Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs IUX, 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, is a publicly traded online broker boasting a perfect Trust Score of 99 as per ForexBrokers.com. With 7 Tier-1 licenses, City Index is firmly positioned as a highly trusted choice for traders. Although not a bank, its high regulatory standing and long history in the industry provide clients with added confidence and security. Additionally, City Index holds 1 Tier-2 license, reinforcing its trusted status further.
On the other hand, IUX, founded in 2016, is a non-publicly traded broker with a Trust Score of 78, indicating an average risk according to ForexBrokers.com. IUX holds 1 Tier-1 license and 1 Tier-2 license, showing some level of regulatory compliance, but does not match the higher trust levels associated with City Index. As a newer, non-bank broker, IUX may appeal to some traders, but its regulatory profile suggests a need for more caution than with City Index.
| Feature |
City Index
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, City Index edges out IUX overall. City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, while IUX scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #49 of 63. City Index’s pricing sits around the industry average with discounts for high-volume traders, whereas IUX offers multiple account types that can be cost-effective if you pick the right mix of spreads, commissions, and minimum deposits.
City Index pricing for CFDs, forex, and spread betting is generally in line with peers, with the best rates available on its own platforms or MetaTrader. The EUR/USD averaged 0.74 pips as of July 2023. Active traders can qualify for the Premium Trader account by depositing more than £10,000, unlocking exclusive pricing and dedicated support. Volume-based rebates add to the value: in the U.K., professional traders can earn £4 per million from £25M/month in volume, rising to £7.5 per million above £300M; in Australia, rebates range from AUD $4.5 to $14.5 per million.
IUX bases pricing on account type. Standard and Standard+ need just $10 to start; Standard+ supports deposit bonuses but typically shows wider spreads, while the Standard account opts for lower spreads without promotions. For active traders, the Pro and Raw accounts require $500. Pro is spread-only with tighter pricing than Standard (IUX lists an average 0.7 pips on EUR/USD), and Raw advertises the lowest spreads but charges $6 per 100k traded; when you convert that commission to a pip equivalent, Raw’s effective cost is around 0.6 pips, while Standard averages about 0.9 pips. Overall, IUX can be competitive, especially on Pro and Raw, but it generally doesn’t beat the very lowest-cost leaders.
| Feature |
City Index
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | 10 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
City Index vs IUX: For sheer variety, City Index offers far more to trade, with about 13,500 tradable instruments and 66 currency pairs, compared with IUX’s 152 instruments and 34 pairs. Both support forex trading, either as CFDs or spot, and both let you speculate on cryptocurrencies via CFDs (neither lets you buy actual crypto).
When it comes to real share dealing (not CFDs), City Index doesn’t offer U.S. or international stocks, while IUX lets you buy international exchange-listed shares but not U.S. stocks. City Index also includes copy trading, which IUX does not. Reflecting this breadth, City Index earns 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 for Range of Investments, whereas IUX is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #61. If you want the widest market selection and copy trading, City Index is the stronger pick; if you need access to non-U.S. international shares, IUX has that option.
| Feature |
City Index
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 152 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 34 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
City Index and IUX both provide free demo (paper) accounts, proprietary in-house platforms, Windows desktop apps, and web-based trading, and each lets you place trades straight from charts. The key differences are in third-party platforms and social features: City Index supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and offers copy trading, while IUX supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and does not offer copy trading. If you need MT4 or copy trading, City Index is the better fit; if you prefer MT5, IUX stands out. The number of technical indicators and watch list columns for either broker wasn’t disclosed.
For trading platforms and tools, ForexBrokers.com rates City Index 4.5/5 (ranked #11 of 63) and IUX 3.5/5 (ranked #60 of 63), indicating a stronger overall platform experience at City Index in independent testing.
| Feature |
City Index
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and IUX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, but their scores differ. In testing by ForexBrokers.com, City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while IUX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #61. Both are viable for trading stocks or forex on the go, yet the overall polish and reliability favor City Index.
Feature-wise, City Index supports stock and forex price alerts and watchlist syncing between mobile and web, while IUX does not provide either. For charting, IUX includes more technical studies (106 vs. 88), but City Index lets you draw trendlines on charts, which IUX lacks; both apps auto-save chart drawings. If you want real-time alerts, synced watchlists, and drawing tools, City Index is the better fit. If a larger library of indicators matters most and you can go without alerts and syncing, IUX could work.
| Feature |
City Index
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 106 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing market research, City Index clearly offers more than IUX. City Index provides daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, Trading Central tools for technical analysis, a sentiment tool showing the ratio of long vs. short positions, and an economic calendar. IUX includes an economic calendar but does not provide daily commentary, top-tier news, Trading Central, or a sentiment tool. Neither broker offers Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools.
Ratings reflect this gap: City Index scores 4.5/5 stars for Research and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IUX earns 3/5 stars and ranks #60. For traders who want in-platform insights and third‑party research, City Index is the stronger pick; IUX suits those who only need a basic calendar.
| Feature |
City Index
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing City Index and IUX for beginner education, both provide forex and CFD learning with at least ten educational pieces, but the experience differs. City Index runs online client webinars at least once a month and offers 10+ beginner videos plus 10+ advanced videos, so you can grow from basics to more complex topics. IUX delivers 10+ beginner videos but does not host monthly educational webinars and lacks a large set of advanced videos, which can make it harder to progress after the fundamentals.
Independent reviews reflect this gap: City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. IUX holds 3 stars and ranks #60. For most new traders who want an easy learning path with live sessions and room to advance, City Index is the stronger choice; IUX can help you get started, but it offers less depth and fewer ways to keep learning.
| Feature |
City Index
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 IUX. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while IUX finished with an overall rank of #55.
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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IUX
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
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City Index vs IUX: neither broker supports buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
City Index vs IUX: For deposits and withdrawals, City Index supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers (not Skrill), while IUX supports Skrill and bank wire transfers (not ACH/SEPA or PayPal); Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | IUX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | IUX | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 152 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 34 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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). |
| Cost | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.6 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | 10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 106 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | City Index Review | IUX Review |
| Overall | City Index | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | IUX Review |
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