Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs BDSwiss, 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, established in 1983, stands as a leading online broker widely recognized for its highly trusted standing. It boasts a remarkable ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, reflecting its strong reputation. As a publicly traded company, City Index offers clients the confidence that comes with its seven Tier-1 licenses, adhering to top regulatory standards. Additionally, its single Tier-2 license further supports its trusted operational practices, underscoring its commitment to client safety and transparency.
In contrast, BDSwiss, founded in 2012, offers a more moderate level of trust in the online trading landscape. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 73, it is categorized within the average risk range. Although BDSwiss is not publicly traded, it holds one Tier-1 license, maintaining a basic level of compliance with recognized authorities. However, lacking any Tier-2 licenses may impact perceptions of trust, making it crucial for potential investors to consider these factors when choosing between the two brokers.
| Feature |
City Index
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2012 |
| 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 | 2 |
City Index vs. BDSwiss on commissions and fees: City Index earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #15 out of 63 brokers for this category, while BDSwiss holds 4/5 stars and ranks #31 out of 63. On EUR/USD, City Index posts an average spread of 0.74 pips (July 2023), which sits around the industry average and under BDSwiss’s Classic (1.5 pips), VIP (1.2 pips), and Raw account’s effective cost of about 1.3 pips (0.3 pips plus a $5 per side commission).
City Index pricing for CFDs, forex, and spread betting is in line with the market, and you’ll typically see its best rates on City Index’s own platforms or MetaTrader. Active clients who deposit more than £10,000 may qualify for the Premium Trader account, which adds exclusive pricing, events, content, and dedicated support. Professional traders can also access cash rebates: in the U.K., £4 per million after £25M in monthly volume, rising to £7.5 per million above £300M; in Australia, rebates range from AUD $4.5 to $14.5 per million by tier.
BDSwiss offers competitive execution but generally higher spreads than the cheapest providers. Its EUR/USD pricing is 1.5 pips on the Classic account, 1.2 pips on VIP, and about 1.3 pips total on the Raw account after commissions. If low spreads on major forex pairs are your priority, City Index typically comes out cheaper based on these quotes, though real trading costs will vary with market conditions, account type, product, and platform.
| Feature |
City Index
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 1.3 |
| 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.
City Index and BDSwiss both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, support copy trading, and offer cryptocurrency exposure via derivatives (not actual coins). Neither broker provides access to exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international stock exchanges. The key difference is scale: City Index lists about 13,500 tradable symbols and 66 forex pairs, while BDSwiss offers around 1,081 symbols and 53 forex pairs. If you want more markets and instruments to choose from, City Index clearly has the wider range.
Independent ratings back this up. For Range of Investments, City Index earns 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared with BDSwiss at 4 stars and #35. In short, City Index suits traders who value a larger selection of markets, while BDSwiss covers the essentials with fewer choices.
| Feature |
City Index
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1081 |
| 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.
For anyone looking to choose between City Index and BDSwiss, both online brokers offer an array of trading platforms and tools to enhance your trading experience. City Index and BDSwiss both provide free demo accounts, which is great for beginners or those wanting to test strategies without risk. Both brokers have developed their own proprietary platforms and offer additional popular tools like MetaTrader 4. Windows users will be pleased to know both brokers support desktop download platforms and provide web-based platforms that can be accessed through a browser. Moreover, copy trading is available with each, allowing traders to mimic the strategies of others to potentially enhance their own results.
When it comes to technical features, City Index offers a notable advantage with 239 drawing tools for charting, compared to BDSwiss's 15. Additionally, for those who are particular about their watch lists, City Index allows up to 11 columns, whereas BDSwiss offers 7. Despite these differences, both platforms allow direct trading from stock charts, facilitating a seamless trading process. User reviews reflect these features, with City Index earning a higher rating of 4.5 stars for platforms and tools, compared to BDSwiss's 4 stars. Ranked #11 and #24 respectively on ForexBrokers.com, both brokers stand strong, yet City Index seems to have a slight edge in this category.
| Feature |
City Index
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
City Index and BDSwiss both provide mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android, catering to modern traders who need flexibility and access on the go. Both platforms offer features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and the option to view multiple time frames. However, City Index distinguishes itself by allowing watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and the user's online account, which BDSwiss lacks. Moreover, City Index delivers a much more detailed charting experience with 88 technical studies compared to the 30 provided by BDSwiss.
In terms of additional features, both apps auto-save chart drawings and offer real-time quote watchlists. User satisfaction is slightly higher for City Index, with a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, compared to BDSwiss's 4-star rating. Reflecting these differences, City Index ranks #9 in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss holds the #24 spot out of 63 brokers. These rankings highlight City Index as a preferred choice for traders seeking comprehensive app features and enhanced user experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 the market research offerings of City Index and BDSwiss, both brokers provide daily market commentary, keeping traders updated with essential insights. However, City Index stands out by offering forex news from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, which BDSwiss does not provide. Both brokers feature tools from Trading Central for technical analysis, yet BDSwiss also includes Autochartist tools, enhancing its research toolkit. A notable distinction is City Index's provision of sentiment-based trading tools, which BDSwiss lacks, adding an extra layer of market understanding for City Index users.
Both platforms offer access to economic calendars for tracking important global news events. However, neither includes research tools from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Based on research ratings, City Index outperforms BDSwiss, receiving 4.5 stars compared to BDSwiss’s 4 stars. In a broader comparison ranked by ForexBrokers.com, City Index also excels, securing the 10th spot out of 63 brokers, whereas BDSwiss ranks 24th. These differences reflect City Index's more comprehensive market research support, giving it a slight edge for traders seeking detailed market analysis.
| Feature |
City Index
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
City Index and BDSwiss both offer beginner-friendly trading education that covers the basics and helps you grow. Each provides 10+ pieces of forex and CFD content, monthly live webinars, and a searchable library of recorded sessions. You’ll also find at least 10 beginner videos at both brokers, plus 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper. To decode market jargon, each platform includes an investor dictionary with 50+ terms.
For overall quality, City Index stands out: it earns 4.5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers for Education on ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss holds 4 stars and ranks #22. If you want the strongest learning path from day one, City Index has the edge. If you’re seeking a well-rounded lineup of videos, webinars, and a helpful glossary, BDSwiss also fits the bill.
| Feature |
City Index
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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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BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both City Index and BDSwiss do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index and BDSwiss both support ACH, SEPA transfers, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but City Index uniquely offers PayPal, whereas BDSwiss provides Skrill as an alternative option.
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 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | City Index | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| 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) | City Index | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | City Index | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1081 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | City Index | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | City Index | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | BDSwiss Review |
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