Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Swissquote, 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 Swissquote stand out as two reputable online brokers in the financial world. Both have a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating they are highly trusted establishments. Founded in 1983, City Index offers a solid track record and is publicly traded, although it is not a bank. In terms of regulatory credentials, City Index holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, which are highly regarded, further enhancing its credibility. Additionally, it holds one Tier-2 license, which is also trusted.
On the other hand, Swissquote, established in 1996, adds the benefit of being both a publicly traded company and a bank, potentially offering more financial stability to its clients. With five Tier-1 licenses, Swissquote also maintains a strong regulatory standing, supported by two Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers enjoy a high level of trust with their clients, but if you're seeking a company with more Tier-1 regulatory oversight, City Index might have the edge.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | Yes |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, City Index and Swissquote offer distinct profiles for online trading, each catering to different preferences and trading strategies. City Index, rated at 4.5 stars and ranked #14 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, provides a pricing structure that aligns with the industry average. Trading CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products with City Index can be cost-effective, especially when using their proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. The broker also offers a Premium Trader account for those depositing over £10,000, granting access to exclusive pricing and events. Additionally, active trader rebates in the UK reward professional traders with rebates starting at £4 per million, scaling up with increased trading volumes.
In contrast, Swissquote, with a 3.5-star rating and a rank of #53, offers the prestige of trading with a Swiss banking institution but at a slightly higher cost. The U.K. entity, Swissquote Ltd, provides the most competitive pricing of its branches with an Elite account option for traders depositing at least $10,000, offering lower spreads and a $5 charge per round-turn trade. While its Standard account features wider spreads starting at 1.3 pips for the EUR/USD, the Prime account offers a minimum spread of 0.6 pips, which is still not an average price point. Swissquote's other entities in Luxembourg and Switzerland present varying account types and cost structures, catering to distinct deposit requirements and trading needs.
Ultimately, City Index stands out for traders seeking competitive costs and rebates, especially within the UK and Australian markets. In contrast, Swissquote appeals to those who value the security and reputation of a Swiss bank but are willing to accept higher trading costs for this association. This distinction in offerings underscores the importance of aligning a broker's fee structure with individual trading priorities and objectives.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $1000 |
| 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 | 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.
When comparing City Index and Swissquote for their range of available investments, both platforms stand out for different strengths. City Index boasts an impressive lineup of 13,500 tradeable symbols, which includes a wide selection of CFDs. However, it does not offer the option to purchase actual exchange-traded securities such as Apple shares on U.S. exchanges or Vodafone shares on international exchanges. Instead, City Index focuses on providing 66 tradeable forex pairs and offers both forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, as well as cryptocurrency derivatives. For traders interested in social trading, City Index also supports copy trading.
Swissquote, while offering a smaller selection of 472 tradeable symbols, excels in providing access to actual exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to invest directly in companies like Apple and Vodafone. With 80 tradeable forex pairs, Swissquote also supports forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts. Additionally, it offers the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies, alongside cryptocurrency derivatives. Both platforms support copy trading, and their diverse offerings have earned them a 5-star rating in the range of investments category. However, Swissquote is ranked higher, securing the second spot against 63 brokers, while City Index is ranked eighth.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 472 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 80 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | Yes |
| 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 the trading platforms and tools of City Index and Swissquote, both brokers offer a comprehensive suite of features tailored to enhance traders' experiences. City Index and Swissquote provide simulated trading options via free virtual demo accounts, which are excellent for beginners or anyone looking to refine their skills without financial risk. Each broker also boasts a proprietary platform alongside popular choices like MetaTrader 4, and while Swissquote adds MetaTrader 5 to its offerings, City Index does not. For desktop users, both companies support a Windows-based platform, while their web-based platforms ensure accessibility across devices. Additionally, copy trading is possible on both, though neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
Charting tools differ between the brokers, with City Index offering a broad selection of 239 drawing tools compared to Swissquote's 75. Both allow trading directly from stock charts, which facilitates swift decision-making. In terms of watchlists, each provides 11 configurable columns to suit various trading strategies. With both platforms rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, City Index slightly edges out Swissquote, ranking 11th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, just one spot ahead of Swissquote. Whether you prioritize advanced charting capabilities or support for multiple trading platforms, both providers stand out as reliable choices for traders.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 86 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 75 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading experiences offered by City Index and Swissquote, both platforms provide a broad set of features for traders using either iPhone or Android devices. Users of both apps can receive stock and forex price alerts and have access to real-time quotes on customizable watchlists. However, City Index sets itself apart by offering watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless updates between the mobile app and the online account, a feature not available with Swissquote. Additionally, City Index supports a more extensive suite of charting tools with 88 technical studies compared to Swissquote's 30, providing a richer technical analysis experience directly on their mobile platform.
Both mobile apps allow traders to draw trendlines and view charts across multiple time frames, including daily, weekly, and intraday options. Drawings are auto-saved on both platforms, ensuring users' technical analyses remain accessible. The capabilities of both apps have been well received, with each receiving a rating of 4.5 stars for their mobile trading functionalities. However, City Index holds a slight edge in the marketplace, ranking #9 out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category, while Swissquote is ranked at #12. This subtle ranking difference highlights City Index's more comprehensive offering in the mobile trading sphere.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When examining the market research features of City Index and Swissquote, both brokers stand out for their commitment to providing useful insights. Each offers daily market commentary and delivers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, meeting the needs of traders looking for reliable information. However, they differ in their tools for analysis. City Index offers tools from Trading Central, including Technical Analytics, as well as a sentiment-based trading tool that provides a glimpse into market sentiments through the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. On the other hand, Swissquote shines with its offerings from Autochartist, catering to traders interested in technical analysis.
In terms of shared features, both brokers include comprehensive economic calendars to keep traders informed about global economic events. Despite some differences in their toolsets, both platforms are well-regarded, with City Index edging out slightly with a 4.5-star rating compared to Swissquote’s 4-star rating in research. Furthermore, City Index is ranked #10 and Swissquote #16 out of 63 brokers in the research category by ForexBrokers.com, indicating strong research capabilities for both but with a slight advantage for City Index.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners seeking educational resources, both City Index and Swissquote offer extensive materials on forex and CFDs. Each platform provides a minimum of 10 pieces of content, including articles, videos, and webinars, making it easy for newcomers to grasp the basics of trading. Additionally, both brokers hold monthly educational webinars and maintain searchable archives of these sessions. This ensures that if a beginner misses a live webinar, they can still access important information later.
City Index and Swissquote also cater to a range of experience levels. Both offer at least 10 videos tailored for beginners, ensuring that newcomers can build a solid foundation. For those looking to advance their knowledge, each broker boasts a collection of videos aimed at experienced traders. Moreover, their investor dictionaries feature over 50 investing terms to help decode complex jargon. However, City Index takes a slight lead in education, earning a 4.5-star rating compared to Swissquote's 4-star rating. Furthermore, City Index ranks 9th in ForexBrokers.com's Education category, while Swissquote sits at 21st, reflecting City Index's broader appeal to educational seekers.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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 Swissquote. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11.
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
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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While both City Index and Swissquote offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, only Swissquote provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both City Index and Swissquote offer ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Visa or Mastercard as options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, while City Index does not support Skrill, which is available with Swissquote; additionally, both platforms facilitate bank wire transactions.
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 | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Swissquote Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Swissquote | |
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| Regulation | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 472 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 80 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $1000 | |
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 86 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 75 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | City Index | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Swissquote Review |
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