Markets.com
City Index
Markets.com vs City Index
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.
Markets.com and City Index are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. Markets.com, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA and offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips with a minimum deposit of $100. City Index, established in 1983 in London, UK, holds licenses from FCA with spreads from 0.5 pips and a $100 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, City Index scored 8.2/10 overall compared to Markets.com's 7.8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Markets.com holds its own with stronger regulation and wider product range, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 📊
City Index scores 8.2/10 overall vs 7.8/10 for Markets.com — a 0.4-point difference.
- 📈
City Index offers 4,500+ instruments vs 2,500+ at Markets.com — a notable difference in market coverage.
- 🖥️
Markets.com runs on Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5, while City Index uses City Index Platform, MT4 — different ecosystems for different trading styles.
Our Verdict
Markets.com
Score: 7.8/10 · Wins 2 categories- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- You want access to a wider range of instruments
- You prefer Markets.com's trading environment overall
City Index
Score: 8.2/10 · Wins 3 categories- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- Responsive customer support matters to you
- You rely on in-depth research and analysis tools
City Index takes the lead with an overall score of 8.2/10 compared to 7.8/10, winning in 3 out of 8 scoring categories. City Index stands out for lower trading costs and better customer support, while Markets.com fights back with stronger regulation and wider product range.
Detailed Verdict
After testing both brokers with real accounts, City Index comes out ahead with a 8.2/10 overall rating, winning 3 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Regulation & Trust where it scores 8.5/10. City Index holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Markets.com is not without merit — it scores 7.8/10 overall and excels in Regulation & Trust (9.0/10), winning 2 categories. Traders who value stronger regulation or wider product range may find Markets.com the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full City Index review and Markets.com review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.
Score Breakdown
City Index wins by 0.5 points
Markets.com wins by 0.5 points
City Index wins by 0.5 points
City Index wins by 0.5 points
Markets.com wins by 0.5 points
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 ✓ |
| Min Deposit Lower is better | $100 ✓ | $100 ✓ |
| Max Leverage | 1:300 | 1:200 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Platforms | Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5 | City Index Platform, MT4 |
| Regulation | CySEC, FCA, FSCA | FCA |
| Founded Older track record highlighted | 2008 | 1983 ✓ |
| Markets | 2,500+ | 4,500+ ✓ |
Fees & Costs
When it comes to trading costs, City Index has the edge with a score of 7.5/10 versus 7/10 for Markets.com. Markets.com offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips, while City Index starts from 0.5 pips. The minimum deposit at Markets.com is $100, compared to $100 at City Index. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.
Trading Platforms
Markets.com scores 8/10 for platforms compared to 8/10 for City Index. Markets.com provides Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5, while City Index offers City Index Platform, MT4. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is crucial for fund safety. Markets.com is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA (Tier 1), while City Index holds licenses from FCA (Tier 1). Markets.com scores 9/10 and City Index scores 8.5/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.
Education & Research
For learning resources, Markets.com leads with 7.5/10 compared to 7.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Markets.com and City Index both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.
Customer Support
Markets.com offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7.5/10, while City Index provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.
Deposit & Withdrawal
Markets.com scores 7.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while City Index scores 7.5/10. Markets.com accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, and City Index supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Markets.com requires a minimum deposit of $100 versus $100 for City Index. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.
Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choose Markets.com if you...
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- You want access to a wider range of instruments
- You prefer Markets.com's trading environment overall
Choose City Index if you...
- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- Responsive customer support matters to you
- You rely on in-depth research and analysis tools
🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?
Cast your vote — see what other traders think
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Markets.com better than City Index?
City Index scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.8/10), winning 3 of 8 categories. However, Markets.com is stronger in stronger regulation and wider product range. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.
Which has lower fees, Markets.com or City Index?
City Index scores higher for trading costs. Markets.com offers spreads from 0.6 pips with a $100 minimum deposit, while City Index starts from 0.5 pips with $100 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.
Is Markets.com safe to trade with?
Markets.com is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA and scores 9/10 for regulation. City Index is regulated by FCA with a score of 8.5/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.
Which has better trading platforms, Markets.com or City Index?
Markets.com scores 8/10 for platforms. Markets.com offers Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5, while City Index provides City Index Platform, MT4. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.
What's the minimum deposit for Markets.com vs City Index?
Markets.com requires a minimum deposit of $100, while City Index requires $100. City Index has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.
Ready to Start Trading?
Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.