Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs VT Markets, 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, established in 1983, boasts a strong reputation in the trading community. It is publicly traded and holds seven Tier-1 licenses, which indicates a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. With a near-perfect Trust Score of 99, City Index is considered highly secure for traders seeking confidence in their trading platform. Despite not being a bank, its extensive regulatory approvals underline a commitment to maintaining a safe financial environment.
In contrast, VT Markets, founded in 2016, is a privately held company with regulatory oversight that includes one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license. This gives VT Markets a Trust Score of 70, categorized as an average risk by ForexBrokers.com but still offering a definitive level of regulatory coverage for its clients. Similar to City Index, VT Markets is not a bank but provides traders with a regulated framework, albeit with fewer top-tier licenses. This makes VT Markets a viable choice for those starting in trading while being mindful of its more recent establishment and tiered regulatory status.
| Feature |
City Index
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
City Index and VT Markets both offer competitive commission and fee structures, making them appealing choices for traders. City Index offers commission-free trades for CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, matching the industry average. Those seeking better pricing can use City Index's proprietary platforms or MetaTrader. Their Premium Trader account, available to traders with deposits over £10,000, provides exclusive pricing and dedicated customer service. For their CFD account, City Index has an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD, which aligns with industry standards but trails behind top competitors like Tickmill. Their program for active traders in the U.K. and Australia offers rebates based on trading volume. City Index earns a solid 4.5-star rating and ranks #14 among 62 brokers in commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, VT Markets offers two account types: the Standard STP and the Raw ECN. The Standard STP account features commission-free trading with a higher spread on pairs like the EUR/USD, typically 1.2 pips, while the Raw ECN account offers more competitive pricing with an effective spread of 0.83 pips, though it does involve commission. Both account types require a minimum deposit of $100. While the pricing for the Raw ECN account reflects the industry standard, the Standard STP account offers less attractive spreads. VT Markets also holds a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked #20 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
When choosing between these two brokers based on commissions and fees, traders should consider their account types and trading volume expectations, as City Index provides benefits for higher-volume traders and VT Markets offers flexibility with low minimum deposits.
| Feature |
City Index
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.8 |
| 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 VT Markets both support forex trading as a Contract for Difference (CFD) or spot contract, catering to forex traders looking to capitalize on global currency fluctuations. City Index impresses with a staggering 13,500 tradeable symbols, greatly overshadowing VT Markets, which offers 1,000 symbols. When it comes to forex pairs, City Index again leads with 66 pairs compared to VT Markets' 39. Both brokerages have adopted modern trading trends, providing copy trading options and access to cryptocurrency derivatives, albeit stopping short of offering actual cryptocurrencies. Notably, neither allows trade in U.S. exchange securities.
While City Index and VT Markets maintain similarities in some offerings, they diverge significantly in other areas. City Index does not provide access to international exchange securities, whereas VT Markets offers this service, allowing investors to buy shares like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. The range of investments earns City Index an impressive 5-star rating, ranking it 8th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, VT Markets holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks 39th, highlighting a notable difference in the breadth and accessibility of investment opportunities between these two online brokers.
| Feature |
City Index
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 39 |
| 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by City Index and VT Markets, both brokers provide users with a virtual demo account, allowing traders to practice and hone their skills in a simulated environment. City Index impresses with a proprietary platform that it developed in-house and offers robust Windows-based desktop and web-based options. VT Markets, while lacking a proprietary platform, still caters to traders with its Windows-based desktop and browser options, and stands out by supporting MetaTrader 5 (MT5), unlike City Index. Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and the option to engage in copy trading, yet neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade services.
City Index excels in offering a comprehensive set of tools that include 239 drawing tools for charting and allows users to trade directly from a stock chart. On the other hand, VT Markets provides 30 drawing tools and also supports trading from stock charts. For watch lists, City Index offers more customization with 11 columns, compared to VT Markets' 7 columns. Despite this, both brokers deliver solid services, with City Index earning a 4.5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, while VT Markets follows closely with a 4-star rating. City Index holds a significant edge with its ranking at #10 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while VT Markets is positioned at #47, showcasing City Index's more highly regarded platform offerings.
| Feature |
City Index
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 30 |
| 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 VT Markets, both brokers provide iPhone and Android apps along with features like price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. However, City Index stands out with watchlist syncing between mobile and online accounts, a convenient feature not available with VT Markets. This means if you update your watchlist on one platform with City Index, it will reflect on the other. City Index also offers a more comprehensive charting experience with 88 technical studies, as compared to VT Markets' 30.
City Index further distinguishes its app by automatically saving chart drawings, a detail missing from VT Markets' service. Both platforms allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and provide multiple time frame views. These capabilities contribute to City Index's higher rating of 4.5 stars, as compared to VT Markets’ 4 stars. On ForexBrokers.com, City Index is ranked 9th out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, whereas VT Markets is ranked 44th, indicating a stronger market position for City Index in this aspect.
| Feature |
City Index
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of City Index and VT Markets, both brokers provide robust resources tailored for traders. Both platforms deliver daily market commentary and critical forex news sourced from reputable providers such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Traders on either platform can also benefit from technical insights through tools offered by Trading Central, enhancing their analysis and decision-making processes. Both City Index and VT Markets feature sentiment-based trading tools, which provide a clear view of position ratios across various instruments. Furthermore, an economic calendar is available at both brokers, showcasing vital global news events that can impact trading decisions.
However, a closer look at their overall research ratings and rankings reveals distinct differences. City Index earns a commendable 4.5-star rating, placing it at #10 out of 62 brokerages on ForexBrokers.com for research capabilities. On the other hand, VT Markets garners a 3.5-star rating, which lands it at a rank of #36. This indicates a slightly higher effectiveness and satisfaction level for City Index users concerning research tools and resources. Notably, neither City Index nor VT Markets currently offer research tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. For traders prioritizing comprehensive analysis tools and insights, City Index may present a more appealing option given its higher research standing.
| Feature |
City Index
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| 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.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by City Index and VT Markets, both brokers provide a solid start with over ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs. City Index surpasses expectations by offering monthly webinars that are informative and timely. This is an area where VT Markets lags behind, providing no regular online educational webinars. Additionally, City Index enhances learning by providing access to a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, a feature VT Markets lacks. Both brokers excel in offering a range of beginner educational videos, but City Index takes it a step further by also providing extensive content for advanced traders, which VT Markets does not.
In terms of supportive educational tools, both brokers offer an investor dictionary that defines more than 50 investing terms. However, City Index stands out with its higher rating of 4.5 stars for education, compared to VT Markets' 3.5 stars. The distinction is further highlighted in rankings, with City Index secured at #9 out of 62 brokers for education by ForexBrokers.com, contrasting VT Markets' lower position at #55. For beginners seeking comprehensive resources and ongoing learning opportunities, City Index seems to offer a more enriched experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that City Index is better than VT Markets. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while VT Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
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
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 |
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Both City Index and VT Markets do not offer the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both platforms provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
City Index and VT Markets differ in their deposit and withdrawal options: City Index supports ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while VT Markets offers Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks support for ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal.
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 | VT Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | VT Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | VT Markets | |
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| Regulation | City Index | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 39 | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $100 | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | City Index | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | VT Markets Review |
| Overall | City Index | VT Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | VT Markets Review |
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