Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Libertex, 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, is the more established and highly trusted choice in this comparison. It is publicly traded, is not a bank, and holds 7 Tier-1 licenses plus 1 Tier-2 license, giving it a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, which places it in the highly trusted range. For traders comparing online brokers on regulation and safety, these details point to a strong level of oversight.
Libertex was founded in 1997 and is not publicly traded, though it is also not a bank. It holds 1 Tier-1 license and 1 Tier-2 license, with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 79 out of 99, which falls into the average risk category. In a City Index vs Libertex review focused on regulation, City Index clearly has the stronger profile.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1997 |
| 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 | 2 |
City Index offers commissions and fees that are generally in line with the industry average for CFDs, forex, and spread betting. On its own platforms or MetaTrader, pricing is usually better, with EUR/USD spreads averaging 0.74 pips as of July 2023. Active traders may also qualify for the Premium Trader account if they deposit more than £10,000, while professional U.K. and Australia-based traders can access rebate programs that lower costs at higher monthly volumes. City Index is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers in this category.
Libertex is more competitive on headline pricing, especially for forex, with a recent EUR/USD average spread of 0.3 pips, though this was based on a single trading day figure rather than a full monthly average. Its pricing uses a spread-plus-commission setup, at 5 euros per side on the proprietary platform and 6 euros per side on MT4 and MT5, making the broker’s own platform the cheaper choice for active forex traders. Libertex also has a low $10 minimum deposit, a 10 euro inactivity fee that only starts after six months of no activity, and free international wire transfers. It is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #21 out of 36 brokers.
Overall, City Index is the better-rated choice for commissions and fees, while Libertex may appeal to traders looking for tighter headline forex spreads and a low entry deposit. Both brokers offer ways to reduce trading costs, but City Index stands out for its stronger category ranking and higher star rating, while Libertex is still a solid pick for cost-conscious traders who prefer simple account options.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $10 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 0.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, City Index offers more choice than Libertex. City Index lists 13,500 tradeable symbols, including 66 forex pairs, while Libertex offers 1,573 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as a CFD or spot contract, and both support copy trading. They also each offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither allows you to buy actual cryptocurrencies, shares on U.S. exchanges, or shares on international exchanges.
Overall, City Index is the broader pick for traders who want a wider selection of markets. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for range of investments and ranks #8 out of 36 brokers in this category, compared with Libertex’s 4-star rating and #25 ranking. If you want more trading options in one place, City Index has the edge.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1573 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 46 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 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). | 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 Libertex both give traders a choice of paper trading, web and Windows desktop platforms, copy trading, and MetaTrader 4, so each broker covers the basics well for getting started and managing trades. Both also let you trade directly from a chart, which can make it easier to act on price moves without leaving the screen. One key difference is that City Index has its own in-house platform, while Libertex does not, and Libertex adds MetaTrader 5, which City Index does not offer.
In terms of overall trading platform quality, City Index has the edge with a 4.5-star rating and a #11 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with Libertex at 4 stars and #26. That suggests City Index may be the stronger pick for traders who want a more polished platform experience, while Libertex still offers a solid mix of tools and the added benefit of MT5 support.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 43 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and Libertex both make mobile trading easy to access, with iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, and watchlist syncing so changes carry over between the app and the online account. Both brokers are rated well for mobile use, but City Index comes out ahead overall with a 4.5-star mobile app rating and a ForexBrokers.com ranking of #9 out of 36 brokers, compared with Libertex’s 4-star rating and #27 ranking.
The bigger difference is in charting tools. City Index offers 88 technical studies in its mobile app, along with trendline drawing and auto-saving for chart markings, making it a stronger choice for traders who rely on mobile chart analysis. Libertex does not offer technical studies, trendline drawing, or auto-saving drawings in its app, so it is better suited to users who want a simpler mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 0 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
City Index and Libertex both give traders access to useful market research tools, including forex news from top names such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus an economic calendar, Trading Central tools, and a sentiment feature that shows long and short positioning across instruments. Neither broker offers Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading research tools. Where City Index stands out is its daily market commentary, which Libertex does not provide.
Overall, City Index has the stronger research offering, with a 4.5-star rating and a #10 ranking out of 36 brokers for research by ForexBrokers.com. Libertex is still a solid choice, but it trails slightly behind with a 4-star rating and a #25 ranking. For traders who want more regular market insight and a wider depth of commentary, City Index has the edge.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to beginner-friendly learning tools, City Index is the stronger choice over Libertex. City Index offers forex and CFD education with at least 10 related learning pieces, along with monthly online webinars, 10+ beginner videos, and 10+ advanced videos for more experienced traders. It also earns a 4.5-star Education rating and ranks 9th out of 36 brokers for education, which suggests a well-rounded learning experience for new traders who want to build their knowledge step by step.
Libertex, by comparison, has fewer educational resources for beginners. It does not appear to offer monthly educational webinars, and it does not provide at least 10 beginner or advanced trading videos. While Libertex still receives a solid 4-star Education rating, its lower rank of 33rd out of 36 brokers points to a more limited learning setup than City Index. For traders who want more support and clearer educational guidance, City Index is the better fit.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Libertex. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Libertex finished with an overall rank of #32.
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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Libertex
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 |
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When comparing City Index vs Libertex, neither online broker offers the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but both do provide cryptocurrency CFDs, allowing traders to speculate on crypto price movements without owning the underlying asset.
City Index and Libertex both support ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wires for depositing and withdrawing funds, but Libertex has an edge for e-wallet users because it also offers Skrill, while City Index does not.
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 | Libertex | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Libertex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Libertex | |
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| Regulation | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1997 | |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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 | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1573 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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). | 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 | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 0.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.3 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 43 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 0 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Libertex Review |
| Overall | City Index | Libertex | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Libertex Review |
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