Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Plus500, 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, and Plus500, established in 2008, are both prominent online brokers publicly traded on stock exchanges, offering various financial services without being classified as banks. Both brokers boast a perfect Trust Score of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, highlighting their credibility and reliability in the financial market. In terms of regulatory strength, City Index holds seven Tier-1 licenses, a benchmark for high trust, and one Tier-2 license, indicating solid trust levels. Meanwhile, Plus500 also maintains a strong presence with six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, ensuring a trustworthy trading environment for its clients.
Despite the difference in the number of licenses, both City Index and Plus500 demonstrate a commitment to maintaining high standards of regulation and trust for their users. This makes them equally appealing for traders prioritizing regulatory assurance. Whether one chooses City Index or Plus500, both offer a secured platform backed by their respective regulatory standings, making them favorable options in the competitive world of online trading.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of City Index and Plus500, City Index offers competitive pricing that is generally in line with industry averages. For optimum pricing, it's advised that traders use City Index’s proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. City Index also offers a Premium Trader account for those depositing over £10,000, providing exclusive pricing and benefits. The average spread for the EUR/USD pair at City Index is 0.74 pips as of July 2023, placing its pricing at the industry average, although it trails behind top performers like Tickmill and FP Markets. City Index rewards active U.K.-based professional traders with rebates starting at £4 per million, scaling up to £7.5 per million for larger volumes, with similar structures in place for Australian traders. City Index is rated 4.5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #14 out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Plus500’s pricing is slightly above the industry average, particularly in the active trader category, lagging behind leading forex brokers such as IG and Saxo. Plus500 does not offer discounts to retail clients, though it provides cash rebates for qualifying Professional clients. The average spread on EUR/USD was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry average. Plus500 earns a 4.0-star rating in the commissions and fees category and ranks #25 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | €100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 1.5 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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.
City Index and Plus500 are both prominent online brokers that cater to investors looking for a wide array of trading opportunities. City Index offers an impressive 13,500 tradeable symbols, significantly outpacing Plus500's 5,500. Forex enthusiasts will find both platforms appealing, with City Index providing 66 forex pairs and Plus500 offering 65, making them nearly identical in this regard. However, when it comes to exchange-traded securities, Plus500 has the upper hand, allowing clients to buy shares directly from U.S. and international exchanges, a feature not available with City Index. Furthermore, both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs, and while neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, they both allow trading of cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index shines with a perfect 5-star rating for its range of investments, also ranking 8th out of 62 brokers in the Investment Range category by ForexBrokers.com. Plus500 trails slightly with a 4.5-star rating and a rank of 24th. Additionally, City Index offers copy trading, providing an appealing option for investors looking to mirror the strategies of others, while Plus500 does not offer this feature. Each platform has its strengths, making them suitable for different types of investors based on their specific needs and preferences in trading.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
City Index and Plus500 both provide strong platforms for traders, catering to different styles and needs. City Index offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including a proprietary desktop platform for Windows and the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4), giving traders the flexibility to choose the tools that suit them best. Plus500, while not offering MT4, provides its well-regarded proprietary platform via web browsers, making it accessible without the need for downloads. Both brokers offer demo accounts for simulated trading, allowing users to test strategies in a risk-free environment.
When it comes to charting tools, City Index boasts a significant advantage with 239 drawing tools compared to Plus500's 22, along with the ability to trade directly from stock charts. City Index also supports copy trading, a feature not available with Plus500. For watch list organization, City Index offers a slightly broader range of options with 11 columns, compared to Plus500's 10 columns. Despite these differences, both brokers are highly rated for their trading platforms and tools with a score of 4.5 stars. However, in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, City Index is positioned higher at 10th place, while Plus500 stands at 14th, highlighting City Index's edge in this category.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 114 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 22 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 10 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both City Index and Plus500 have options available for iPhone and Android users. Each app provides features such as price alerts for stocks and forex, and watchlist symbol syncing, which allows changes to sync across devices. However, they differ in the number of technical studies they offer; City Index provides 88 studies, while Plus500 offers 110. Both apps enable users to draw trendlines on charts and view multiple time frames, though only City Index auto-saves these drawings.
For those who favor real-time monitoring, both City Index and Plus500 support watchlists with real-time quotes. User ratings highlight their performance; both achieve an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, City Index holds a higher ranking at #9, while Plus500 comes in at #14 out of 62 brokers. In making a choice between them, these nuances could guide your decision based on personal preferences and trading needs.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 110 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
City Index and Plus500 both provide daily market commentary, helping traders stay informed about the latest market developments. However, City Index stands out for its access to forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, an advantage Plus500 lacks. Both brokers offer technical analysis tools from Trading Central, offering valuable insights to aid in trading decisions. They also share sentiment-based trading tools that show the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments, fostering informed trading strategies for both platforms.
While neither City Index nor Plus500 features tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading, they both offer a comprehensive economic calendar to track global news events. Despite these similarities, City Index's research rating of 4.5 stars outshines Plus500's 4.0 stars. Consequently, City Index is ranked higher, at #10 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Plus500's #19 ranking, establishing City Index as a preferred choice for traders seeking in-depth market research.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 exploring online trading, both City Index and Plus500 provide a variety of educational resources, including more than ten articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. They each offer monthly webinars that users can attend online, and both maintain an archive for easy access to prior recordings. These brokers cater to different levels of experience by offering at least ten beginner and advanced educational videos, ensuring that both newcomers and experienced traders can enhance their trading knowledge. However, a notable difference is that City Index goes an extra mile by providing an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, a feature missing from Plus500's offerings.
When it comes to user ratings and rankings, City Index edges ahead of Plus500 with a 4.5-star rating compared to Plus500's 4 stars for educational content. In the comprehensive evaluations by ForexBrokers.com, City Index stands out, securing the 9th spot among 62 brokers for education, while Plus500 ranks at 31. These distinctions make City Index a slightly more appealing choice for traders, particularly beginners seeking comprehensive educational support and resources to navigate the world of forex and CFD trading effectively.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Plus500. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14.
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
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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Both City Index and Plus500 do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index and Plus500 both allow PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but City Index additionally supports ACH and SEPA transfers, while Plus500 uniquely offers 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 | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Plus500 | |
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| Regulation | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. |
| Cost | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.5 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 1.5 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | €100 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 10 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 114 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 22 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 110 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | City Index | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Plus500 Review |
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