Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Vantage, 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 Vantage are two online brokers offering different levels of trust and credibility. Established in 1983, City Index is a well-founded choice supported by its public trading status and extensive regulatory oversight, boasting an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses and a perfect Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, Vantage, founded in 2009, is not publicly traded but still maintains a solid reputation with a Trust Score of 90. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, and one Tier-2 license, reinforcing its reliability in the eyes of investors.
Neither City Index nor Vantage operates as a bank, but both companies are committed to maintaining a secure trading environment under stringent regulations. While City Index's more extensive regulatory backing may appeal to those prioritizing well-established security, Vantage offers a reputable stance for investors seeking a slightly newer entrant in the financial markets. As each broker offers distinct benefits, evaluating their rating, regulatory status, and trading history can guide your decision to align with your specific trading needs and preferences.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing City Index and Vantage in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers offer competitive pricing that aligns with industry averages. City Index provides a straightforward fee structure for trading CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products. With an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD as of July 2023, City Index remains relatively typical compared to the sector, although it falls short of leading forex brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets. Active traders who deposit over £10,000 may benefit from the Premium Trader account, offering exclusive pricing and services. City Index is ranked #14 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees, with a stellar 4.5-star rating.
Vantage offers varied trading costs depending on the account type you select. Their spread-only Standard STP account has spreads of about 1.30 pips on the EUR/USD, whereas the Raw account offers an average spread of 0.15 pips with a $6 round-turn commission, totaling 0.75 pips. Vantage's PRO ECN account is particularly competitive, with a commission of $4 per round turn, yet it requires specific qualifications to open. For traders who meet these criteria, the PRO account offers excellent pricing, comparable to FP Markets and Tickmill. With a 4.5-star rating in commissions and fees, Vantage stands at #18 among 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's ranking.
Both City Index and Vantage cater to active traders with rebate programs, although eligibility requirements differ. City Index provides rebates in the U.K. and Australia based on volume, while Vantage's active trader rebates are only available on their Standard account and depend on balance and monthly trading volume. Ultimately, City Index and Vantage both offer valuable trading options, each with unique advantages depending on the trader's specific needs and qualifications.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.30 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.75 |
| 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.
When comparing the range of investments available at City Index and Vantage, City Index comes out on top with a more extensive selection. City Index offers a significant advantage with 13,500 tradeable symbols against Vantage's 1,000. For those interested in forex trading, City Index features 66 tradeable forex pairs, a slight edge over Vantage's 57 pairs. Both brokers provide forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract, and neither offers direct access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, ruling out the option to buy specific company shares like Apple or Vodafone. In terms of cryptocurrency options, both City Index and Vantage offer cryptocurrency derivatives but not actual cryptocurrency purchases.
Both brokers support copy trading, appealing to those wanting to mimic professional traders' strategies. Despite some similarities, City Index earns a higher rating of 5 stars for its range of investments compared to Vantage's 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where City Index is positioned impressively at #8 out of 62 brokers, while Vantage lags behind at #50. Overall, City Index provides a broader array of investment opportunities, making it a more attractive option for diverse trading needs.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 57 |
| 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 Vantage both offer a wide range of trading platforms and tools suitable for various types of traders. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing new users to practice trading without risk. City Index and Vantage also have proprietary platforms developed in-house, Windows-based desktop platforms, and web-based trading options. Furthermore, they both support MetaTrader 4, a popular choice among traders, while Vantage goes a step further by offering MetaTrader 5 as well. In terms of copy trading, both platforms enable this feature, though Vantage additionally provides access to DupliTrade and ZuluTrade for those interested in social trading opportunities.
When it comes to technical analysis, City Index outshines with an impressive 239 drawing tools for charting, compared to Vantage’s 15. Both platforms allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, enhancing convenience and functionality. Regarding watch lists, City Index gives traders 11 columns for customization, whereas Vantage provides 7. In ratings, City Index scores slightly higher with a 4.5-star rating and is ranked #10 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Vantage, with a 4-star rating, follows closely behind at #15. Clearly, both brokers offer strong trading platforms and tools, but City Index holds a slight edge in features and overall recognition.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| 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 it comes to mobile trading apps, both City Index and Vantage offer user-friendly solutions for iPhone and Android users, ensuring traders have constant access to the markets. These apps provide critical features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and offering multiple time frame views on charts. However, City Index holds an edge with its comprehensive charting capabilities, offering 88 technical studies compared to Vantage's 30. Additionally, City Index enables watchlist symbol syncing between the app and online accounts, a feature absent with Vantage that adds significant convenience for users who frequently adjust their portfolios.
Both platforms allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing decision-making on the go. While both apps automatically save chart drawings, City Index's higher rating of 4.5 stars against Vantage's 4 stars underscores its superior user satisfaction. Furthermore, according to ForexBrokers.com, City Index is ranked #9 among 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, outshining Vantage's ranking at #26. This distinction reflects City Index's stronger performance and features, making it a more attractive option for traders seeking a versatile and comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 market research tools, City Index and Vantage both equip traders with essential resources to stay informed and make educated decisions. Each platform offers daily market commentary and access to high-quality forex news from top-tier sources, ensuring users have timely and reliable information. Additionally, both brokers include valuable tools from Trading Central, like Technical Analytics, and provide sentiment-based trading tools that reveal the ratio of long or short positions across various financial instruments. Furthermore, each broker provides an economic calendar to keep track of significant global news events.
While both City Index and Vantage showcase notable strengths in research offerings, there are some distinctions in their ratings and rankings. City Index scores an impressive 4.5 stars out of five for research, securing the 10th spot among 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Vantage earns 4 stars and holds the 24th rank. This evaluation highlights City Index's slightly stronger position as a research provider, appealing particularly to those prioritizing extensive market insight. Whether you choose City Index or Vantage, you will benefit from efficient market analysis tools to enhance your trading strategy.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
City Index and Vantage both provide extensive educational resources ideal for beginners looking to dive into forex and CFD trading. With more than 10 educational materials, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, both brokers ensure that learners have a broad base of information to start their trading journeys. Moreover, both platforms host regular educational webinars, with at least one per month to keep clients updated on market trends and insights. Each broker also offers a searchable archive of these webinars, allowing users to revisit valuable content at their own pace.
In terms of video content, both City Index and Vantage deliver with more than 10 beginner-focused videos. Advanced traders aren't left out either, as both platforms offer an equal number of advanced educational videos. When it comes to essential trading terminology, both provide an investor dictionary featuring definitions of at least 50 investing terms. Despite these similarities, City Index stands out with a higher education rating of 4.5 stars compared to Vantage's 4 stars. This difference is reflected in their rankings, with City Index positioned at #9, whereas Vantage is ranked #27 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vantage. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26.
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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Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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Both City Index and Vantage do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and instead offer the capability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing the fund transfer options between online brokers, City Index offers ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support Skrill, while Vantage provides PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, yet lacks the ACH/SEPA transfer option.
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 | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Vantage Review |
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| Regulation | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 57 | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.30 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.75 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | City Index | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Vantage Review |
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