Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Trade Nation, 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 Trade Nation are two online brokers with varying trust ratings and regulatory standings. Founded in 1983, City Index boasts an impressive Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, marking it as highly trusted. It operates with seven Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of regulatory compliance. City Index is also publicly traded, which adds a layer of transparency for its users. While it is not a bank, its strong regulatory track record and long history contribute to its highly trusted status.
In contrast, Trade Nation, established in 2014, has a Trust Score of 85, placing it in the trusted category. The broker holds two Tier-1 and one Tier-2 licenses, showing a significant level of regulatory oversight, though less extensive than City Index. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, Trade Nation still maintains a solid trust position within the industry. Both brokers provide an array of online trading services, but their levels of trust and regulatory coverage set them apart in a meaningful way.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
City Index offers pricing that aligns with the industry average for CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products. For optimal pricing, traders can utilize City Index’s proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. Their Premium Trader account is available for those depositing more than £10,000, providing exclusive pricing and services. City Index exhibits an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD, keeping their all-in cost in line with the industry norm, but slightly below market leaders like Tickmill. Active trader rebates are also available for professional traders in the UK and Australia, varying by trade volume.
Trade Nation shines with competitive fixed-spread pricing across all trading symbols on its proprietary platform. Opting for fixed spreads, Trade Nation lists a stable spread of 0.6 pips on the EUR/USD, with brief widening during daily rollover periods. This pricing approach requires no additional calculations for traders, securing an average spread close to 1 pip when adjusted for these periods. Trade Nation provides three main account types, with its proprietary TN Trader platform offering competitive all-in costs, particularly when compared to its MetaTrader-based accounts.
In terms of ratings and rankings, City Index scores 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #14 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Trade Nation receives a higher rating of 5 stars in the same category and holds the #7 spot. This indicates that while City Index provides a solid option with average pricing, Trade Nation’s fixed spreads and competitive structure make it a highly rated choice among traders.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.6 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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 Trade Nation are both well-regarded online brokers allowing users to trade forex on either CFDs or spot contracts. With City Index, you have access to a vast array of 13,500 tradeable symbols, including 66 forex pairs. Meanwhile, Trade Nation offers a more modest selection of 1,000 symbols with 46 forex pairs. Neither platform provides the option to invest in exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, but both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives without allowing for the purchase of the actual cryptocurrency itself.
For users interested in copy trading, both City Index and Trade Nation support this feature, providing an added level of interactivity for traders. According to ForexBrokers.com, City Index receives a stellar 5-star rating for its range of investments and ranks 8th out of 63 brokers. On the other hand, Trade Nation receives a 3.5-star rating and is placed at 38th. With its extensive variety of investment choices, City Index stands out as a more diversified option for those looking to explore a broad spectrum of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 46 |
| 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.
City Index and Trade Nation both offer aspiring traders the chance to refine their skills through free virtual demo accounts, empowering users to engage in simulated trading environments. Each broker boasts their own in-house developed platforms, ensuring a tailored trading experience. Both provide versatile trading options with web-based platforms, Windows-based downloadable platforms, and the famous MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for a rich trading experience. However, neither offers the enhanced capabilities of MetaTrader 5 (MT5), DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade. In terms of copy trading, both brokers have this feature integrated into their services. When it comes to charting, City Index provides an impressive 239 drawing tools, whereas Trade Nation offers 39, showcasing a significant difference in charting capabilities.
In trading from stock charts, City Index holds the advantage, enabling trades directly, a feature that Trade Nation lacks. Trade Nation, however, offers more customization for watch lists with 14 columns compared to City Index's 11. Evaluating their performance, City Index shines with a 4.5-star rating and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools according to ForexBrokers.com, while Trade Nation garners a 4-star rating, securing the #44 position. This highlights City Index's stronger implementation of trading features and tools, making it a more favorable choice for many traders.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 39 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 14 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and Trade Nation both provide excellent mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users. Each app offers essential features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to sync watchlists between mobile and online accounts, as well as the capability to view multiple time frames on charts. Both platforms enable drawing trend lines and saving these drawings automatically on charts, enhancing the trading experience. When examining technical studies available for charting, Trade Nation slightly edges out City Index, offering 99 studies compared to City Index's 88.
Both mobile apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, offering a streamlined trading experience. However, City Index tends to have a more favorable perception with users, earning a 4.5-star rating compared to Trade Nation's 4 stars. This is mirrored in their rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where City Index is placed at #9 among 63 brokers, significantly ahead of Trade Nation’s #45. Overall, while both apps are commendable choices for mobile trading, City Index appears to have a slight advantage in user satisfaction and industry recognition.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 99 |
| 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.
City Index and Trade Nation both shine when it comes to providing daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. However, City Index edges ahead with its inclusion of Trading Central's technical analysis tools, offering traders an advanced edge. On the other hand, Trade Nation does not incorporate Trading Central but compensates by integrating Acuity Trading's research tools, giving traders alternate analysis options. Notably, both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools, crucial for understanding market dynamics across currency pairs, yet City Index further enhances its research offerings by providing a comprehensive economic calendar, a feature not available with Trade Nation.
In terms of overall research capabilities, City Index receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Trade Nation's 3.5 stars. This rating is reflected in their respective rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where City Index holds the 10th position out of 63 brokers, while Trade Nation is positioned further down at 42nd. These distinctions illustrate City Index's superior market research offerings, making it a more appealing choice for traders seeking in-depth analysis tools and economic insights.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing educational resources for beginners, City Index and Trade Nation both provide more than 10 educational pieces on forex and CFDs through articles, videos, or archived webinars. Both platforms offer a rich selection of more than 10 beginner-focused videos on trading topics, along with advanced educational videos for seasoned traders. Additionally, they both provide a comprehensive investor dictionary featuring over 50 investing terms, which can be extremely helpful for newcomers looking to familiarize themselves with trading jargon.
However, City Index stands out by offering monthly live educational webinars, which Trade Nation does not provide. Furthermore, City Index offers a searchable archive of past webinars, giving access to a wealth of knowledge at any time, another feature absent from Trade Nation. These added services contribute to City Index’s higher education rating of 4.5 stars compared to Trade Nation's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, City Index ranks 9th out of 63 brokers for educational resources, while Trade Nation ranks 41st. For beginners seeking comprehensive learning tools and interactive opportunities, City Index may offer a more enriched educational experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 Trade Nation. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Trade Nation finished with an overall rank of #34.
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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Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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Both City Index and Trade Nation do not offer the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers City Index and Trade Nation, City Index stands out by offering ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, while Trade Nation lacks these options but supports Skrill, with both brokers allowing Visa, Mastercard, and 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 | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Trade Nation Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Trade Nation | |
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| Regulation | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | No | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 46 | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.6 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 14 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 39 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 99 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Education | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation Review |
| Overall | City Index | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Trade Nation Review |
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