Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs AvaTrade, 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 AvaTrade are both established online brokers, each with distinct regulatory credentials. City Index, a publicly traded company since its founding in 1983, is recognized for its exemplary trustworthiness, boasting the highest possible ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99. This veteran broker holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, representing the highest level of regulatory compliance, along with 1 Tier-2 license. In comparison, AvaTrade, established in 2006, operates privately and holds an impressive Trust Score of 94. AvaTrade maintains a solid regulatory portfolio with 4 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses.
While neither City Index nor AvaTrade operates as a bank, both brokers uphold strong regulatory standards. City Index is noteworthy for its extensive range of Tier-1 licenses, indicating a broad global regulatory approval, which is pivotal for investors prioritizing high trust. AvaTrade, although younger and not publicly listed, still benefits from a substantial number of regulatory endorsements, ensuring a high level of trust for its users. Both brokers cater well to traders with an eye for regulation and security but stand apart in their market tenure and public ownership.
| Feature |
City Index
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
City Index and AvaTrade are both highly regarded in terms of their commissions and fee structures, each earning an impressive 4.5-star rating for their offerings. For City Index, the pricing on CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products generally aligns with industry norms. Users can take advantage of better pricing when using City Index’s proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. The broker also offers a Premium Trader account for active investors with deposits over £10,000, offering perks such as exclusive pricing and dedicated support. Typical spreads for City Index’s CFD account are approximately 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD, which is average when compared to other leading brokers such as Tickmill and FP Markets.
AvaTrade maintains its competitive edge with spreads that are close to the industry average, slightly under one pip (0.9 pips), although this is somewhat higher than what’s offered by entry-level accounts at CMC Markets and Tickmill. AvaTrade’s Professional account caters to qualified professional traders, delivering tighter spreads of 0.6 pips. Compared to FP Markets, these rates are indeed favorable for those eligible for their professional accounts. Both brokers provide rebate programs to incentivize higher trading volumes, further enhancing their value for active traders.
In terms of rankings by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category, AvaTrade takes a slight lead, securing the 12th spot among 63 brokers, while City Index follows closely at 14th place. Despite the slight difference in ranking, both brokers offer competitive fee structures that appeal to a broad range of trading preferences and volumes.
| Feature |
City Index
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.61 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
City Index and AvaTrade both provide opportunities for forex trading with CFD (Contracts for Difference) or spot contract options, making them accessible for traders interested in foreign exchange. City Index stands out with its extensive array of tradeable symbols, offering 13,500 options, significantly more than AvaTrade's 1,260. For investors focusing on forex pairs, City Index provides 66 pairs compared to AvaTrade's 53, offering diversity in both equity and forex categories. Both platforms support copy trading, allowing users to replicate successful trading strategies, even though neither offers actual exchange traded securities or the option to buy direct cryptocurrency.
When it comes to cryptocurrency, both brokers offer derivatives but not the purchase of actual digital assets. City Index outshines AvaTrade with a five-star rating for its range of investments, higher than AvaTrade's four-star review. Moreover, City Index is ranked #8 by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers in the range of investments category, while AvaTrade is positioned at #32. Overall, City Index may appeal more to those prioritizing a wider range of tradeable symbols and a higher ranking for investment variety, whereas AvaTrade still provides credible options for forex traders and those interested in derivatives.
| Feature |
City Index
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 53 |
| 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.
Both City Index and AvaTrade offer a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools that are designed to cater to a wide range of traders, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Both brokers provide simulated trading via a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice their strategies risk-free. They each offer proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop platforms, and web-based trading platforms, ensuring accessibility and ease of use for all users. Additionally, both brokers support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and facilitate copy trading, with City Index providing 239 drawing tools for charting, compared to AvaTrade's 13.
A major distinguishing feature is AvaTrade's inclusion of MetaTrader 5 (MT5), DupliTrade, and ZuluTrade, expanding options for traders who seek more diversified tools and automation features. Both brokers allow traders to place trades directly from stock charts, optimizing the user experience. However, City Index offers 11 columns for watch lists, providing more customizable options than AvaTrade's 7. Both brokers receive a commendable rating of 4.5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, with City Index ranked slightly higher at #11 compared to AvaTrade's #13 by ForexBrokers.com, highlighting their competitive but distinct offerings in the trading domain.
| Feature |
City Index
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 13 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When weighing the options between City Index and AvaTrade for mobile trading apps, both platforms offer apps compatible with both iPhone and Android devices. They are equipped with valuable features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, making them convenient for traders on the move. Both apps also sync watchlists with clients' online accounts, ensuring seamless transitions between mobile and desktop trading. Additionally, users can draw trendlines and view different time frames on charts with each app. However, City Index charts automatically save your drawings, an edge over AvaTrade, which lacks this feature.
In terms of technical capabilities, City Index shines by offering 88 technical studies in its charting tools, compared to AvaTrade's 73. Both platforms have earned a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. Yet, when evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, City Index holds a slight advantage, ranking 9th out of 63 brokers, while AvaTrade comes in at 13th. This positions City Index as a slightly more feature-rich option for serious traders seeking a comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of City Index and AvaTrade, there are some notable differences and similarities. City Index stands out with its daily market commentary, providing traders with timely insights into market movements. Both City Index and AvaTrade provide forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have access to reliable information. Additionally, both brokers offer tools from Trading Central, such as Technical Analytics, and provide sentiment-based trading tools that show the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments. However, neither City Index nor AvaTrade offers tools from Autochartist or market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
For traders who rely on an economic calendar to track global news events, both City Index and AvaTrade have this feature. In terms of research ratings, City Index scores slightly higher with 4.5 stars compared to AvaTrade's 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, City Index is ranked #10 out of 63 brokers for research capabilities, while AvaTrade holds the #34 spot. Overall, while both brokers offer valuable market research features, City Index edges ahead in terms of daily commentary and overall research ranking.
| Feature |
City Index
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| 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.
For beginners eager to learn about forex and CFDs, both City Index and AvaTrade provide a wealth of educational resources. Each offers more than 10 educational pieces that include articles, videos, and archived webinars, laying a solid foundation for newcomers. Furthermore, both brokers host at least one educational webinar each month, ensuring that clients have frequent opportunities to expand their knowledge. The availability of a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars means that learners can revisit past topics at their convenience.
In terms of video content, both City Index and AvaTrade cater to beginners and advanced traders alike, offering at least 10 videos in each category. Their educational commitment extends to comprehensive investor dictionaries, with both boasting over 50 investing terms defined, helping traders understand the jargon. Despite City Index receiving a slightly higher education rating of 4.5 stars compared to AvaTrade's 4 stars, ForexBrokers.com ranks AvaTrade higher at #2 in the education category among 63 brokers, compared to City Index's rank of #9. This showcases AvaTrade’s strong standing, even though City Index offers slightly more in terms of educational ratings.
| Feature |
City Index
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that City Index is better than AvaTrade. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13.
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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AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 |
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Both City Index and AvaTrade provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither offers the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
When comparing online brokers City Index and AvaTrade, City Index supports ACH and SEPA transfers while AvaTrade does not, both brokers offer PayPal and Visa or Mastercard for account transactions, City Index lacks Skrill as an option unlike AvaTrade, and both allow bank wire deposits and withdrawals.
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 | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | AvaTrade | |
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| Regulation | City Index | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 53 | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.61 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 80 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 13 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | City Index | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | City Index | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | AvaTrade Review |
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