Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Swissquote, 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 Swissquote stand out as two reputable online brokers in the financial world. Both have a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating they are highly trusted establishments. Founded in 1983, City Index offers a solid track record and is publicly traded, although it is not a bank. In terms of regulatory credentials, City Index holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, which are highly regarded, further enhancing its credibility. Additionally, it holds one Tier-2 license, which is also trusted.
On the other hand, Swissquote, established in 1996, adds the benefit of being both a publicly traded company and a bank, potentially offering more financial stability to its clients. With five Tier-1 licenses, Swissquote also maintains a strong regulatory standing, supported by two Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers enjoy a high level of trust with their clients, but if you're seeking a company with more Tier-1 regulatory oversight, City Index might have the edge.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | Yes |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
City Index and Swissquote are two notable online brokers variously recognized for their commissions and fees. City Index generally aligns with industry averages when it comes to trading CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products. Users seeking the best price should opt for City Index’s proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. With an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD, City Index maintains a competitive edge, although not necessarily leading the pack. They offer rebates for U.K.-based professionals, initiating at £4 per million for trades exceeding £25 million per month, and rising to £7.5 per million. This is complemented by an array of account options like the Premium Trader account for deposits over £10,000, earning them a 4.5-star rating, and a rank of #14 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
Conversely, Swissquote, known for its Swiss banking pedigree, incurs slightly higher trading costs. Their commissions and spreads vary across their U.K., Swiss, and Luxembourg entities. The U.K. entity typically offers more competitive costs and less stringent deposit requirements. Notably, the Elite account at Swissquote’s UK branch, with a $5 round-turn trade charge, is seen as the optimal pick for active traders depositing at least $10,000. In Switzerland, account options start with spreads at 1.7 pips for the Standard account, and the pricing structure doesn't lead markedly against the competition. Consequently, Swissquote clocks in at a 3.5-star rating for fees and commissions, holding the #52 spot among 62 brokers ranked by ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, City Index delivers slightly superior value through competitive spreads and a structured rebate system, albeit with room for improvement against the industry's top performers. Meanwhile, Swissquote's pricing, particularly appealing to those valuing brand trust, lacks the aggressive competitive edge needed to attract cost-conscious traders. While City Index provides a broader reach through variable platforms and account options, Swissquote's strength lies in its established banking reputation.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $1000 |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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.
City Index and Swissquote both offer a wide variety of investment options, gaining top ratings of five stars for their range of investments. City Index provides access to 13,500 tradeable symbols, a significantly higher figure compared to Swissquote's 472 symbols. Both platforms allow trading in forex pairs as CFDs or spot contracts but differ slightly in their offerings: City Index provides 66 forex pairs, while Swissquote offers a wider selection with 80 pairs. In addition, both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives but Swissquote goes a step further by allowing clients to purchase actual cryptocurrencies.
When it comes to exchange-traded securities, City Index does not support direct purchasing on U.S. or international exchanges, limiting transactions to CFDs. On the other hand, Swissquote users can trade in real stocks on both U.S. exchanges, such as buying Apple shares, and international exchanges, like Vodafone shares. Furthermore, City Index and Swissquote both support copy trading, catering to traders interested in mirroring successful strategies. Despite these differences, City Index is ranked #8 while Swissquote is higher at #2 by ForexBrokers.com, underlining Swissquote’s slight edge in the range of investments category.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 472 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 80 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | Yes |
| 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 Swissquote both offer traders a wealth of platform options tailored to suit different trading needs. Each broker provides a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice their strategies without financial risk. Both have developed their own proprietary platforms alongside providing access to the popular MetaTrader 4. When it comes to desktop and web-based trading platforms, both brokers cater to users with Windows preferences. Additionally, copy trading is supported by each, enhancing opportunities for traders to broaden their strategies. However, a key distinction emerges with Swissquote offering MetaTrader 5, while City Index does not support this platform. Neither broker provides DupliTrade or ZuluTrade integrations, maintaining parity in this aspect.
In terms of charting capabilities, City Index edges ahead with an impressive 239 drawing tools compared to Swissquote's 75. Both brokers provide the functionality to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing ease of use for traders. Their watch lists are evenly matched, offering 11 columns for customization. Despite different strengths, each platform achieves a stellar rating of 4.5 stars for trading platforms and tools. Among 62 brokers, City Index is ranked slightly higher at number 10 by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Swissquote's ranking at number 12, hinting at a marginal preference for City Index in this competitive landscape.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 86 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 75 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and Swissquote both offer impressive mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Both platforms provide features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and view various time frames, which cater well to traders on the go. One edge City Index holds is their watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring that any changes made on the mobile app also reflect on your online account. Swissquote does not offer this feature. Both apps facilitate creating watchlists with real-time quotes, and they save your chart drawings automatically, enhancing user convenience.
When it comes to charting capabilities, City Index offers an extensive 88 technical studies, significantly more than Swissquote's 30, providing traders with richer analytical tools. Both apps share a high user satisfaction, each rated at 4.5 stars. However, in a broader comparison among 62 brokers, City Index ranks slightly higher at #9, while Swissquote stands at #11 according to ForexBrokers.com. Overall, both apps are solid choices, with City Index offering a few more features that could enrich the mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
City Index and Swissquote both provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders can stay informed with the latest financial updates. However, City Index stands out with its sentiment-based trading tools, which offer insights into market positions across various currency pairs. Additionally, City Index provides technical analysis through Trading Central, giving traders an edge with sophisticated analytics, while Swissquote benefits from tools provided by Autochartist. Both brokers offer economic calendars to keep traders aware of important global economic events.
Despite some differences in their research tools, both brokers score highly for their research capabilities, with City Index earning a 4.5-star rating compared to Swissquote’s 4-star rating. In terms of rankings, City Index holds the #10 spot, while Swissquote places at #16 among 62 brokers in the Research category, according to ForexBrokers.com. These rankings reflect City Index's slightly superior position in providing comprehensive research tools for traders.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| 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.
City Index and Swissquote both provide a wealth of educational resources aimed at Forex and CFD traders, making them excellent choices for beginners eager to enhance their financial knowledge. Each platform offers a minimum of 10 educational materials, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, focused on these trading areas. They further support learning by offering online educational webinars monthly, with each hosting an accessible archive of previously recorded sessions. This means that whether you prefer learning through reading or watching, both brokers have you covered.
City Index and Swissquote each present over 10 beginner-focused educational videos, as well as advanced content for more experienced traders. Moreover, they provide investor dictionaries with definitions of at least 50 investing terms, which can be particularly beneficial for those new to trading jargon. In terms of rankings by ForexBrokers.com, City Index stands out since it's rated 4.5 stars and ranks 9th in the education category among 62 brokers, whereas Swissquote is rated 4 stars and ranks 21st. Ultimately, both platforms are dedicated to educational excellence, with City Index holding a slightly higher educational rating and rank.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 Swissquote. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11.
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
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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While both City Index and Swissquote offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, only Swissquote provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both City Index and Swissquote offer ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Visa or Mastercard as options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, while City Index does not support Skrill, which is available with Swissquote; additionally, both platforms facilitate bank wire transactions.
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 | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Swissquote Review |
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| Regulation | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 472 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 80 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $1000 | |
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 86 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 75 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | City Index | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Swissquote Review |
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