Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Spreadex, 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, has cemented its reputation as a highly trusted online broker, largely due to its impressive collection of 7 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license. These licenses indicate a high level of regulatory safety and credibility. As a publicly traded company, City Index achieves a stunning Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, making it a top choice for traders seeking assurance and reliability.
Conversely, Spreadex, founded in 1999, operates privately and holds 1 Tier-1 license without any Tier-2 licenses, which suggests a moderate level of regulatory trust. With a Trust Score of 71, it falls within the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. Both City Index and Spreadex are not banks, offering specialized financial services to their clientele. While Spreadex provides a competitive option, particularly for those comfortable with a moderate risk level, City Index stands out for those prioritizing maximum trust and security in their online trading experiences.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1999 |
| 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 | 0 |
City Index and Spreadex offer competitive commissions and fees, but City Index comes out slightly cheaper on average for forex. City Index’s typical EUR/USD spread was 0.74 pips (July 2023), and you’ll usually get the best pricing on its proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. Spreadex averaged 0.81 pips for EUR/USD in January 2024, though it did hit its 0.6-pip minimum 60% of the time during that month. In short, City Index tends to have the lower average cost, while Spreadex frequently reaches a tighter minimum spread.
City Index adds value for active traders with its Premium Trader account (available to those depositing more than £10,000), offering access to exclusive pricing, events, content, and dedicated support. It also provides volume-based rebates: in the U.K., £4 per million for more than £25M traded per month up to £7.5 per million above £300M; in Australia, AUD $4.5 to $14.5 per million depending on tier. Spreadex’s rebate details were not provided.
Ratings and rankings: City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15 out of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees. Spreadex earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #28 out of 63. If you prioritize lower average spreads and potential rebates, City Index is the stronger pick, while Spreadex remains a solid alternative—especially if you often see its 0.6-pip minimum.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 0.81 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
City Index and Spreadex both support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and each offers cryptocurrency via CFDs rather than actual coins. City Index lists about 13,500 tradeable instruments with 66 forex pairs, while Spreadex offers roughly 10,000 instruments and 52 forex pairs. Neither broker lets you buy real exchange-traded shares in the U.S. or on international markets; stock exposure is through derivatives instead.
For extra tools, City Index includes copy trading, whereas Spreadex does not. Both earn 5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments, but City Index ranks higher in this category at #8 out of 63 brokers, compared with Spreadex at #14. If you want a larger menu of markets and forex pairs plus copy trading, City Index has the edge; if you’re focused on CFD access with crypto CFDs and a wide, though slightly smaller, selection, Spreadex is competitive.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 52 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| 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). | 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 Spreadex both provide free demo accounts and their own proprietary platforms, making it easy to test-drive features before funding an account. Each broker offers a web-based platform and the ability to place orders directly from charts. City Index also has a Windows desktop platform, while Spreadex does not. If you want copy trading, City Index has it; Spreadex does not.
For third‑party platforms, City Index supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), whereas Spreadex does not; neither broker supports MT5. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, City Index scores 4.5/5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers, while Spreadex earns 4/5 stars and ranks #47. In short, City Index suits traders who want desktop software, MT4, and copy trading, while Spreadex fits those who prefer a straightforward web platform with in‑house tools.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 58 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and Spreadex both cover the basics for mobile trading, offering iPhone and Android apps along with price alerts. The key differences show up in charting and convenience features. City Index offers 88 technical studies in its mobile charts, lets you draw trendlines, and automatically saves your drawings for later. Spreadex also supports drawing trendlines, but it doesn’t list a count for technical studies and it won’t auto-save chart drawings. Another practical edge for City Index is watchlist syncing, which keeps your symbols aligned between the mobile app and your online account; Spreadex does not sync watchlists.
Independent ratings reinforce this gap: City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Spreadex scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #47. If you value deeper chart tools and a seamless, synced experience across devices, City Index is the stronger pick. If you just need a straightforward app with alerts and basic chart drawing, Spreadex can do the job, but with fewer mobile trading app features for active stock and forex traders.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
City Index and Spreadex both cover the essentials for market research: daily market commentary, real-time forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, sentiment tools that show long and short positioning, and an economic calendar. Neither broker integrates TipRanks or Acuity Trading. The standout difference is in third-party tools—City Index includes Trading Central, while Spreadex offers Autochartist.
For traders who want Trading Central’s analysis alongside in-house research, City Index is the stronger pick, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranking 10th out of 63 brokers for research at ForexBrokers.com. Spreadex is appealing if you prefer Autochartist’s pattern recognition while still getting daily commentary and premium news; it holds 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 32nd out of 63. In short, choose City Index for Trading Central and a higher-rated research experience, or Spreadex if Autochartist is your priority.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| 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 Spreadex for beginner education: both brokers provide at least 10 videos tailored to new traders, so you can start with clear, simple lessons. City Index goes a step further with ongoing online educational webinars held monthly, which can help beginners ask questions and learn in real time. Spreadex does not run monthly webinars, so its learning path is more self-paced.
If you plan to grow beyond the basics, City Index also offers at least 10 advanced videos, while Spreadex does not meet that mark. This difference shows up in independent ratings: City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks 9th out of 63 brokers, whereas Spreadex is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 45th. For beginners who want live sessions and a clearer path from beginner to advanced topics, City Index is the stronger choice; if you just need a basic video library to get started, Spreadex can still do the job.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Spreadex. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Spreadex finished with an overall rank of #39.
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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Spreadex
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
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In this comparison of online brokers, City Index and Spreadex do not offer buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide access to cryptocurrency CFD trading.
City Index vs Spreadex: For deposits and withdrawals, City Index supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers and does not support Skrill, while Spreadex supports bank wire transfers and does not support ACH/SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill; Visa/Mastercard availability is not disclosed for either.
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 | Spreadex | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Spreadex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Spreadex | |
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| Regulation | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1999 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 52 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| 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). | 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 0.81 | |
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 58 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Spreadex Review |
| Overall | City Index | Spreadex | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Spreadex Review |
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