Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs RoboForex, 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 prominent online broker that operates with a high level of trust. With a Trust Score of 99 out of 99 as rated by ForexBrokers.com, City Index is considered highly trusted in the industry. It is publicly traded and holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its reputable standing. Although not a bank, City Index also holds 1 Tier-2 license, further emphasizing its reliability and assurance to its clients.
In contrast, RoboForex, which has been in operation since 2009, presents an average risk profile with a Trust Score of 73. RoboForex is not publicly traded and possesses 1 Tier-1 license, indicating a moderate level of trust. While it does not hold any Tier-2 licenses, RoboForex continues to serve its clients without banking capabilities, distinguishing its approach from its counterpart, City Index.
| Feature |
City Index
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of City Index and RoboForex, it's clear that City Index offers more competitive pricing. City Index, which holds a 4.5-star rating, ranks 14th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This broker provides CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products at industry-average prices. Traders using City Index's own platforms or MetaTrader can access these rates, with the opportunity to upgrade to a Premium Trader account for exclusive pricing and benefits. City Index's average spread for the EUR/USD is 0.74 pips, aligning with industry averages but trailing behind some top-tier brokers.
City Index also offers active trader rebates and discounts, with U.K. professional traders benefiting from rebates starting at £4 per million for monthly trading volumes over £25 million. These rebates can go up to £7.5 per million for higher volumes. In contrast, RoboForex, which is rated 3.5 stars and ranks 55th, has higher costs with average spreads of 1.3 pips for EUR/USD on their Procent and Pro accounts.
Overall, for traders prioritizing low commissions and fees, City Index provides a more appealing option compared to RoboForex, offering better rates, higher ratings, and a superior ranking among brokerage firms.
| Feature |
City Index
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 RoboForex both offer forex trading through CFDs, providing a flexible approach for investors interested in currency markets. City Index stands out with an impressive 13,500 tradeable symbols and 66 forex pairs, offering a broad spectrum for traders seeking variety. By comparison, RoboForex offers 8,400 tradeable symbols with access to 28 forex pairs, presenting a solid selection but with slightly fewer options in the forex domain. Both brokers support cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither facilitates the purchase of exchange-traded securities or actual cryptocurrencies. Therefore, investors interested in trading traditional stocks or directly owning cryptocurrencies would need to look elsewhere.
Both City Index and RoboForex provide the option of copy trading, which can be appealing for novices or those short on time who wish to mirror successful strategies. Though RoboForex is highly rated with 4.5 out of 5 stars in the Range of Investments category, City Index edges ahead with a perfect 5-star rating. Additionally, City Index ranks 8th among 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com for range of investment offerings, while RoboForex holds the 20th position. These rankings reflect City Index's more extensive range of available trading instruments, giving it an edge for those looking for a broader array of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
City Index
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 8400 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 28 |
| 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 RoboForex, both brokers offer a variety of trading platforms and tools suited for traders of all levels. City Index offers a proprietary platform developed in-house, alongside the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and a Windows-based desktop application. In contrast, RoboForex supports MT4 as well as the more advanced MetaTrader 5 (MT5), but does not provide a proprietary platform. Both brokers offer web-based trading platforms and facilitate copy trading to allow users to mimic successful trading strategies from experienced traders.
Regarding additional features, City Index surpasses RoboForex in terms of the number of drawing tools available for charting, offering 239 compared to RoboForex's 15. This extensive suite can cater to traders seeking detailed technical analysis. Both brokers provide the ability to execute trades directly from stock charts. In terms of watch list customization, City Index provides more versatility with 11 columns against RoboForex's 7. These differences are reflected in their ratings and rankings for trading platforms and tools; City Index receives a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 11th among 63 brokers, while RoboForex has a 4-star rating and is positioned 43rd.
| Feature |
City Index
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 RoboForex, both brokers offer apps that are compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Traders using either app can receive stock and forex price alerts, create watchlists with real-time quotes, and draw trendlines on charts. Each app also allows users to view stocks or forex charts across multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday. Importantly, the apps from both brokers support auto-saving of chart drawings, ensuring minimal loss of data during trading.
City Index, however, stands out in a few key areas. It provides 88 technical studies for its mobile charting features, compared to 30 offered by RoboForex. Additionally, City Index supports watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless updates between the mobile app and the client's online account, a feature RoboForex lacks. Overall, City Index has a higher user rating of 4.5 stars and holds the #9 spot out of 63 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com mobile trading apps category, while RoboForex is rated 4 stars and ranks at #43. These differences highlight City Index as a more feature-rich and user-favored choice for mobile trading.
| Feature |
City Index
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Both City Index and RoboForex provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from prestigious sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. They each include familiar research tools like Trading Central for technical analysis, ensuring traders have access to quality insights. However, City Index sets itself apart by offering sentiment-based trading tools that show a comprehensive ratio of long and short positions across various instruments, a feature you won't find with RoboForex. On the other hand, RoboForex uniquely includes research tools from Acuity Trading, adding an extra layer of insight for traders seeking different perspectives.
City Index stands out with a high research rating of 4.5 stars, ranking it 10th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. It provides traders with a broad view of global market events through an economic calendar. This compares to RoboForex's 3.5-star rating, placing it at 37th in the same research category. While both brokers ensure traders stay informed with well-rounded economic calendars, City Index's higher rating and innovative sentiment tools give it a competitive edge for those prioritizing comprehensive market research.
| Feature |
City Index
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings of City Index and RoboForex, City Index clearly stands out with a comprehensive suite of resources tailored for beginner traders. City Index provides over 10 educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, including articles and videos. Beginners can benefit from their monthly educational webinars and a searchable archive of past sessions. Additionally, City Index offers over 10 beginner-focused educational videos, making it easier for newcomers to gain essential trading insights. Their investment dictionary with more than 50 terms further enriches the learning experience. These comprehensive resources help City Index achieve a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in education.
In contrast, RoboForex falls short in delivering a similar breadth of educational content. With fewer than 10 educational pieces on forex and CFDs and no regular webinars, the learning support for beginners is limited. RoboForex does not offer beginner-focused videos or an expansive investor dictionary, which could be critical for new traders seeking foundational knowledge. Consequently, RoboForex receives a lower education rating of 3.5 stars. These differences underscore City Index's superior ranking at #9, significantly ahead of RoboForex's position at #56 in the education category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
City Index
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 RoboForex. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while RoboForex finished with an overall rank of #46.
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
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both City Index and RoboForex provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither platform offers the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
City Index and RoboForex both provide a range of funding options including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for account deposits and withdrawals, with the additional advantage of RoboForex offering Skrill as an option, which 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | City Index | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | RoboForex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| 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 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 8400 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 28 | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex Review |
| Overall | City Index | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | RoboForex Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill