Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Axi, 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 Axi are both well-known online brokers, but they differ in terms of trust and regulation. Founded in 1983, City Index has a long-standing presence in the industry and is publicly traded, enhancing its credibility. It boasts an impressive Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its reputation as a highly trusted platform. City Index holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, making it a top choice for traders who prioritize security. In addition, it holds 1 Tier-2 license, further emphasizing its commitment to compliance and reliability.
In comparison, Axi was founded in 2007 and is not publicly traded. With a Trust Score of 82, Axi is considered a trusted option among users but falls short of City Index's exemplary standing. Axi possesses 2 Tier-1 licenses, indicating a solid level of trustworthiness, along with 1 Tier-2 license. While Axi is a dependable choice for traders, those seeking the highest regulatory credentials might lean towards City Index, given its extensive licensing and top Trust Score rating.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2007 |
| 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 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, City Index offers a competitive structure for trading CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, aligning closely with industry standards. City Index customers can take advantage of better pricing by using the company's proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. Notably, City Index provides an enticing option for active traders with its Premium Trader account, available to those with deposits exceeding £10,000. This account offers a suite of benefits, including access to exclusive pricing and dedicated customer service. For standard CFD accounts, City Index maintains an average spread of 0.74 pips on EUR/USD, which places it at par with the industry average, although it still trails leaders like Tickmill and FP Markets. Additionally, City Index provides rebates to professional traders in the U.K. and Australia based on monthly trading volume, ranging from £4 to £7.5 per million and AUD $4.5 to AUD $14.5 per million, respectively.
In contrast, Axi does not publicly provide average spread data, making direct comparisons more challenging. Despite this lack of detailed fee information, Axi still manages to maintain a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees. This contrasts with City Index's higher rating of 4.5 stars, reflecting its more detailed and potentially more favorable fee structure for traders who prioritize rebates and multiple account options.
In terms of rankings for commissions and fees, City Index stands at the 14th position out of 63 brokers listed by ForexBrokers.com. Axi ranks lower at 43rd. These rankings underscore City Index's slightly more advantageous pricing and fee offerings within the industry, bolstered by their active trader incentives and average spread transparency.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| 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 comparing the range of investments at City Index and Axi, there are distinct differences that might influence an investor's choice. City Index offers an impressive 13,500 tradeable symbols, significantly surpassing Axi's 175 symbols. Both brokers provide forex trading options in the form of CFDs or spot contracts, with City Index slightly edging out Axi by offering 66 tradeable forex pairs compared to Axi's 65. Neither of the brokers provide exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning clients won't be able to buy shares directly, such as Apple or Vodafone shares. Similarly, neither City Index nor Axi allows clients to buy actual cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency derivatives as investment options.
In terms of added functionality, both brokers feature a copy trading option, which can be appealing to those new to trading or looking to follow more experienced investors. City Index takes a clear lead with a 5-star rating for Range of Investments, placing it at rank #8 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Axi holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #56. These ratings reflect City Index's broader scope of tradeable symbols and investment opportunities, making it potentially more attractive for those seeking a wider variety of investment options.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 175 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 65 |
| 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.
When comparing City Index and Axi, both brokers provide a free virtual demo account, enabling traders to dip their toes into the platform with simulated trading. City Index takes an edge with its proprietary platform, offering a unique trading experience developed in-house, as opposed to Axi, which relies on external platforms. Both brokers provide platforms for Windows-based desktop downloads and browser-based trading, making them versatile for different user preferences. Both also offer the ubiquitous MetaTrader 4 (MT4), but neither support its successor, MetaTrader 5 (MT5). For those looking into social trading, both brokers include copy trading features, but only Axi integrates with ZuluTrade.
When it comes to charting tools, City Index provides a significant advantage with 239 drawing tools, compared to Axi's 15, although the exact number of technical indicators offered by each remains unspecified. Both brokers allow trading directly from charts, facilitating immediate actionable insights. In terms of watch list customization, City Index also leads with 11 column fields versus Axi's 7. This comprehensive offering reflects in their ratings, with City Index earning 4.5 stars for trading platforms and tools, ranking 11th out of 63 brokers, while Axi follows with a 3.5-star rating, positioned at 63rd. Such distinctions highlight City Index's stronger performance in delivering a richer trading experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| 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 comparing mobile trading apps from City Index and Axi, both platforms provide iPhone and Android applications, making them accessible to a wide range of users. Both apps offer stock or forex price alerts and enable users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. However, City Index holds an edge with several additional features not available in Axi's app. City Index supports watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring your watchlists are consistent across devices. This feature is absent in Axi's offering. Furthermore, City Index boasts 88 technical studies for charting, compared to Axi's 30, offering more tools for in-depth analysis. The City Index app also auto-saves chart drawings, a convenience that Axi does not provide.
Both platforms allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing their ability to monitor asset performance. User ratings reflect the differences between the two, with City Index receiving 4.5 stars for its mobile trading app compared to Axi's 3.5 stars. On ForexBrokers.com, City Index stands out with a ranking of #9 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, while Axi is ranked #59. Overall, City Index's mobile trading app offers a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience for traders who value detailed analytics and syncing across devices.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing City Index and Axi for their market research offerings, City Index provides a slightly more comprehensive service. City Index stands out with daily market commentary and offers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, similar to Axi. Additionally, City Index includes technical analysis tools from Trading Central and a sentiment-based trading tool, equipping traders with insightful data. While both brokers have economic calendars to track global events, City Index does not offer Autochartist tools, unlike Axi. However, neither offers research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading's tools.
Evaluating user experience, City Index is rated 4.5 stars for research, significantly higher than Axi's 3 stars. Reflecting this, City Index places 10th out of 63 in the research category on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Axi is ranked 55th. City Index's higher ranking showcases its superiority in providing users with reliable, varied research tools compared to Axi, making it a preferred choice for those seeking detailed market insights.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| 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 aspiring traders, City Index and Axi both offer a wide range of forex and CFD learning materials, ensuring beginners can get started with confidence. Both platforms provide over ten educational pieces each, spanning articles, videos, and webinars, making them solid choices for those looking to learn the ropes of trading. Additionally, each broker hosts online educational webinars monthly, which is a great way for traders to engage and learn in a dynamic setting. Also, both City Index and Axi cater to visual learners with educational videos designed for beginners.
However, City Index stands out with several added features. It offers a searchable archive of past webinars, allowing learners to revisit crucial learning sessions anytime. Additionally, City Index provides over ten advanced educational videos tailored for experienced traders, which Axi currently does not. Both platforms offer an investor dictionary with definitions of at least 50 investing terms, but City Index emerges as the more comprehensive option for educational resources. This is reflected in their ratings, with City Index scoring 4.5 stars for education compared to Axi’s 3 stars, and their respective rankings out of 63 brokers, where City Index ranks 9th and Axi 27th according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Axi. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Axi finished with an overall rank of #49.
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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Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 |
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Both City Index and Axi do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index provides more flexible payment options compared to Axi, as it supports ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal for depositing and withdrawing funds, alongside Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while Axi also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but differs by offering Skrill as an option instead of ACH/SEPA transfers and 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 | Axi | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Axi | |
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| Regulation | City Index | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2007 | |
| 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 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | City Index | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 175 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 65 | |
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | City Index | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | City Index | Axi | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
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