Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs ActivTrades, 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 City Index and ActivTrades, both offer online trading services but differ significantly in their regulatory backing and level of trust. Founded in 1983, City Index is a publicly traded company known for its highly secure offerings, boasting an outstanding Trust Score of 99 as rated by ForexBrokers.com. This high rating is supported by City Index's possession of an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, which are considered the gold standard in regulatory oversight, alongside one Tier-2 license.
On the other hand, ActivTrades, established in 2001, is not publicly traded and holds a respectable Trust Score of 81. Though not as high as City Index, this score denotes a trusted status with its two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. While neither broker operates as a bank, City Index's edge in regulatory endorsements could provide added peace of mind for traders seeking a more secure platform. Both brokers, however, offer dependable choices for online trading within their respective regulatory frameworks.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2001 |
| 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 |
City Index and ActivTrades offer distinct experiences concerning commissions and fees, each appealing to different types of traders. City Index offers pricing that aligns closely with industry averages, making it a solid option for those who trade CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products. Traders using City Index’s proprietary platforms or MetaTrader can access the best pricing. Notably, City Index's Premium Trader account provides exclusive benefits for those depositing over £10,000, including special pricing and dedicated support. With an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD as of July 2023, City Index maintains competitive costs, though it still falls short of top-tier brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets.
ActivTrades presents a slightly better-than-average spread offering, but it doesn't match the lowest-cost brokers. It features various accounts, namely the Individual, Professional, and Islamic options, though there’s no specific account for high-volume traders and no active trader pricing. Spreads are consistent across account types, and while margin requirements differ for professional accounts, spreads do not. Notably, ActivTrades recorded an average EUR/USD spread of 0.98 pips in May 2024. Ultimately, fees are asset-dependent and influenced by the chosen trading platform. The broker also provides a demo account for risk-free practice.
When evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, City Index rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, ranking 14th out of 63 brokers. ActivTrades, meanwhile, achieved a 4-star rating, placing it at 28th in the same category. These distinctions underscore City Index’s slightly more favorable cost structure and service offerings for the average trader.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.98 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When considering the available range of investments, City Index offers a significantly wider selection compared to ActivTrades. City Index provides access to a remarkable 13,500 tradeable symbols, highlighting its expansive portfolio for trading enthusiasts. In contrast, ActivTrades features 1,267 tradeable symbols. For forex trading, both brokers offer this as a CFD or spot contract, with City Index providing 66 forex pairs and ActivTrades offering 49 forex pairs. When looking for exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, both brokers fall short, as neither offers this service. However, ActivTrades stands out with the ability to trade securities on international exchanges, unlike City Index.
Both City Index and ActivTrades support cryptocurrency derivatives, yet neither facilitates the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Moreover, copy trading is available through both platforms. Despite several similarities, City Index's broader range of offerings earns it a 5-star rating for its range of investments, ranking 8th out of 63 brokers, whereas ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and ranks 31st. This comparison suggests that those seeking an extensive selection of trading options might find City Index a more suitable choice.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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 ActivTrades both provide comprehensive trading platforms, catering to various trading needs. Both brokers offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risks. Their offerings include proprietary platforms that are developed in-house, Windows-based desktop platforms, and browser-based trading options, ensuring seamless access from multiple devices. Additionally, both brokers support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4), with ActivTrades further extending its support to MetaTrader 5 (MT5), giving traders more versatility. Both brokers include copy trading capabilities but do not offer DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
When it comes to charting tools, City Index stands out with a robust selection of 239 drawing tools, compared to ActivTrades' 15. Both platforms allow traders to execute orders directly from stock charts, offering a rate of 11 columns in watch lists for staying organized. City Index earns a higher rating for its trading platforms and tools, scoring 4.5 stars and ranking 11th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades, with a slightly lower score of 4 stars, is positioned 30th in the same ranking. These attributes make City Index particularly appealing for those looking for a rich array of charting and trading functionalities.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps that are compatible with iPhone and Android devices, and they each provide access to stock or forex price alerts. While both platforms allow traders to draw trendlines and view various time frames on charts, City Index takes the lead with a more comprehensive charting package, offering 88 technical studies compared to ActivTrades' 30. Additionally, City Index supports watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring seamless updates between the mobile app and the online account, a feature not available with ActivTrades. Both apps auto-save chart drawings and let users create watchlists with real-time quotes.
In terms of ratings and rankings, City Index is rated higher with 4.5 stars for its mobile trading app, compared to ActivTrades, which holds a 4-star rating. City Index also ranks 9th out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category on ForexBrokers.com, whereas ActivTrades is ranked 19th. These distinctions highlight City Index’s strength in mobile trading capabilities, making it a slightly more appealing choice for users focused on comprehensive app features and seamless integration.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Both City Index and ActivTrades provide traders with daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring you stay updated with the latest market movements. While neither broker offers research tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading, City Index distinguishes itself by offering technical analysis tools from Trading Central, which ActivTrades does not provide. Both brokers facilitate sentiment-based trading tools and feature economic calendars to help traders keep track of important news and market events. However, neither includes market research from TipRanks.
In terms of research quality, City Index edges ahead with a rating of 4.5 stars, compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where City Index holds the 10th spot out of 63 brokers, significantly higher than ActivTrades, which stands at 30th. These distinctions highlight City Index's stronger position, making it a preferred choice for traders prioritizing comprehensive research tools and insights.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both City Index and ActivTrades offer a comprehensive range of materials designed to enhance your trading knowledge. Each broker provides a minimum of 10 educational pieces focusing on forex or CFDs, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. If you enjoy learning through interactive sessions, you'll appreciate that both brokers host at least one online educational client webinar every month, with the added advantage of having access to a searchable archive of these sessions.
City Index stands out with its investor dictionary, featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms, which is an offering that ActivTrades lacks. Moreover, City Index provides an extensive selection of educational videos tailored to both beginners and advanced traders, matching ActivTrades' efforts in these areas. Based on user ratings, City Index scores 4.5 stars for education, edging out ActivTrades' 4-star rating. This difference is reflected in their rankings among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, with City Index securing the #9 spot while ActivTrades is placed at #38. For beginners keen on thorough educational resources, City Index appears to have a slight edge over ActivTrades.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that City Index is better than ActivTrades. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
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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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
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Both City Index and ActivTrades do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency but do provide options to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index offers ACH, SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing funds, while ActivTrades supports Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires but does not offer ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal.
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 | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | ActivTrades Review |
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| Regulation | City Index | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2001 | |
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 | |
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | City Index | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | ActivTrades Review |
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