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 |
On commissions and fees, City Index earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #15 out of 63 brokers with pricing that generally tracks the industry average across CFDs, forex, and spread betting. Markets.com is rated 3.5/5 stars and ranks #51 out of 63; with no published average spread data, it’s harder to gauge typical trading costs there compared to City Index.
City Index tends to offer its best pricing on its own platforms and MetaTrader. As of July 2023, its EUR/USD average spread was 0.74 pips—about in line with the market, though not as low as leaders like Tickmill and FP Markets. High-volume traders may find added value: U.K.-based professionals can receive rebates starting at £4 per million for monthly volumes over £25M, rising to £7.5 per million above £300M; in Australia, rebates range from AUD $4.5 to $14.5 per million across tiers. Traders who deposit more than £10,000 may be eligible for the Premium Trader account, which includes access to exclusive pricing, events, content, and dedicated support.
Bottom line: If clear, competitive pricing and volume-based discounts matter most, City Index (4.5/5, #15/63) stands out over Markets.com (3.5/5, #51/63). With Markets.com lacking average spread figures, you may want to check live quotes or test a demo to understand real-world costs.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
City Index vs Markets.com for range of investments: City Index lists 13,500 tradeable symbols and 66 forex pairs, while Markets.com offers 2,179 symbols and 57 forex pairs. Both support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and include copy trading. Reflecting this breadth, City Index is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments at ForexBrokers.com; Markets.com holds 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #30.
Neither broker provides access to exchange-traded shares (not CFDs) on U.S. or international markets, and neither lets you buy actual cryptocurrency. If you want crypto exposure, both offer crypto CFDs instead. For the widest selection of markets, City Index has the edge; Markets.com still covers many popular assets but with a smaller lineup.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 57 |
| 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 Markets.com both check key boxes for everyday traders: each offers a free demo account for paper trading, proprietary platforms built in-house, Windows desktop software, web-based trading, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) support, and copy trading. One practical difference is chart trading—City Index lets you place trades directly from charts, while Markets.com does not.
For platform variety, Markets.com adds MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which City Index doesn’t support. That said, City Index earns a higher score for platforms and tools (4.5 stars vs. 4 stars) and ranks #11 versus Markets.com at #27 out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. In short: pick City Index if chart trading and a higher-rated toolset matter most; choose Markets.com if MT5 access alongside MT4 and a proprietary platform is your priority.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and Markets.com both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts for stocks and forex and watchlist syncing between the app and your online account. In third-party testing by ForexBrokers.com, City Index scored higher for mobile trading (4.5/5 stars, ranked 9th of 63) than Markets.com (4/5 stars, ranked 34th), signaling a stronger overall mobile experience.
For charting, City Index includes 88 technical studies in its app. By contrast, the Markets.com app does not include built-in studies, though you can access the default set if you use MT4 with Markets.com. Both apps let you draw trendlines, but only City Index auto-saves your drawings. If you want deeper on-the-go charting and convenience, City Index stands out; if you prefer basic tools or plan to use MT4, Markets.com can fit the bill.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
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 (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
City Index vs. Markets.com for beginner education: both brokers run monthly educational webinars and offer more than 10 beginner-friendly videos that explain trading basics, risk management, and key forex and CFD concepts. Each also provides 10+ advanced videos, so you can keep learning as your skills grow.
City Index holds the edge in third-party ratings: it earns 4.5/5 stars for Education and ranks #9 of 63 brokers with ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com scores 4/5 stars and ranks #34. If education is a priority, both are good options for new traders, but City Index is the stronger pick based on these results.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 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 |
|
|
City Index vs Markets.com: neither broker supports buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
City Index vs Markets.com: For deposit and withdrawal methods, City Index supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wires (no Skrill; card support not specified), while Markets.com does not support ACH/SEPA and its availability for PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires is not specified.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker 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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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) |
| Investments | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 89 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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