Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Xtrade, 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.
When comparing online brokers, City Index stands out with its strong reputation and trustworthiness. Founded in 1983, City Index boasts a Trust Score of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating it is highly trusted. The broker is publicly traded, which adds to its credibility, and it holds seven Tier-1 licenses, the highest level of trustworthiness. City Index also maintains a Tier-2 license, further establishing its trusted status in the financial industry.
Xtrade, established in 2003, presents a more moderate risk profile with a Trust Score of 74. Unlike City Index, Xtrade is not publicly traded. It holds one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, reflecting an average level of trust. Although both brokers are non-banks and regulated, City Index's extensive regulatory framework and higher Trust Score may appeal to traders seeking a more established and secure trading environment.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2003 |
| 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 | 1 |
When comparing City Index and Xtrade in terms of commissions and fees, City Index stands as a strong competitor with its alignment to industry averages for CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products. Offering a Premium Trader account, City Index appeals to active traders who deposit over £10,000. This account provides exclusive pricing, events, and dedicated customer service, adding value beyond standard offerings. Its CFD account maintains an average spread of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD, consistent with industry norms but trailing behind top-tier brokers such as Tickmill and FP Markets. Additionally, City Index provides incentives like active trader rebates, starting at £4 per million for U.K.-based professional traders who trade over £25 million monthly, and offering even higher rebates for larger volumes.
Xtrade, in contrast, lacks available average spread data, which may be a crucial factor for traders seeking transparency in pricing. This absence makes it challenging for potential clients to gauge the competitiveness of Xtrade's fees, particularly when compared to City Index’s comprehensive account offerings and rebate programs. As a result of these factors, City Index receives a 4.5-star rating for its commissions and fees, while Xtrade trails considerably with a 2.5-star rating.
Reflecting the brokers’ standings in the industry, City Index ranks 14th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com for its competitive commissions and fees structure. Xtrade, however, is positioned at the bottom of the list, ranked 63rd, due to its lack of transparent pricing data and potentially less competitive fee structures. This significant disparity highlights City Index as a more favorable choice for traders focusing on cost efficiency and value in brokerage services.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A |
| 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 Xtrade both offer forex trading as CFDs, catering to traders seeking exposure to the foreign exchange market. City Index stands out with a significantly larger selection of 13,500 tradeable symbols compared to Xtrade's 482. This extensive range includes 66 forex pairs, while Xtrade provides 56. However, neither platform offers direct access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, such as purchasing shares of companies like Apple or Vodafone.
For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, both brokers provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not support the purchase of actual digital coins. Another key difference lies in the area of copy trading, with City Index offering this popular feature and Xtrade opting out. This comprehensive investment range earns City Index a 5-star rating for its offerings, ranking it 8th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Xtrade, with its more limited selection, earns a 3.5-star rating, coming in at 49th place in the same ranking.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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.
Choosing the right online broker can be pivotal for your trading journey. If you're comparing City Index with Xtrade, both platforms offer unique features to enhance your trading experience. Both brokers provide simulated trading via free virtual demo accounts, and each has developed its own proprietary platform. However, only City Index caters to Windows users with a downloadable desktop trading platform, whereas Xtrade relies solely on web-based platforms. Copy trading enthusiasts will find City Index more appealing since Xtrade does not support this feature. Furthermore, City Index supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), enhancing its offering for those accustomed to that platform, a feature absent in Xtrade. Neither broker offers access to MetaTrader 5 (MT5), DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade, ensuring a streamlined approach to trading tools.
When it comes to charting capabilities, both brokers allow you to trade directly from stock charts, but City Index leads the way with 239 drawing tools compared to Xtrade's 100. Regarding watchlists, City Index offers more flexibility with 11 columns for customization versus Xtrade's 9. These differences reflect in their ratings, with City Index earning 4.5 stars for trading platforms and tools, while Xtrade garners 3.5 stars. This difference is reflected in their rankings, as City Index ranks #11 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Xtrade is positioned at #58. Ultimately, City Index offers a more extensive suite of tools and features, making it a favorable choice for traders seeking depth and versatility in their trading software.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
City Index and Xtrade both provide mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users, but there are significant differences in their features. City Index clearly stands out by offering features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to sync watchlists, meaning any changes made are automatically updated across devices. Xtrade, on the other hand, lacks these functionalities, which may be a drawback for traders seeking real-time updates and seamless device integration.
For traders interested in technical analysis, City Index offers impressive charting capabilities with 88 technical studies and functionality to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and auto-save chart drawings. In contrast, Xtrade doesn't provide these advanced charting tools. Additionally, City Index allows users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, which is another area where Xtrade falls short. Reflecting these advantages, City Index holds a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Xtrade's 4 stars for mobile trading. Furthermore, City Index ranks significantly higher at #9 in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category, compared to Xtrade's #53 rank, underscoring its superior app experience.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
City Index and Xtrade both engage users with daily market commentary and bring forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, while both platforms provide access to essential market updates, the depth of their research tools varies. City Index differentiates itself by offering tools from Trading Central, allowing users to access a comprehensive range of technical analytics. Additionally, it provides a sentiment-based trading tool that displays position ratios across various currency pairs, giving traders insightful perspectives on market trends. Xtrade, on the other hand, does not offer these advanced research tools.
Both City Index and Xtrade deliver an economic calendar that tracks major upcoming global events, keeping traders informed of potential market shifts. Despite these similarities, City Index stands out in its overall research offerings. It receives a commendable 4.5-star rating for research quality and ranks 10th among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Xtrade holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks 52nd. These rankings highlight City Index's superiority in providing research resources, which can be crucial for informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to education for beginners in trading, City Index and Xtrade both offer valuable learning resources, but there are distinct differences between them. Both platforms provide at least ten pieces of educational content focused on forex or CFDs, including articles and videos. However, City Index stands out by offering online webinars every month to enhance client learning, while Xtrade does not provide such webinars. Furthermore, City Index makes it even easier for learners by maintaining a searchable archive of past webinars, a feature Xtrade lacks.
In terms of video content, City Index caters to both beginners and experienced traders with numerous educational videos tailored to enhance users' trading skills. This is an area where Xtrade falls short, as they do not offer as many videos targeted at beginners or advanced traders. Both brokers provide an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, offering essential definitions that can help demystify complex trading jargon. Reflecting on these educational offerings, City Index is rated higher with 4.5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, whereas Xtrade holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #46. Overall, City Index offers a more comprehensive and user-friendly educational experience for novice traders.
| Feature |
City Index
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Xtrade. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
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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Xtrade
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 |
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Both City Index and Xtrade do not offer the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers City Index and Xtrade, City Index offers more diverse options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas Xtrade supports bank wires, Visa, Mastercard, and Skrill, but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal capabilities.
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 | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | City Index | Xtrade | |
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| Regulation | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.74 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $250 | |
| 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | City Index | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | City Index | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | City Index Review | Xtrade Review |
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