Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs ThinkMarkets, 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 ThinkMarkets are two prominent choices for online brokerage services that cater to different investor needs. Founded in 1983, City Index boasts an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, reflecting its status as a highly trusted broker. The company holds seven Tier-1 licenses, indicating a strong regulatory foundation. Although not a bank, City Index is a publicly traded entity, providing an added layer of transparency for its clients.
ThinkMarkets, on the other hand, was established in 2010 and achieves a Trust Score of 92, categorizing it as a trusted broker. The firm holds five Tier-1 licenses, showing a solid regulatory presence, along with two Tier-2 licenses. Unlike City Index, ThinkMarkets is not publicly traded, yet it remains a reliable option for those seeking a trustworthy brokerage without the involvement of banking activities.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
When it comes to evaluating online brokers based on commissions and fees, City Index and ThinkMarkets offer distinct features. City Index stands out with a rating of 4.5 stars, securing the 14th spot among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for the Commissions and Fees category. Its pricing for CFDs, forex, and spread-betting is competitive within the industry average, with an access to exclusive pricing through the Premium Trader account for deposits exceeding £10,000. As of July 2023, City Index offers an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD. Additionally, active traders can benefit from rebates starting at £4 per million in the UK, scaling up based on monthly trade volumes.
ThinkMarkets, on the other hand, receives a slightly lower rating of 4 stars and ranks 47th in the same category. Despite lacking specific average spread data, ThinkMarkets is a reliable option for traders focusing on other aspects of trading. The absence of detailed spread information might make it difficult for traders to compare upfront trading costs directly, but the platform remains a respected choice in the trading community.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.1 |
| 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.
City Index and ThinkMarkets both offer online trading platforms providing a range of investment opportunities, but they differ notably in the variety of options available. City Index boasts a more extensive selection with 13,500 tradeable symbols compared to ThinkMarkets' 4,000. When it comes to forex trading, both platforms offer forex as a CFD or spot contract, but City Index provides a more comprehensive offering of 66 tradeable forex pairs, whereas ThinkMarkets offers 46 pairs. Neither platform offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges. However, ThinkMarkets does provide access to international exchanges, unlike City Index.
Both City Index and ThinkMarkets offer cryptocurrency derivatives but do not facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. They each support copy trading, allowing users to mimic the strategies of experienced traders. In terms of investment range ratings, City Index has garnered a higher ranking, receiving 5 stars for its range of investments and coming in at #8 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. ThinkMarkets follows with a 4.5-star rating, ranking #22. These distinctions highlight City Index's broader investment offerings compared to ThinkMarkets.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 4000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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 it comes to comparing the online trading platforms and tools of City Index and ThinkMarkets, both brokers offer a variety of features designed to facilitate a seamless trading experience. Both platforms provide free demo accounts to practice trading without risk. Each broker also boasts proprietary platforms alongside the widely popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) software. However, ThinkMarkets stands out by offering MetaTrader 5 (MT5), a feature City Index lacks. Both brokers ensure flexibility by offering Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms, enabling convenience for traders regardless of their device preference.
For those interested in charting, City Index offers an extensive selection of 239 drawing tools, significantly more than the 15 provided by ThinkMarkets, giving traders more options for technical analysis. Both brokers allow users to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing trading efficiency. Additionally, when it comes to watch list customization, ThinkMarkets provides more with 15 columns compared to City Index's 11. Despite these differences, City Index is rated slightly higher with 4.5 stars for their trading platforms and ranks 11th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to ThinkMarkets, which holds 4 stars and ranks 28th.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 15 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between City Index and ThinkMarkets for mobile trading apps, both platforms offer applications for iPhone and Android users, ensuring broad accessibility across devices. Each allows traders to set stock or forex price alerts and create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, City Index stands out with its ability to sync watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the client's online account, making it easier for users to maintain consistency across platforms. ThinkMarkets lacks this feature, which may be a consideration for traders who need seamless integration between multiple devices.
Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on stock or forex charts, with automatic saving of chart drawings. When it comes to charting capabilities, ThinkMarkets slightly edges out City Index by offering 94 technical studies compared to City Index's 88. However, City Index's mobile app is rated higher, receiving 4.5 out of 5 stars, and ranks as the 9th best among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, ThinkMarkets holds a 4-star rating and ranks 20th. For those prioritizing a higher-rated app and better integration features, City Index could be the more favorable choice.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 94 |
| 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 it comes to market research, both City Index and ThinkMarkets offer daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Both platforms provide an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news events. However, the similarities start to diverge in other areas. City Index takes a slight edge with technical analysis tools from Trading Central, unlike ThinkMarkets, which does not offer these resources. Additionally, both brokers have sentiment-based trading tools, yet ThinkMarkets brings Acuity Trading's Signal Centre into the mix, which City Index doesn't offer.
In terms of overall ratings, City Index surpasses ThinkMarkets with a 4.5-star research score compared to the 3.5-star rating for ThinkMarkets. This higher score reflects City Index's emphasis on varied research tools and comprehensive market insights. According to ForexBrokers.com, City Index ranks as the 10th best broker for research out of a field of 63, while ThinkMarkets comes in at a lower 50th position. This disparity highlights City Index's strong research offerings, making it a preferred choice for traders seeking insightful and well-rounded market analysis.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both City Index and ThinkMarkets offer a rich selection. Each broker provides at least 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, focused primarily on forex and CFDs. They also hold online educational client webinars monthly and maintain a searchable archive of these sessions for convenient access. Additionally, both brokers have developed beginner and advanced educational videos covering a range of trading topics, ensuring that newcomers and experienced traders alike can continue to enhance their trading knowledge.
City Index and ThinkMarkets also equip their clients with an investor dictionary containing definitions of at least 50 investing terms, providing a solid foundation for understanding industry jargon. However, when evaluated for educational offerings, City Index receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to ThinkMarkets’ 3.5 stars. This superior rating is reflected in City Index’s impressive #9 ranking out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for their educational services, whereas ThinkMarkets is ranked at #52. This positioning highlights City Index as a more favorable choice for those prioritizing educational resources in their trading journey.
| Feature |
City Index
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 ThinkMarkets. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27.
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
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 92 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both City Index and ThinkMarkets do not provide options for purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrencies but do offer opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In the realm of online brokerage, City Index stands out by offering ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, alongside traditional options like Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ThinkMarkets provides flexibility with Skrill and the conventional methods of Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal support.
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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 92 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| 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 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 4000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.1 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 15 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 94 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | City Index | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill