Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Exness, 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, founded in 1983, stands as a highly trusted online broker, evidenced by its stellar Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. It holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, providing a solid foundation for security and reliability. Additionally, City Index is publicly traded, offering an added layer of transparency and oversight. Despite not being a bank, its long-standing presence in the market and significant regulatory backing make it a prominent choice for traders prioritizing trust.
On the other hand, Exness, established in 2008, maintains a Trust Score of 81, positioning it in the trusted category according to ForexBrokers.com. Exness holds two Tier-1 licenses and further bolsters its credentials with three Tier-2 licenses. While it is not publicly traded, the company has steadily crafted a reputation for trustworthiness over the years. Even though both brokers are not banks, they offer differing levels of regulatory assurance, with City Index leading in terms of regulatory endorsement.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
When comparing online brokers City Index and Exness, understanding their commission and fee structures is crucial for making informed trading decisions. City Index offers competitive pricing for trading in CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, aligning with industry averages. Standout features include their Premium Trader account, which is available to active traders who deposit over £10,000. This account offers exclusive pricing and dedicated support. The average spread on the EUR/USD pair at City Index is 0.74 pips, keeping it competitive, although not the lowest when compared to top forex brokers. Professional traders can also benefit from rebates starting at £4 per million for monthly trading volumes exceeding £25 million. City Index holds a commendable rating of 4.5 stars for its commissions and fees and ranks #14 among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Exness presents a diverse range of account types, including two standard and three professional accounts, as well as options for social copy trading. The trading costs at Exness vary depending on the selected account. Commission-based accounts offer lower spreads, while commission-free options come with higher spreads. The Standard and Standard Cent accounts both provide market execution, with the Pro account allowing a choice between instant and market execution. Exness's Zero Spread account features a per-trade commission of $0.05, while the Raw account charges up to $7 per round turn lot. Exness is rated 4 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #35 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, City Index offers a slightly better-rated and ranked environment for traders concerning commission and fees compared to Exness. While City Index provides considerable benefits for professional and high-volume traders, Exness accommodates varying trading styles and needs with its wide selection of account types and competitive spreads on commission-based choices. Both brokers present solid options depending on the trader's specific requirements and preferences.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $10 |
| 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 | No |
| 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.
City Index and Exness both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, catering to traders interested in currency markets. However, they differ significantly in the diversity of tradeable options available. City Index boasts an impressive 13,500 tradeable symbols, including 66 forex pairs, whereas Exness offers a more modest 227 symbols, but with a greater focus on forex with 96 pairs. Neither broker provides access to direct exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international markets, meaning clients cannot purchase individual company shares directly, such as those from Apple or Vodafone.
Beyond forex, both brokers support trading cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. When it comes to copy trading, both platforms offer this feature, facilitating strategy sharing among traders. In terms of recognition, City Index shines with a five-star rating and an eighth-place ranking for its range of investments by ForexBrokers.com, while Exness receives a 3.5-star rating and is ranked fifty-fifth. This comparison highlights City Index's leadership in investment variety, though Exness has its competitive strengths in offering a wider variety of forex pairs.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 227 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 96 |
| 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 Exness both provide traders with a variety of tools and platforms to enhance their trading experience. Each offers a proprietary platform, alongside support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4). While City Index does not offer MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Exness includes this popular platform option. For those interested in practicing before diving into live trading, both brokers provide a virtual demo account. Additionally, they deliver web-based and Windows desktop trading platforms and include copy trading capabilities. When it comes to charting, City Index boasts 239 drawing tools, compared to Exness's 87, highlighting City Index's extensive customization options.
In terms of features beyond charting, City Index allows trading directly from stock charts and includes 11 fields for watch lists, exceeding Exness's 7. Despite these differences, user experiences are generally positive for both, although City Index edges out with a 4.5-star rating compared to Exness’s 4 stars for platform and tool offerings. This is further reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where City Index is positioned at 11 out of 63 brokers, while Exness stands at 26. Both brokers, however, do not support third-party trading integrations like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, offering a streamlined focus on their core platform offerings instead.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 87 |
| 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 Exness, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android users with the ability to receive stock or forex price alerts. However, City Index surpasses Exness in a few key areas that may enhance your trading experience. For instance, City Index provides watchlist symbol syncing, which allows seamless integration between your mobile app and online account. You can make changes in either location and have them automatically synced, a feature not available with Exness. Furthermore, City Index offers up to 88 technical studies for charting, significantly more than the 35 available through Exness. Additionally, City Index auto-saves chart drawings, saving you time and effort, unlike Exness, where this feature is unavailable.
Both platforms allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, catering to diverse trading preferences. Creating a watchlist with real-time quotes is possible with both City Index and Exness apps, giving users a similar basic functionality. However, City Index earns a slightly higher app rating of 4.5 stars compared to Exness's 4 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Exness is positioned at #26. These distinctions make City Index a potentially more attractive choice for traders seeking advanced charting features and enhanced app integration.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 35 |
| 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.
City Index and Exness are both online brokers that provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. For those seeking technical analysis, both platforms offer tools by Trading Central, though neither features research tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading. City Index distinguishes itself with a sentiment-based trading tool, showing the ratio of long or short positions on currency pairs, a feature also found in Exness. However, both platforms lack market research from TipRanks but include handy economic calendars to keep you updated on global events.
When it comes to research quality, City Index shines with a 4.5-star rating, positioning it at the 10th spot among 63 brokers as ranked by ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Exness earns a 3.5-star rating and ranks at number 41. Whether you’re focused on daily updates or in-depth analysis, City Index seems to offer a slightly more comprehensive package than Exness for market research enthusiasts.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, City Index and Exness both provide a substantial array of learning materials focused on forex and CFDs. Both brokers offer a wealth of more than 10 educational pieces, including articles and videos, that cater to those eager to learn trading from the ground up. If you are looking for webinars, City Index provides online educational client webinars at least once a month, giving you the opportunity to engage in live learning sessions. This is complemented by a searchable archive of these webinars for future reference. Exness also offers recorded webinars in an easily searchable format, ensuring access to past learning sessions but does not host monthly live webinars. For newcomers looking for introductory content, both platforms have over 10 beginner-focused educational videos to help familiarize you with trading basics.
However, as you advance in your trading journey, City Index stands out with more than 10 advanced educational videos for seasoned traders, a resource Exness lacks. Both brokers include an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, which is beneficial for clarifying complex trading jargon. City Index's comprehensive approach to education is reflected in its 4.5-star rating for educational offerings, positioning it as the 9th among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Exness, with a slightly lesser focus on advanced materials and live learning, trails behind with a 3.5-star rating and holds the 47th position in the education category. If your priority is a well-rounded educational experience that grows with you, City Index may have the edge over Exness.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Exness. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Exness finished with an overall rank of #43.
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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Exness
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
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Both City Index and Exness do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, however, they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index supports ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing and withdrawing funds, while Exness offers Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, excluding ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options.
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 | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Exness Review |
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| Regulation | City Index | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2008 | |
| 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 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Investments | City Index | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 227 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 96 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $10 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 107 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 87 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 35 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness Review |
| Overall | City Index | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Exness Review |
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