Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs FXPrimus, 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.
When comparing City Index and FXPrimus, it's clear that City Index, established in 1983, offers a higher level of trust and security in online trading. It is a publicly traded entity with an exceptional Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating it as highly trusted. City Index holds seven Tier-1 licenses, which are the pinnacle of regulatory trust, along with one Tier-2 license, further reinforcing its strong regulatory standing. Despite not being a bank, City Index's financial credibility is strengthened by its public listing and extensive regulation.
On the other hand, FXPrimus, founded in 2009, does not share the same public trading status and holds only a single Tier-1 license. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 71, it is categorized as an average risk broker. Notably, FXPrimus lacks both Tier-2 licenses and the backing of a public listing, which are factors potential investors may consider. While both brokers are non-banking institutions, the regulatory contrasts between the two provide insights into their varying levels of investor security and confidence.
| Feature |
City Index
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2009 |
| 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 | 1 |
City Index and FXPrimus are both popular online brokers, but they differ significantly when it comes to commissions and fees. City Index offers a competitive pricing structure for trading CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, with costs closely aligned to the industry average. They also offer a Premium Trader account for active traders who deposit more than £10,000, which provides exclusive pricing and services. With an average spread of 0.74 pips for EUR/USD as of July 2023, City Index remains on par with the industry average, but lags behind the best forex brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets. Furthermore, City Index rewards UK and Australian professional traders with active trader rebates and discounts.
On the other hand, FXPrimus does not provide readily available average spread data, making it tougher to gauge their pricing competitiveness. Despite this, FXPrimus maintains a solid presence in the market.
In terms of ratings, City Index scores highly with a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. FXPrimus, while still respected with a 4-star rating, ranks lower at #42. Potential traders might prefer City Index for its transparent pricing and higher ranking, offering confidence in value and service for their trading needs.
| Feature |
City Index
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 |
| 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 FXPrimus both facilitate traders who are interested in forex, offering opportunities to engage in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. When it comes to the variety of tradeable symbols, City Index boasts a vast array with 13,500 options, significantly outpacing FXPrimus which offers 140 symbols. In terms of forex pairs, City Index again provides a broader selection with 66 pairs compared to the 42 pairs available through FXPrimus. Neither broker allows clients to purchase exchange traded securities directly from U.S. or international exchanges, focusing instead on other investment avenues.
Both City Index and FXPrimus provide platforms for copy trading, which can be appealing for traders looking to mirror the strategies of successful investors. For those interested in cryptocurrencies, both brokers offer only derivatives, not the actual cryptocurrencies. City Index's extensive investment range has earned it a high rating of 5 stars, ranking it 8th among 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, FXPrimus has a more modest rating at 3.5 stars, ranking 59th in the same category. These differences highlight City Index’s broader investment offerings and stronger market position relative to FXPrimus.
| Feature |
City Index
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 140 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 42 |
| 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 FXPrimus for trading platforms and tools, both brokers tick numerous boxes for traders. They each provide simulated trading through virtual demo accounts, offer proprietary platforms, and support popular MetaTrader 4 as well as web-based and Windows desktop platforms. Additionally, both City Index and FXPrimus enable traders to engage in copy trading and allow direct trades from stock charts, making them suitable for a variety of trading strategies.
Despite these similarities, there are distinct differences. FXPrimus offers MetaTrader 5, which may interest those seeking the latest platform updates, whereas City Index remains with MT4. In terms of charting, City Index provides a wider selection with 239 drawing tools compared to FXPrimus's 15. For those focused on organizing market watch lists, City Index again takes the lead by offering 11 columns, compared to seven from FXPrimus. This greater functionality in tools and features reflects in their ratings; City Index achieves 4.5 stars and ranks 11th among 63 brokers, whereas FXPrimus holds 4 stars and ranks 49th.
| Feature |
City Index
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of City Index and FXPrimus, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android devices, enabling seamless trading on the go. Both platforms also provide the ability to set stock or forex price alerts, with features like drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts readily available. However, City Index has a distinct advantage by offering syncing watchlists across devices, a feature not provided by FXPrimus. Furthermore, City Index presents users with 88 technical studies for its charting capabilities compared to FXPrimus's 30, giving traders potentially deeper analytical insights.
In terms of user ratings and rankings, City Index has an edge with a 4.5-star rating, while FXPrimus holds a slightly lower 4-star rating. This difference is echoed in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where City Index is positioned at a commendable 9th out of 63, compared to FXPrimus's placement at 48th. Overall, while both platforms cover the essentials for mobile trading, City Index provides more advanced charting tools and synchronization features, offering a more integrated and highly-rated user experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 it comes to market research offerings, City Index stands out compared to FXPrimus. Both platforms provide daily market commentaries and have economic calendars that highlight crucial global news events. However, City Index gains a significant edge by providing forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, which FXPrimus does not offer. Additionally, City Index enhances traders' experience with tools like Trading Central's Technical Analytics and a sentiment-based trading tool that tracks long and short positions across currency pairs. These features give City Index a comprehensive approach to market analysis.
In contrast, FXPrimus lacks some of the advanced research functionalities present in City Index, such as news from high-profile outlets and sophisticated sentiment tools. This distinction in capability is reflected in their ratings; City Index scores a high 4.5 stars for research, while FXPrimus holds 3 stars. Furthermore, City Index's prowess in research is recognized with a notable 10th place ranking out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, significantly ahead of FXPrimus, which ranks 58th. In summary, for traders prioritizing deep and broad market insights, City Index offers more comprehensive tools and resources as compared to FXPrimus.
| Feature |
City Index
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| 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.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, City Index and FXPrimus both provide valuable materials to help new traders understand forex and CFDs. Each broker offers a variety of articles, videos, and archived webinars, ensuring that users have access to at least ten educational pieces on these trading subjects. Both platforms also host monthly online webinars, catering to client learning needs and enhancing their educational offerings with searchable archives of past webinars. However, City Index stands out for its extensive collection of beginner and advanced educational videos tailored specifically for different levels of trading expertise, a feature FXPrimus does not match. Additionally, City Index offers an investor dictionary with over 50 terms explained, a unique feature that FXPrimus lacks.
In terms of overall quality of educational resources, City Index has a significant edge. It is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 for Education, ranking #9 among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, FXPrimus holds a 3-star rating and is ranked #51 in the same category. For beginners eager to gain a comprehensive understanding of trading, City Index seems to provide a more thorough and detailed educational experience compared to FXPrimus.
| Feature |
City Index
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 FXPrimus. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while FXPrimus finished with an overall rank of #53.
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
|
FXPrimus
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both City Index and FXPrimus provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the opportunity to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
City Index supports ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, whereas FXPrimus offers Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, but not ACH, SEPA, or 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2009 | |
| 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 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 140 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 42 | |
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 | |
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXPrimus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill