Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Spreadex, 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, established in 1983, has cemented its reputation as a highly trusted online broker, largely due to its impressive collection of 7 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license. These licenses indicate a high level of regulatory safety and credibility. As a publicly traded company, City Index achieves a stunning Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, making it a top choice for traders seeking assurance and reliability.
Conversely, Spreadex, founded in 1999, operates privately and holds 1 Tier-1 license without any Tier-2 licenses, which suggests a moderate level of regulatory trust. With a Trust Score of 71, it falls within the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. Both City Index and Spreadex are not banks, offering specialized financial services to their clientele. While Spreadex provides a competitive option, particularly for those comfortable with a moderate risk level, City Index stands out for those prioritizing maximum trust and security in their online trading experiences.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1999 |
| 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 | 0 |
When examining commissions and fees, City Index generally aligns with the industry average for trading CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products. Notably, City Index features an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD pair, which brings its overall costs in line with competitors. Traders looking for the best pricing can benefit from the City Index Premium Trader account, accessible with a minimum deposit of £10,000, offering exclusive pricing and dedicated customer service. Active traders also enjoy attractive rebate options, with U.K.-based professionals earning up to £7.5 per million for trading volumes above £300M monthly. City Index earns a 4.5-star rating and ranks 14th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Spreadex presents an average spread of 0.81 pips for the EUR/USD currency pair, with a minimum spread of 0.6 pips available 60% of the time as of January 2024. This rate positions Spreadex slightly above City Index in terms of cost, though it remains competitive in the market. Spreadex achieves a 4-star rating and is ranked 30th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.81 |
| 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 | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
City Index and Spreadex both provide appealing options for forex trading enthusiasts. Each platform allows users to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, meeting diverse trading needs. City Index boasts an impressive range of 13,500 tradeable symbols, including 66 forex pairs, outpacing Spreadex's offering of 10,000 symbols and 52 forex pairs. Although neither broker offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, they both allow clients to engage in cryptocurrency derivatives trading, while not offering the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
City Index distinguishes itself from Spreadex with the availability of copy trading, a feature absent from the latter platform. Both brokers receive a commendable five-star rating for their range of investments, echoing their strengths in providing extensive trading opportunities. However, City Index garners a higher position in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, securing the 8th spot out of 62 brokers, compared to Spreadex's 13th place, subtly suggesting a slightly more favorable impression among users for its investment offerings.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 52 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
City Index and Spreadex both provide traders with proprietary platforms, ensuring exclusive features tailored to their needs. However, City Index shines with its additional offerings such as a Windows-based desktop platform and the ability to engage in simulated trading with a demo account, which Spreadex lacks. Furthermore, City Index supports MetaTrader 4, offering a versatile trading experience not available at Spreadex, and it also boasts copy trading capabilities. When it comes to charting tools, City Index offers a significant advantage with 239 drawing tools compared to Spreadex's 11, providing more flexibility and precision for technical analysis.
Web-based trading platforms are available at both brokers, and traders can place trades directly from stock charts with each provider. City Index enhances its service with 11 fields for watch lists, compared to Spreadex's eight, allowing for a more detailed market overview. Overall, City Index receives superior ratings, with 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools and ranking 10th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Spreadex holds a 4-star rating, ranking 46th, reflecting a solid performance but one that lags behind City Index in the trading platform arena.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
| 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 | 55 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 11 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both City Index and Spreadex offer convenient iPhone and Android apps, meeting the needs of traders who prefer to handle their investments while on the go. Users can expect real-time stock or forex price alerts with either app and have the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames for detailed chart analysis. However, City Index outpaces Spreadex with its advanced offerings, including the ability to sync watchlist symbols across devices, so any change you make is updated both on your mobile and online platforms. Another edge is City Index's inclusion of 88 technical studies for charting, compared to a lack of detailed data on Spreadex.
City Index provides a more tailored user experience with features like auto-saving chart drawings, which Spreadex currently lacks. Both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, yet City Index's offering is ranked higher by ForexBrokers.com, securing the 9th position out of 62 brokers, while Spreadex comes in at 49. These considerations make City Index's mobile app slightly more appealing, evidenced by its 4.5-star rating compared to Spreadex's 4 stars. Such distinctions suggest a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience through City Index's mobile trading application.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | N/A |
| 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 Spreadex both excel in delivering daily market commentary and providing forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, ensuring traders remain well-informed. However, City Index stands out by offering advanced research tools from Trading Central, including technical analytics, a feature that is not available with Spreadex. Both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools, allowing traders to gauge market movements through a ratio of long and short positions across various instruments. Additionally, each platform has an economic calendar showcasing global events, aiding traders in making timely decisions.
Despite having many similarities, City Index slightly surpasses Spreadex in overall research offerings, receiving a rating of 4.5 stars compared to Spreadex's 4 stars for research quality. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where City Index is ranked 10th among 62 brokers for research, while Spreadex is placed at 31st. This suggests that while both brokers serve as reliable options for market analysis, City Index may offer a marginally superior research experience for traders seeking comprehensive analytical tools.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing City Index and Spreadex for educational resources available to beginners, both platforms offer a good foundation with a range of materials dedicated to forex and CFDs. Each provides more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars, centering on these subjects. However, City Index stands out by offering monthly educational webinars and a comprehensive archive of previously recorded sessions, giving beginners the opportunity to learn at a more flexible pace. In contrast, Spreadex lacks these features, potentially limiting the resources available for ongoing education and review.
In terms of beginner-focused content, City Index and Spreadex both offer educational videos tailored to newcomers in the trading arena. City Index goes a step further by also providing ten advanced videos for experienced traders, bridging the gap from beginner to expert learning. Both brokers include an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, helping to demystify trading jargon. Overall, City Index achieves a higher education rating, receiving 4.5 stars and ranking 9th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Spreadex earns 4 stars and ranks 45th, highlighting City Index's more comprehensive educational offerings.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 Spreadex. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Spreadex finished with an overall rank of #39.
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
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both City Index and Spreadex do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index provides a more versatile range of deposit and withdrawal options than Spreadex, with support for ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal, alongside Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while Spreadex only supports Visa, 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Spreadex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 52 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.81 | |
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 55 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 11 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | N/A | |
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Spreadex Review |
| Overall | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Spreadex Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill