Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Markets.com, 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 Markets.com offer diverse trading opportunities, yet their stance on trust and regulation differs. Founded in 1983, City Index operates as a publicly traded entity and holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, firmly placing it in the highly trusted category. City Index stands out with an impressive collection of 7 Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating strong regulatory oversight. Although not a bank, its long-standing presence and thorough regulation make City Index a reliable choice for traders seeking security and trust.
Markets.com, established in 1999, is not publicly traded, yet it enjoys a strong reputation with a Trust Score of 93 from ForexBrokers.com. It holds 3 Tier-1 licenses, indicating its adherence to high regulatory standards, though not as expansive as City Index's. Both City Index and Markets.com each have 1 Tier-2 license, suggesting solid but varied regulatory support. This makes Markets.com a trusted online broker, albeit with fewer top-tier regulatory licenses compared to City Index.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, City Index shines with a 4.5-star rating and ranks 14th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. The broker’s pricing for CFDs, forex, and spread betting sits comfortably at the industry average. City Index offers competitive trading on its proprietary platforms or MetaTrader, making it a reliable choice for traders comparing costs. The broker also provides the Premium Trader account for those depositing over £10,000, offering exclusive pricing and personalized service.
City Index keeps its average spread at about 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD as of mid-2023, aligning closely with industry standards, although it falls slightly short of top forex brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets. Active traders can benefit from rebates, with U.K. professionals earning as much as £7.5 per million for trading volumes over £300M monthly. Similar incentives are available in Australia, where rebate tiers range from AUD $4.5 to AUD $14.5 per million based on trading activity.
In comparison, Markets.com has a lower 3.5-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked 50th by ForexBrokers.com. While average spread data for Markets.com is not readily available, traders seeking detailed cost comparisons might find City Index’s transparency and structured pricing more agreeable. Both brokers cater to various trading needs, but City Index's offerings may appeal more to those focused on optimizing their trading costs and accessing specialized account benefits.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing the investment options of City Index and Markets.com, it's clear that both platforms offer an extensive array of trading opportunities, but with some differences. City Index impresses with an astounding 13,500 tradeable symbols, significantly outstripping Markets.com's offering of 2,179. Both brokers provide forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, with City Index featuring 66 forex pairs compared to Markets.com's 57 pairs. In terms of access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, neither broker offers the ability to directly purchase individual stocks, such as those of Apple or Vodafone, as exchange-traded securities (non-CFDs). Instead, they offer trading through different contract types.
For cryptocurrency traders, both City Index and Markets.com allow trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Another similarity is the availability of copy trading on both platforms, catering to a potentially diverse investor base looking for new ways to engage with the market. Regarding rankings, City Index receives a top-notch five-star rating for Range of Investments and is ranked 8th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, underscoring its wide array of offerings. Markets.com, although slightly behind with a four-star rating and a 29th place ranking, still provides a competitive edge for traders seeking variety in investment options.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 57 |
| 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 Markets.com both cater to traders seeking accessible and functional trading platforms and tools. Both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, letting traders test strategies without financial risk. They also provide proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop trading options, and web-based platforms, making it convenient for users to trade according to their preferences. Traders might find City Index a touch more versatile with its offering of MetaTrader 4, but Markets.com edges ahead by also supporting MetaTrader 5. However, neither broker offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, which might limit some traders looking for extensive social trading functionalities.
City Index provides a more comprehensive suite for charting, boasting 239 drawing tools compared to Markets.com's 4, and it allows traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, unlike Markets.com. When comparing watch list functionalities, City Index allows for 11 fields versus Markets.com's 6. In terms of user feedback and rankings, City Index outshines with a trading platforms and tools rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, compared to Markets.com's 4 stars, and ranks 11th among 63 brokers, while Markets.com stands at 27th. These differences underscore City Index’s slight edge in platform versatility and user satisfaction in this domain.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of City Index and Markets.com, both offerings cater to iPhone and Android users, ensuring broad device compatibility. Essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the syncing of watchlists between mobile apps and online accounts are present in both platforms. However, City Index sets itself apart with a more extensive charting experience, boasting 88 technical studies and offering users the ability to switch between multiple time frames such as daily, weekly, or intraday. Furthermore, City Index's app automatically saves chart drawings and supports trendline drawing, while Markets.com provides no options to auto-save drawings.
In terms of customization, both apps allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes to keep users up-to-date. City Index’s comprehensive features have earned it a higher rating of 4.5 stars for mobile trading apps, compared to Markets.com's 4 stars. Moreover, in the rankings by ForexBrokers.com, City Index stands at #9 out of 63 brokers, showcasing its competitive edge, while Markets.com holds the #33 spot. For traders seeking a highly functional and dynamic mobile trading experience, City Index demonstrates a slightly more advanced offering.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
City Index and Markets.com both provide a comprehensive suite of tools for those interested in market research. They each offer daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, as well as sentiment-based trading tools that reflect the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments. Additionally, both brokers feature an economic calendar to keep clients informed of global news events, ensuring traders stay well-prepared for market changes and opportunities.
However, there are notable differences between the two. City Index provides access to research tools from Trading Central, such as Technical Analytics, which enhances the depth of market analysis available to its users. Markets.com, on the other hand, does not offer these specific tools. Consequently, City Index receives a higher research rating at 4.5 out of 5 stars compared to Markets.com's 4-star rating. In the broader context, City Index ranks as the 10th out of 63 brokers for research, whereas Markets.com holds the 17th spot, highlighting City Index's superior research offerings.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| 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, City Index offers a variety of learning tools aimed at beginners. They provide more than ten educational pieces on forex and CFDs, catering to those new to these markets. City Index also hosts educational webinars monthly and maintains a searchable archive of these sessions for those who need to revisit them later. Additionally, they offer a comprehensive set of beginner and advanced educational videos, making it easier for newcomers and seasoned traders alike to enhance their knowledge. They also feature an extensive investor dictionary, covering over 50 investing terms to help beginners grasp trading concepts more easily. This array of resources has earned City Index a 4.5-star rating in Education and a commendable rank of #9 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Markets.com provides a slightly less extensive educational offering. While they match City Index in hosting monthly educational webinars and have a solid lineup of beginner and advanced educational videos, they fall short by not offering a searchable archive of previous webinars or an investor dictionary. Furthermore, they offer fewer than ten educational pieces related to forex and CFDs, which may limit learning opportunities for beginners. Consequently, Markets.com earns a solid but slightly lower education rating of 4 stars and is ranked #34 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Markets.com. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both City Index and Markets.com do not offer the option to buy actual cryptocurrency for delivery, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers City Index and Markets.com, City Index provides more flexible deposit and withdrawal options with support for ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas Markets.com supports Visa, Mastercard, bank wires, and Skrill but lacks 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | City Index Review |
| Overall | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill