selection has earned City Index a 5-star rating for the range of investments, compared to GBE brokers' 3.5 stars. In terms of tradable forex pairs, City Index offers 66, closely rivaled by GBE brokers' 71 pairs. Both platforms allow trading of forex as CFDs or spot contracts, enabling diverse investment strategies for users. Both also cater to those interested in cryptocurrency derivatives, without offering direct cryptocurrency transactions.
Neither City Index nor GBE brokers furnish clients with the ability to trade exchange-traded securities directly on U.S. or international exchanges, such as buying shares of Apple or Vodafone. Both brokers do, however, provide copy trading capabilities, appealing to investors who prefer to mirror the trades of experienced investors. According to ForexBrokers.com, City Index has earned a commendable #8 rank out of 62 brokers for its range of investments, while GBE brokers are positioned at #44. This comparison highlights City Index's superior offerings and broader appeal to those seeking a vast array of trading possibilities.
| Feature |
City Index
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 71 |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of City Index and GBE brokers, both offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without risk. City Index provides a more comprehensive in-house, proprietary trading platform alongside a Windows-based desktop download, web-based trading platform, and copy trading options. Both brokers support the popular MetaTrader 4 platform; however, only GBE brokers extend their offering to include MetaTrader 5, providing additional features for experienced traders interested in the latest innovations.
City Index stands out with its 239 drawing tools available for charting, significantly more than the 15 offered by GBE brokers, allowing for more detailed market analysis. Both brokers support direct trading from stock charts, though City Index presents a more feature-rich experience with 11 watchlist columns compared to GBE's 7. Rated 4.5 stars by ForexBrokers.com, City Index ranks 10th out of 62 for its trading platforms and tools, showcasing its competitive edge above GBE brokers, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks 57th.
| Feature |
City Index
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 mobile trading apps, City Index and GBE brokers both cater to iPhone and Android users, providing stock and forex price alerts for keen market watchers. However, a key difference between these two is the syncing capability of watchlists. City Index allows users to synchronize their watchlists between the mobile app and their online accounts, a feature not offered by GBE brokers. This can be particularly convenient for traders who switch between devices.
In terms of charting tools, City Index offers an impressive 88 technical studies, significantly outpacing the 30 provided by GBE brokers. Both brokers allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames in their charts, with auto-saving capabilities for chart drawings. Additionally, both apps support creating watchlists with real-time quotes. City Index's mobile app is rated at 4.5 stars, while GBE brokers stands at 4 stars. Furthermore, City Index is ranked 9th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for their mobile app, while GBE brokers is placed at 57th, highlighting a clear preference for City Index among users.
| Feature |
City Index
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 |
| 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.
When comparing City Index and GBE brokers for their market research offerings, City Index stands out with its comprehensive features. Both platforms provide daily market commentary, ensuring traders stay informed with up-to-date insights. However, City Index takes a step further by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while GBE brokers do not provide this feature. Additionally, City Index includes advanced analysis tools from Trading Central, offering traders more detailed market insights, whereas GBE brokers lack this premium tool access. On the other hand, both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools and an economic calendar, making them comparable in this aspect.
City Index enjoys a higher accolade in terms of research quality, receiving a rating of 4.5 stars as opposed to GBE brokers’ 3 stars. This rating reflects City Index's ability to deliver a more enriched research experience for its users. According to ForexBrokers.com, City Index ranks as the 10th out of 62 brokers for its research capabilities, demonstrating its prominence in the industry. In contrast, GBE brokers rank near the bottom at 61st, highlighting a significant gap in the depth and range of research tools and information provided to traders between the two platforms.
| Feature |
City Index
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners eager to dive into the world of forex and CFDs trading, City Index stands out as an exceptional choice for educational resources compared to GBE brokers. City Index offers an array of more than 10 articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on helping beginners understand the complexities of forex and CFD markets. These resources provide a solid foundation for learners. Additionally, City Index hosts at least one online educational webinar each month, with a comprehensive archive of past sessions available for review. This allows traders to learn at their own pace. The platform also features over 10 instructional videos tailored specifically for beginners, as well as videos for more experienced traders. In contrast, GBE brokers do not provide the same volume or breadth of educational materials, missing out on regular webinars and a video library for a structured learning experience.
City Index further enhances its educational suite with a detailed investor dictionary that explains over 50 investing terms, making complex jargon accessible to newcomers. On the other hand, GBE brokers fall short in this area. This dedication to beginner education reflects in their high rating of 4.5 stars for education, positioning them as a preferred choice for novice traders. City Index ranks 9th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, showcasing their strong commitment to educational excellence. Meanwhile, GBE brokers receive a modest 3-star rating and a rank of 62nd, indicating significant room for improvement in their educational offerings.
| Feature |
City Index
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 GBE brokers. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #56.
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
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GBE brokers
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
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City Index and GBE Brokers both do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both City Index and GBE Brokers offer versatile deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but only GBE Brokers supports transactions via Skrill.
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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
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| Regulation | City Index | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | City Index | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 71 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
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