Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Vantage, 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 Vantage are two online brokers offering different levels of trust and credibility. Established in 1983, City Index is a well-founded choice supported by its public trading status and extensive regulatory oversight, boasting an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses and a perfect Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, Vantage, founded in 2009, is not publicly traded but still maintains a solid reputation with a Trust Score of 90. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, and one Tier-2 license, reinforcing its reliability in the eyes of investors.
Neither City Index nor Vantage operates as a bank, but both companies are committed to maintaining a secure trading environment under stringent regulations. While City Index's more extensive regulatory backing may appeal to those prioritizing well-established security, Vantage offers a reputable stance for investors seeking a slightly newer entrant in the financial markets. As each broker offers distinct benefits, evaluating their rating, regulatory status, and trading history can guide your decision to align with your specific trading needs and preferences.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2009 |
| 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 | 3 |
City Index and Vantage are two renowned online brokers offering competitive trading fees and commissions. Both are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for their pricing structures, but they differ in their approach and options. City Index ranks #14 out of 63 brokers, offering average spreads of 0.74 pips on EUR/USD for its CFD accounts, which align with the industry norm but lag behind top performers like Tickmill and FP Markets. The broker also provides premium features for active traders, such as a Premium Trader account with exclusive pricing and events for deposits over £10,000. Meanwhile, professional traders in the U.K. and Australia can gain rebates up to £7.5 or AUD $14.5 per million, contingent on their trading volumes.
On the other hand, Vantage ranks #19 in the same category and provides various account types with distinct pricing models, such as the spread-only Standard STP account and commission-based RAW ECN and PRO ECN accounts. While Vantage lists EUR/USD spreads at 1.30 pips for its Standard account, its Raw account offers narrower spreads of 0.15 pips with added commissions, totaling 0.75 pips. The PRO ECN account is the most cost-effective choice for those meeting specific funding or classification requirements, with commissions as low as $2 per side, akin to the competitive offerings from FP Markets and Tickmill.
Vantage also accommodates active traders with a rebate program exclusively for Standard account holders, providing rebates from $2 to $8 per standard lot based on equity and trading volume. Although this program supports reduced costs, it is only accessible for accounts starting at the $10,000 tier, with maximum rebates reserved for those maintaining at least $300,000 in equity. Ultimately, both City Index and Vantage present compelling options for traders, each excelling in different aspects of their pricing strategies. However, while both brokers are highly rated, they cannot match the price leadership found at brokers like Saxo, IG, and CMC Markets.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.30 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.75 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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 exploring investment options with online brokers, both City Index and Vantage stand out by offering forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. City Index emerges as a leader in diversity, boasting 13,500 tradeable symbols compared to Vantage's 1,000 symbols. With a slight edge in forex trading, City Index provides access to 66 forex pairs, whereas Vantage offers 61 pairs. Both brokers give users the option to engage in copy trading, but neither provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, nor do they facilitate buying actual cryptocurrencies directly, only crypto derivatives.
While City Index is rated highly at 5 stars for its range of investments, Vantage receives a 3.5-star rating. City Index holds a strong position, ranking eighth among 63 brokers, while Vantage is ranked fiftieth in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com. For investors looking for a broader selection of investment options, City Index positions itself as a more comprehensive choice with a wider range of tradeable assets.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 61 |
| 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 the trading platforms and tools of City Index and Vantage, both brokers offer a range of features that appeal to traders of all levels. City Index and Vantage each provide simulated trading with a free virtual demo account and proprietary platforms developed in-house. Both offer web-based and Windows-based desktop platforms alongside the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4), facilitating seamless access to the trading arena. However, Vantage takes a step further with support for MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and DupliTrade, offering additional depth for more experienced traders. While both brokers facilitate trading directly from stock charts, City Index stands out for its extensive 239 drawing tools for charting, compared to Vantage's 15, providing more detailed analysis options.
City Index also excels in customization with 11 watchlist columns versus Vantage’s 7, enhancing user experience and tracking capabilities. Both brokers enable copy trading but differ in rankings and ratings for their trading platforms and tools. City Index holds a higher score with 4.5 stars and ranks 11th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, demonstrating its strong user appeal. Meanwhile, Vantage, with 4 stars and a ranking of 21st, provides solid features but falls slightly behind in some platform capabilities. Both brokers deliver solid trading experiences, yet City Index offers a richer set of tools and customization options, earning a higher spot in user ratings and rankings.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 Vantage, both offer comprehensive options for iPhones and Android devices. Both apps provide essential features like stock and forex price alerts, as well as the ability to draw trendlines and view various time frames on charts. However, City Index stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, allowing seamless synchronization between mobile and online accounts, a convenience that Vantage does not offer. Moreover, City Index offers a substantial 88 technical studies for charting, whereas Vantage provides 30. Both apps support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes and auto-saving of chart drawings, adding to their ease of use.
City Index's mobile app has earned a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 9th out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Vantage's app has a 4-star rating and holds the 28th position. This ranking reflects City Index’s higher level of functionality and user satisfaction. Whether you prioritize extensive technical analysis tools or seamless account integration, City Index delivers a slightly more advanced mobile trading experience than Vantage.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
City Index and Vantage both deliver a variety of resources for traders seeking substantial market research. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and issue forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also offer sentiment-based trading tools, enabling insight into the ratio of long to short positions across various instruments. Both platforms support technical analysis tools from Trading Central, but only Vantage enhances its offering with additional tools from Autochartist. Additionally, each broker facilitates strategic planning with detailed economic calendars covering significant global events.
In terms of overall market research rating, City Index slightly edges out Vantage. Rated at 4.5 stars by ForexBrokers.com, City Index holds the 10th position among 63 brokers, underscoring its comprehensive market insights. Meanwhile, Vantage receives a respectable 4-star rating, placing it at 21st in the same category. Despite their differences, both brokers deliver robust market commentary and resources fitting for traders at all levels.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners exploring the educational resources offered by City Index and Vantage, both online brokers provide a comprehensive suite of materials designed to ease the learning curve in forex and CFDs trading. Each broker offers over ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on major trading subjects. They also host monthly live webinars and keep an accessible archive of past sessions, making it easy for newcomers to learn at their convenience. When it comes to video content, both City Index and Vantage deliver a rich array of beginner-focused videos, supplemented by content for more advanced traders. Furthermore, each platform includes a detailed investor dictionary, clarifying over 50 essential trading terms.
Despite the similarities, City Index edges out with a slightly higher education rating, scoring 4.5 stars compared to Vantage’s 4 stars. Moreover, City Index is ranked 9th by ForexBrokers.com out of 63 brokers in the education category, whereas Vantage holds the 24th spot. This suggests that while both brokers offer quality educational resources, City Index may provide a slightly superior learning experience for new traders. Such rankings could influence beginners looking to choose a broker that can guide them effectively as they start their trading journey.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vantage. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26.
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
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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Both City Index and Vantage do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and instead offer the capability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing the fund transfer options between online brokers, City Index offers ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support Skrill, while Vantage provides PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, yet lacks the ACH/SEPA transfer option.
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 | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Vantage Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Vantage | |
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| Regulation | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2009 | |
| 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 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 61 | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.30 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.75 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | City Index | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Vantage Review |
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