Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs City Index, 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.
When comparing the regulatory strengths of XTB and City Index, both online brokers bring credible trustworthiness to the table. XTB, founded in 2002, is a publicly traded company that secures 2 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a high level of trustworthiness. It holds an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96 out of 99, suggesting it is highly trusted in the industry. While it is not a bank, its public listing reinforces its accountability.
City Index, established in 1983, also operates as a publicly traded entity. This broker shines particularly in regulatory compliance, possessing 7 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, showcasing its commitment to maintaining high trust standards. With a top-tier ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, City Index is considered highly trusted by international standards, despite not being a bank. This comparison highlights City Index’s edge in regulatory coverage through its extensive Tier-1 licensing, making it a formidable choice for traders focusing on trust.
| Feature |
XTB
|
City Index
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1983 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 7 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing XTB and City Index in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars. XTB offers two main account types: the spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, the latter of which is being phased out and is limited to certain clients. XTB's average spreads for forex pairs like EUR/USD stand at 1 pip, aligning with industry averages, though not as competitive as top-tier brokers. A minimum deposit of £250, €250, or $250 is required to start trading. For active traders, XTB offers a rebate program called the Lower Spread Group, which can refund between 5% to 30% of spreads based on trading volumes.
In contrast, City Index offers industry-average pricing for its CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, with a slightly more favorable average spread on the EUR/USD at 0.74 pips. Traders using City Index’s Premium Trader account, which requires a deposit of over £10,000, gain access to exclusive pricing and services. The broker also provides rebates for active traders; U.K.-based traders can earn rebates starting at £4 per million for monthly volumes exceeding £25 million, while Australian traders benefit from a rebate range starting at AUD $4.5 per million.
Both brokers receive similar ratings, but XTB is ranked slightly higher at #11 compared to City Index's #14 in the Commissions and Fees category on ForexBrokers.com. This reflects subtle distinctions in their offerings and the potential savings available to traders, particularly those who leverage active trader programs and maintain higher trading volumes.
| Feature |
XTB
|
City Index
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | £100.00 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.4 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.74 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing XTB and City Index in terms of available investment options, both platforms offer forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract, making them appealing to currency traders. XTB provides access to over 7,180 tradable symbols, while City Index surpasses this with more than 13,500. In terms of forex pairs, XTB edges ahead slightly with 71 available pairs compared to 66 offered by City Index. However, XTB has an advantage for investors interested in exchange-traded securities from U.S. and international markets with the ability to buy shares directly, a feature City Index does not offer.
For those looking to diversify with cryptocurrencies, both XTB and City Index allow trading cryptocurrency derivatives but not actual delivery of the currency. Moreover, while XTB doesn't support copy trading, City Index boasts this feature, which could attract investors seeking to mirror successful strategies. Despite these differences, both XTB and City Index earn a five-star rating for their range of investment offerings, with City Index ranked slightly higher at #8 compared to XTB's #14 by ForexBrokers.com. This detailed comparison underscores each platform's potential strengths based on individual investor priorities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
City Index
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 13500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 66 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 XTB and City Index in terms of their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide strong offerings for traders of various experience levels. They each offer free virtual demo accounts, enabling users to practice trading in a simulated environment. Both XTB and City Index have proprietary platforms that cater to their clients' trading needs and have desktop versions available for Windows users. Additionally, they both provide web-based platforms that can be accessed through a browser, ensuring flexibility for traders who prefer not to use a desktop application. However, City Index edges ahead with support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular third-party trading platform, which XTB does not offer. City Index also provides copy trading options, unlike XTB, allowing traders to follow and replicate the trades of successful investors. Both brokers allow direct trading from stock charts, helping traders to act swiftly on market fluctuations.
In terms of charting tools, XTB offers 32 drawing tools, while City Index significantly surpasses this by providing 239 tools. Though neither broker supports MetaTrader 5, DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade, City Index's richer charting capabilities might appeal to users who rely heavily on technical analysis. For watchlist customization, City Index again takes a slight lead with the availability of 11 columns for fields compared to XTB's 8. Despite these differences, both platforms have received commendable ratings, with each earning 4.5 stars in the Trading Platforms and Tools category according to user reviews. Furthermore, in the rankings provided by ForexBrokers.com, XTB secures the 9th position out of 62 brokers, slightly ahead of City Index, which is ranked 10th. This suggests that while both platforms are well-regarded, their offerings cater to slightly different trading priorities, depending on one's specific requirements.
| Feature |
XTB
|
City Index
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 88 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 239 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XTB and City Index offer fully functional mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android devices, ensuring traders can access the markets on the go. They each provide essential features such as price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts, catering to those who like to stay updated and perform technical analysis. While XTB allows users to explore 39 different technical studies within its app, City Index stands out with a more extensive offering of 88 studies, which may appeal to traders who rely heavily on charting tools. Moreover, both platforms support viewing multiple time frames, whether daily, weekly, or intraday, and they also auto-save chart drawings, streamlining the user experience by maintaining continuity and ease of access.
While both apps share several features, City Index offers watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless cohesion between the mobile app and online account, a capability XTB lacks. However, both platforms allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, providing users the ability to track their favorite financial instruments. In terms of ratings, XTB and City Index each earn impressive scores of 4.5 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB is ranked #8 out of 62 brokers, slightly edging out City Index, which holds the #9 spot. Despite their differences, both apps provide a strong set of features catering to the needs of various traders.
| Feature |
XTB
|
City Index
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 88 |
| 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 it comes to market research, both XTB and City Index provide daily market commentary and access to high-quality forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. They offer traders valuable insights into market trends and economic events. Additionally, both brokers feature a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments, helping traders gauge market sentiment. While neither XTB nor City Index includes tools from Autochartist or provides market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, City Index stands out by offering tools from Trading Central, which can enhance your technical analysis capabilities.
An economic calendar is available with both brokers, providing current and upcoming global news events to keep traders informed. In terms of research ratings, XTB shines with a perfect 5-star rating compared to City Index's 4.5 stars. When ranking these brokers among 62 contenders, XTB proudly takes the 7th position in ForexBrokers.com's Research category, while City Index follows closely at 10th. Overall, both platforms offer solid research features, but XTB edges ahead in overall rankings and ratings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
City Index
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | 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.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both XTB and City Index stand out as excellent choices for those eager to learn about forex and CFDs trading. Each platform offers a minimum of ten educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing primarily on these topics. Beginners will find value in the monthly online educational webinars provided by both platforms, alongside searchable archives for revisiting past sessions. Specific resources geared to novice traders include over ten educational videos available on each site, guiding users through the foundational aspects of trading. More advanced educational content is also accessible, with each broker offering at least ten videos meant for more experienced traders looking to deepen their knowledge.
XTB and City Index both excel in several educational aspects, yet there are distinct differences to note. While XTB garners a 5-star rating for its educational offerings, City Index is rated slightly lower at 4.5 stars. However, City Index offers an investor dictionary containing definitions for over 50 investing terms, a feature missing from XTB. Interestingly, in the overall educational rankings by ForexBrokers.com, City Index holds the #9 spot, slightly ahead of XTB at #11 out of 62 brokers. These small differences might influence a beginner’s choice depending on their preference for comprehensive glossaries or slightly higher-rated educational experiences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
City Index
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than City Index. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while City Index finished with an overall rank of #8.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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City Index
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 |
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Both XTB and City Index do not offer the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both XTB and City Index support Visa/Mastercard, bank wires, and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, City Index uniquely offers ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas XTB provides Skrill, offering different advantages depending on your payment preferences.
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 | XTB | City Index | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | City Index Review |
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| Regulation | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1983 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 7 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 13500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 66 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.4 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.74 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | £100.00 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 88 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 239 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 88 | |
| 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 | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | City Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB Review | City Index Review |
| Overall | XTB | City Index | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | City Index Review |
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