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 both earn 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, City Index sits at #15 of 63 brokers, while Vantage is #20 of 63. On headline EUR/USD costs, City Index’s average spread is 0.74 pips, which is broadly in line with the industry average. Vantage’s pricing varies by account: its Standard account lists typical spreads of 1.30 pips, the Raw ECN averages 0.15 pips plus a $6 round-turn commission (about 0.75 pips all-in), and the PRO ECN cuts commission to $4 per round turn but has stricter eligibility rules. For City Index, using its proprietary platforms or MetaTrader helps you access its best pricing.
City Index charges industry-average rates across CFDs, forex, and spread betting, though it trails pricing leaders like Tickmill and FP Markets. High-volume clients who deposit over £10,000 can apply for the Premium Trader account to unlock exclusive pricing and dedicated service. Active trader rebates are available for professionals: in the U.K., rebates start at £4 per million (above £25M monthly volume) and reach £7.5 per million (above £300M). In Australia, tiers range from AUD $4.5 to AUD $14.5 per million. These perks help trim costs for qualifying, high-volume traders.
Vantage’s costs hinge on the account you choose. The Standard STP account is spread-only and simplest but has the highest quoted spreads. The commission-based Raw ECN account targets lower all-in costs (about 0.75 pips on EUR/USD in the cited period), while the PRO ECN is Vantage’s sharpest pricing with $4 per round turn; however, it may require wholesale classification (Australia) or at least $10,000 funding (Cayman). Vantage also offers an active trader program that pays $2–$8 per standard lot based on equity and monthly volume, but it applies only to the higher-spread Standard account. Overall, Vantage’s pricing is mostly in line with the market, though it doesn’t beat leaders like Saxo, IG, or CMC Markets.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 1.30 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.75 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
City Index vs Vantage: both support forex trading (CFD or spot), offer copy trading, and let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto or real shares on U.S. or international exchanges. The big difference is breadth. City Index lists about 13,500 tradeable symbols and 66 forex pairs, while Vantage offers roughly 1,000 symbols and 61 forex pairs. If you want more markets to explore under one account, City Index has the clear edge.
Independent ratings back this up. For Range of Investments, City Index scores 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Vantage earns 3.5 stars and ranks #51. In short, City Index is better for traders seeking a wide selection of CFDs and forex pairs, while Vantage suits those who are comfortable with a smaller lineup.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Comparing online brokers City Index vs Vantage for trading platforms and tools: both offer free demo accounts for paper trading, in-house proprietary platforms, Windows desktop downloads, web-based platforms, copy trading, and MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Each also lets you place trades directly from charts, making it easier to act on your analysis without switching screens.
The key difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5) support: Vantage offers MT5, while City Index does not. According to ForexBrokers.com, City Index earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, whereas Vantage scores 4/5 stars and ranks #21. If you need MT5, Vantage is the pick; if you want a slightly higher-rated platform and tools experience, City Index has the edge.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and Vantage both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each supports price alerts to help you stay on top of market moves. A key difference is watchlist syncing: City Index syncs your watchlists between the app and your online account, while Vantage does not, which can matter if you switch devices or trade from desktop and mobile.
For charting, City Index stands out with 88 technical studies compared with Vantage’s 30. Both apps let you draw trendlines and will auto-save your drawings. In overall quality, City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage scores 4 stars and ranks #29. If you want deeper chart tools and synced watchlists, City Index is the stronger pick; if you need the basics across iPhone and Android with alerts and drawing tools, Vantage still gets the job done.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both City Index and Vantage provide daily market commentary and forex news from top sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Both brokers also equip traders with tools from Trading Central and offer sentiment-based trading features to help you make informed investment decisions. However, City Index lacks tools from Autochartist, while Vantage provides these essential technical and fundamental research tools to its users. Neither platform offers research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, nor do they include tools like Signal Centre.
For those keeping an eye on economic developments, both brokers deliver an economic calendar of global news events. Compared to Vantage, which is rated 4 stars and ranked #22 by ForexBrokers.com for research, City Index scores higher with a 4.5-star rating and is ranked #10. These distinctions point to City Index as a slightly more advantageous option when it comes to research offerings for traders seeking insightful market analysis.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| 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 and Vantage both deliver forex and CFD education that’s easy for beginners to get into. Each broker offers at least 10 beginner-focused videos plus live educational webinars every month, so you can learn step by step and ask questions in real time. Both also include 10+ advanced videos, giving you room to grow once you’ve mastered the basics. In short, if you want a library of beginner videos and frequent webinars, you’ll find it at both City Index and Vantage.
That said, City Index earns a higher education score: 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranked #9 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared with Vantage at 4 stars and ranked #24. For beginners who value a higher-rated learning experience with strong depth and consistency, City Index has the edge. Vantage remains a good option if you want a comparable mix of beginner videos and ongoing webinars but don’t need the very top ranking.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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
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Vantage
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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City Index vs Vantage: neither online broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs for trading.
City Index vs Vantage: For deposits and withdrawals, City Index supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers (no Skrill), while Vantage offers PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA; Visa/Mastercard availability is unspecified for both brokers.
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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 1.30 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.75 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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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