Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs ACY Securities, 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.
For investors seeking a trusted online broker, City Index and ACY Securities present distinct options in terms of trust and regulation. City Index, founded in 1983, stands as a well-established entity in the financial markets and is publicly traded. It boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, positioning it as a highly trusted broker. With 7 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, City Index signifies a strong regulatory standing, offering clients a secure trading environment. Despite not being a bank, its extensive regulatory oversight makes it a reliable choice for traders.
In contrast, ACY Securities, operating since 2011, is not publicly traded and holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 75, categorizing it as an average risk broker. With only 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses, ACY Securities provides a less comprehensive regulatory framework compared to City Index. While both brokers are faithful to their duty as non-bank entities, for traders prioritizing high trust and regulatory assurance, City Index distinguishes itself as the more secure option.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2011 |
| 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 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of City Index and ACY Securities, both brokers offer competitive pricing options for traders, though their structures and accounts differ. City Index provides typical industry-average pricing for CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, especially when utilizing their proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. Eligible active traders with deposits over £10,000 can upgrade to the Premium Trader account, gaining access to exclusive rates and enhanced services. With an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD, City Index's all-in cost aligns with standard industry rates, but it might not be as favorable as top forex brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets. They also offer rebate options for active traders in the UK and Australia, potentially reducing trading costs further.
In contrast, ACY Securities is known for catering to a wide range of traders through its different account types, which vary in their pricing structures. Their Standard account, with its low $50 deposit requirement, has spreads averaging 1.2 pips on the EUR/USD, which is higher than the industry average. However, their commission-based ProZero and Bespoke accounts offer more competitive spreads, which can drop to 0.25 pips under certain conditions. For traders based in Australia, ACY provides even more attractive pricing for their ProZero account, with effective spreads reaching 0.55 pips, putting them on par with industry leaders. Each commission-based account comes with varying minimum deposits and commission rates.
Both City Index and ACY Securities have earned a commendable rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 for their commissions and fees. However, in terms of overall ranking by ForexBrokers.com, City Index secures the 14th spot, whereas ACY Securities trails at the 21st position out of 63 evaluated brokers. This indicates a slight edge for City Index regarding broader cost-efficiency in trading, although both are highly regarded within the industry.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.85 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Both City Index and ACY Securities offer a range of investment options suited for forex traders. They provide forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, making them accessible for trading currency pairs. While both brokers offer 66 tradeable forex pairs each, City Index surpasses ACY Securities with a total of 13,500 tradeable symbols compared to ACY's 2,200. This broader selection contributes to City Index's higher rating and ranking in the Range of Investments category, securing a 5-star rating and ranking 8th out of 63 brokers, whereas ACY Securities holds a 4-star rating, coming in at 30th place.
Despite their diverse offerings, neither broker allows trading of exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, such as purchasing shares of Apple or Vodafone directly. However, both City Index and ACY Securities offer copy trading and have ventured into the cryptocurrency market by offering derivatives, though not actual cryptocurrency purchases. These shared features underscore their commitment to catering to varied trading needs, though City Index is recognized for providing a more extensive investment range.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 2200 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 66 |
| 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 ACY Securities both provide traders with the flexibility and necessary resources to enhance their trading experience. Both brokers offer a free demo account for simulated trading, making it easy for new and seasoned traders to practice strategies risk-free. They each have proprietary platforms developed in-house, available as Windows-based desktop applications as well as web-based platforms. Additionally, both support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform and offer copy trading services. However, ACY Securities has the added advantage of supporting MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which City Index does not.
For charting tools and functionality, City Index surpasses ACY Securities with 239 drawing tools compared to ACY's 15. Each allows trading directly from the stock chart, but City Index stands out with more customizable watch list columns, offering 11 fields to ACY Securities' 7. In terms of overall ratings, City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, positioning it as the 11th best among 63 brokers ranked by ForexBrokers.com, whereas ACY Securities scores a respectable 4 stars and is ranked 41st. While both brokers provide comprehensive trading resources, City Index edges ahead with a broader suite of tools and higher industry rankings.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of City Index and ACY Securities, both brokers offer dedicated apps for iPhone and Android devices, ensuring traders can stay connected on the go. Notifications for stock or forex price changes are available on both platforms, helping users remain alert to market shifts. However, City Index stands out by providing seamless synchronization between mobile app watchlists and online accounts, a feature missing from ACY Securities. This can be crucial for traders who frequently move between devices and need real-time updates.
City Index further distinguishes itself with an impressive suite of 88 technical studies for in-depth chart analysis, compared to the 30 offered by ACY Securities. Both apps support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts, offering flexibility for different trading strategies. Convenience features such as auto-saving chart drawings and creating watchlists with real-time quotes are also present in both apps. City Index's excellence in user experience is reflected in its 4.5-star rating, outshining ACY Securities' 4 stars. This distinction is echoed in ForexBrokers.com's rankings, where City Index stands at #9 out of 63 brokers, while ACY Securities falls behind at #40.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 City Index and ACY Securities in terms of market research offerings, several key differences stand out. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and maintain an economic calendar to track global news. However, City Index goes further by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which ACY Securities does not. Additionally, City Index provides more advanced technical analysis tools, such as those from Trading Central, and offers a sentiment-based trading tool to help investors gauge market mood across various instruments. On the contrary, ACY Securities does not have these features.
In terms of overall research ratings, City Index scores 4.5 out of 5 stars, ranking it as #10 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ACY Securities receives a lower rating of 3.5 stars, placing it at #45. This indicates that City Index offers a more comprehensive suite of research tools and information sources, potentially making it a more attractive choice for traders who prioritize in-depth market analysis and reliable financial news.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| 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.
When comparing City Index and ACY Securities as online brokers, particularly in terms of educational resources for beginners, City Index stands out. Both brokers provide more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, complemented by regular online client webinars and accessible archives of past sessions. Each platform caters well to beginners with a substantial collection of educational videos. However, City Index takes a further step by also offering advanced educational videos aimed at more experienced traders. Additionally, City Index provides an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms to help newcomers get familiar with trading vocabulary, a feature ACY Securities does not offer.
Ratings and rankings further highlight the educational benefits of choosing City Index. With an education rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, compared to ACY Securities' 3.5 stars, City Index clearly appeals more to those starting out in trading. This distinction is mirrored in their respective rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where City Index is rated as the 9th best out of 63 brokers for education, while ACY Securities is ranked 43rd. This makes City Index a more compelling choice for those keen on building a solid educational foundation in trading.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| 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 ACY Securities. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while ACY Securities finished with an overall rank of #41.
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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ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 |
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Both City Index and ACY Securities provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither broker offers the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both City Index and ACY Securities facilitate easy transactions through ACH or SEPA transfers and accept Visa or Mastercard and bank wire payments, but City Index offers the additional convenience of PayPal, while ACY Securities caters to Skrill users instead.
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 | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
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| Review | City Index Review | ACY Securities Review |
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| Regulation | City Index | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2011 | |
| 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 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 2200 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 66 | |
| 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 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.85 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | City Index | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Research | City Index | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ACY Securities Review |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | ACY Securities Review |
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