Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs easyMarkets, 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 easyMarkets are both notable players in the world of online brokerage, but they differ significantly when it comes to trust and regulatory oversight. Founded in 1983, City Index stands out with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating a high level of trust. The company is publicly traded and holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, known for their stringent regulatory standards. Additionally, City Index has one Tier-2 license, reinforcing its commitment to providing a secure trading environment.
On the other hand, easyMarkets, founded in 2001, holds a lower ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 84, placing it in the "trusted" category but not at the high level of City Index. Unlike its competitor, easyMarkets is not publicly traded yet maintains regulatory credibility with two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. While both brokers are not banks, their differing regulatory track records and business structures might influence traders seeking confidence in their financial activities.
| Feature |
City Index
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 offers competitive pricing for trading CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, aligning with the industry standard. Traders seeking optimal pricing can utilize City Index’s proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. The brokerage caters to different levels of traders with the Premium Trader account, available for deposits over £10,000, providing exclusive pricing and dedicated support. For standard CFD accounts, City Index features an average spread of 0.74 pips on EUR/USD, which is competitive, though still behind top-tier brokers like Tickmill. Additionally, City Index offers rebates for high-volume traders, starting at £4 per million for over £25 million traded monthly in the UK and up to AUD $14.5 for tier-3 traders in Australia. For commissions and fees, City Index is rated 4.5 stars and ranked 14th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, easyMarkets offers fixed and variable spreads depending on the platform used. For trades through its proprietary platform and TradingView, spreads are fixed at 0.8 pips for EUR/USD. On MT4, the Standard account has significantly higher spreads at 1.7 pips, while the VIP account reduces them to 0.7 pips. MT5 users can expect a variable spread starting at 0.7 pips. Despite these options, easyMarkets lags behind some of the most cost-effective options in the industry. For commissions and fees, easyMarkets holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 52nd out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, City Index offers a more cost-efficient trading experience compared to easyMarkets, with competitive spreads and enticing rebates for high-volume traders. While easyMarkets provides fixed spreads and a straightforward fee structure, it falls behind in cost-effectiveness, particularly for traders using MT4. These differences influence their respective rankings and ratings, with City Index standing out for its better value for money in the realm of commissions and fees.
| Feature |
City Index
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.8 |
| 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 easyMarkets both offer dynamic platforms for trading forex as CFDs, allowing traders to speculate on currency movements without owning the underlying assets. City Index shines with a massive selection of 13,500 tradeable symbols, far surpassing easyMarkets' 230 symbols. Specifically, in the forex arena, City Index offers 66 tradeable forex pairs compared to easyMarkets' 63 pairs. This provides traders with a slightly broader range of currency pairs to explore when using City Index.
Neither platform offers exchange-traded securities, so clients cannot buy shares like Apple or Vodafone directly through these brokers. Both City Index and easyMarkets support copy trading, and they allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, though not direct cryptocurrency purchases. However, when it comes to the range of investments, City Index is rated higher with 5 stars and holds the 8th rank out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. easyMarkets, while reliable, garners a 3.5-star rating and ranks 54th in the same category, showcasing City Index’s clear edge in investment variety.
| Feature |
City Index
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 230 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 63 |
| 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 easyMarkets both deliver comprehensive trading platforms engineered to meet various trading needs. Both brokers provide access to free virtual demo accounts, letting users practice trading without financial risk. Each offers a proprietary platform developed in-house, in addition to popular platforms like MetaTrader 4. However, easyMarkets extends its offering with MetaTrader 5, which City Index does not. When it comes to desktop options, both brokers provide Windows-based platforms, alongside web-based platforms for those who prefer trading via browser. The ability to trade directly from stock charts is available with both brokers, enhancing workflow efficiency for traders.
In terms of advanced features, City Index provides 11 columns for watch lists compared to easyMarkets' 8, showcasing a slight advantage in customization. Charting tools display a more substantial difference: City Index offers a hefty 239 drawing tools, overshadowing easyMarkets' 30 tools. Both platforms support copy trading; however, neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade integrations. With a rating of 4.5 stars for its platforms and tools, City Index surpasses easyMarkets' 4-star rating, also ranked significantly higher at 11th place out of 63 brokers, compared to easyMarkets' 35th spot according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
City Index
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both City Index and easyMarkets offer iPhone and Android versions to cater to traders on the go. City Index stands out by providing stock and forex price alerts, a feature that easyMarkets lacks. Both platforms ensure seamless user experience with watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online accounts. However, City Index pulls ahead in charting capabilities, offering 88 technical studies compared to easyMarkets' 81. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, but only City Index automatically saves chart drawings. Real-time quote watchlists can be created on both apps, yet City Index's more comprehensive charting features and price alerts contribute to its higher rating.
City Index garners a 4.5-star rating for its mobile trading app, reflecting its superior tools and features, while easyMarkets receives 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, City Index is ranked #9 out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, indicating a strong reputation among traders. In contrast, easyMarkets holds the #30 spot, showing it's a competitive choice but with room for improvement. Ultimately, for traders seeking an app with advanced alert and charting functionality, City Index presents a more enticing option, whereas easyMarkets could be suitable for those looking for a straightforward and well-synced experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 81 |
| 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 easyMarkets in terms of the market research they provide, both brokers offer daily market commentary and forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. They provide tools from Trading Central, enabling traders to utilize technical analytics efficiently, and both platforms include sentiment-based trading tools to visualize the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. Additionally, each broker features an economic calendar, which highlights current and upcoming global news events that can influence market dynamics.
Despite these similarities, City Index sets itself apart with a higher research rating of 4.5 stars compared to easyMarkets' 3.5-star rating. This distinction contributes to City Index's position as the 10th ranked broker for research out of 63, according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas easyMarkets ranks at 43rd. While neither broker offers tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, the differences in their overall rankings and ratings underscore City Index's edge in delivering insightful market research.
| Feature |
City Index
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
City Index and easyMarkets are both online brokers offering a solid range of educational resources for beginners interested in forex and CFDs trading. Both platforms provide more than 10 educational resources, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also host monthly online webinars to help clients learn trading skills, and both have searchable archives for previously recorded webinars, offering flexibility to learners who want to go at their own pace. Additionally, you can find at least 10 beginner-friendly educational videos on trading topics with both brokers, ideal for those just starting.
However, when digging deeper into the educational offerings, City Index stands out slightly more. It not only offers beginner videos but also provides at least 10 advanced educational videos for those looking to enhance their trading expertise. Moreover, both City Index and easyMarkets offer an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, a useful tool for demystifying trading jargon. While City Index boasts a higher education rating of 4.5 stars compared to easyMarkets' 3.5 stars, it also ranks higher in the Education category, being placed 9th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas easyMarkets sits at 39th. This ranking underscores City Index's commitment to providing comprehensive educational resources for traders at all skill levels.
| Feature |
City Index
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 easyMarkets. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while easyMarkets finished with an overall rank of #42.
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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easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 |
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Both City Index and easyMarkets do not offer the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index and easyMarkets both support ACH or SEPA transfers, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for account transactions, but differ as City Index additionally offers PayPal, whereas easyMarkets includes Skrill for depositing or withdrawing funds.
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 | easyMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | easyMarkets Review |
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| Regulation | City Index | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | City Index | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 230 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 63 | |
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $25 | |
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 81 | |
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | easyMarkets Review |
| Overall | City Index | easyMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | easyMarkets Review |
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