City Index Review 2025: Advanced Platforms & Cheap Trading

City Index Review 2025: Your Gateway to Comprehensive Trading Solutions

Explore City Index’s advanced platforms, diverse markets, and tax-efficient spread betting options for UK traders.

Introduction

City Index, established in 1983, is a globally recognized broker that has built a strong reputation over the years for its diverse range of trading instruments, advanced platforms, and competitive pricing. Moreover, with over 13,500 markets available, including forex, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, City Index ensures that traders have access to a wide variety of assets. As a result, it caters to both beginner and professional traders, offering tools and features suited to different experience levels. Additionally, it provides spread betting accounts, which makes it a unique choice for UK clients seeking tax-efficient trading options.

Key Features

Minimum Deposit: $0
Tradable Assets: Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, Cryptocurrencies, Bonds, Options, Metals
Tier 1 Regulation: FCA, ASIC, MAS
Trading Platforms: Web Trader, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), TradingView, Mobile Apps
Maximum Leverage: Up to 1:30 (Retail), Up to 1:400 (Professional)
Main Features: Access to over 13,500 trading instruments, competitive spreads from 0.5 pips, advanced charting tools with 100+ indicators, no minimum deposit requirement, award-winning customer support

Pros and Cons of City Index

City Index Fees Overview

City Index offers a transparent fee structure that caters to various trading styles:

Forex Trading: Spreads starting from 0.5 pips on major pairs.
CFD Trading: Competitive spreads, e.g., 1-point spread on the UK 100 index.
Spread Betting: Tax-free profits for UK residents, with tight spreads.
Non-Trading Fees: Inactivity fee of £12 per month after 12 months of inactivity.

Disclaimer: Fees are accurate as of January 2025 and are subject to change. Please visit City Index’s official website for the latest updates.

A Closer Look at City Index's Trading Platforms

Trading Platforms

City Index provides powerful platforms designed to meet the needs of all traders:

Web Trader: A user-friendly browser-based platform with advanced charting tools and customizable layouts.
TradingView Integration: Access TradingView’s advanced charting and analysis tools.
Mobile App: A fully functional mobile trading app for iOS and Android devices, offering trading on the go.

Discover City Index’s Trading Platform Today!

Assets You Can Trade on City Index

Forex

Over 65 currency pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics.

Spreads starting from 0.5 pips on major pairs.

Leverage up to 1:30 for retail clients.

24-hour trading, five days a week.

Access to thousands of global shares, including UK, US, and European markets.

Competitive commissions, e.g., 0.1% per trade on UK shares.

Leverage up to 1:5 for retail clients.

Dividend adjustments on long positions.

Crypto

Trade popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin via CFDs.

Available 24/7 with high liquidity.

Leverage up to 1:2 for retail clients.

No need for a digital wallet; trade directly through the platform.

Commodities

Trade a range of commodities, including gold, oil, and agricultural products.

Spreads from 0.06 points on US crude oil.

Leverage up to 1:10 for retail clients.

Diverse markets to hedge against inflation.

Indices

Trade major global indices like the UK 100, Wall Street, and Germany 30.

Spreads from 1 point on the UK 100 index.

Leverage up to 1:20 for retail clients.

No commission fees on index trades.

City Index Account Types

City Index offers a variety of account types designed to meet the needs of different traders. Whether you are a beginner looking for a simple trading experience or a professional trader seeking advanced execution, City Index provides account options that cater to your requirements. Below, we explore the different account types available.

1. CFD Trading Account

Best for: Traders looking for leveraged trading across multiple asset classes
Assets: Forex, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
Commissions: No commission on forex and indices; commission applies to share CFDs
Leverage: Up to 1:30 for retail clients (higher for professionals)
Execution Type: Market execution

The CFD Trading Account allows traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. Furthermore, this account offers access to thousands of markets, competitive spreads, and fast execution speeds, making it a great choice for traders looking to capitalize on short-term price fluctuations.

2. Spread Betting Account (UK Clients Only)

Best for: UK-based traders seeking tax-free trading opportunities
Assets: Forex, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
Commissions: No commission; costs included in the spread
Leverage: Up to 1:30 for retail traders (higher for professionals)
Execution Type: Market execution

The Spread Betting Account is a unique option available exclusively to UK clients. Unlike traditional CFD trading, spread betting allows traders to speculate on price movements without paying capital gains tax. Additionally, this account provides access to the same markets as the CFD account but in a tax-efficient manner, making it an attractive choice for UK residents.

3. Professional Account

Best for: Experienced traders who qualify for professional status
Assets: Forex, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
Commissions: No commission on forex and indices; lower commission on share CFDs
Leverage: Up to 1:400
Execution Type: Market execution with advanced order types

For traders who meet the eligibility criteria, the Professional Account offers significantly higher leverage and lower trading costs. However, professional traders do not receive certain retail client protections, such as negative balance protection. Therefore, this account is best suited for those with extensive trading experience and a deep understanding of risk management.

4. Corporate Account

Best for: Businesses and institutional traders
Assets: Forex, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
Commissions: Custom pricing based on trading volume
Leverage: Custom leverage options based on account size and regulatory requirements
Execution Type: Market execution with institutional-grade liquidity

The Corporate Account is designed for businesses and professional trading firms that require access to institutional-grade liquidity and custom trading conditions. Additionally, this account provides tailored support and premium trading tools, making it ideal for high-volume traders and institutions.

Which City Index Account Should You Choose?

If you are a retail trader looking for leveraged trading, the CFD Trading Account is a solid choice.
If you are a UK trader seeking tax-free trading, the Spread Betting Account offers unique advantages.
If you are a professional trader needing higher leverage, the Professional Account provides enhanced trading conditions.
If you are trading on behalf of a company or institution, the Corporate Account is the best option.

Regardless of the account type you choose, City Index ensures a seamless trading experience with competitive spreads, powerful platforms, and excellent execution speeds.

Deposits & Withdrawals

City Index provides a variety of deposit and withdrawal options to ensure a seamless trading experience. Moreover, all transactions are processed securely, giving traders confidence in managing their funds efficiently. Below, we outline the available deposit and withdrawal methods, along with key details on processing times and potential fees.

Deposit Methods

Depositing funds into a City Index trading account is straightforward. Additionally, most deposit methods are fee-free, making it convenient for traders to fund their accounts without extra costs.

Bank Transfers – A secure option for larger deposits. However, processing times can take 1-2 business days, depending on your bank.
Credit/Debit Cards (Visa & Mastercard) – Instant deposits for quick account funding, making it one of the fastest options available.
PayPal – A convenient and widely used e-wallet option that allows instant deposits.
Skrill & Neteller – Alternative e-wallet solutions that provide fast and easy deposits for eligible clients.

While most deposit methods are processed instantly, bank transfers may take longer due to processing times from financial institutions.

Withdrawal Methods

City Index also offers multiple withdrawal options, allowing traders to access their funds with ease. However, withdrawal times may vary depending on the method chosen.

Bank Transfers – One of the most secure withdrawal options, with funds typically arriving within 1-3 business days.
Credit/Debit Cards – Withdrawals can be processed back to the same card used for deposits. However, depending on your bank, funds may take 2-5 business days to reflect.
PayPal – A fast and efficient withdrawal method, usually processed within 24 hours.
Skrill & Neteller – Similar to PayPal, these e-wallet withdrawals are processed quickly, often within 24 hours.

City Index ensures that withdrawals are processed as efficiently as possible. However, traders should be aware that their bank or payment provider may impose additional processing times or fees.

Key Considerations for Deposits & Withdrawals

Most deposit methods are instant, except for bank transfers, which can take 1-2 business days.
Withdrawals to e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller) are faster than bank transfers or card withdrawals.
City Index does not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals, but third-party payment providers may apply their own charges.
Regulatory compliance ensures secure transactions, protecting traders’ funds at all times.

By offering multiple funding and withdrawal options, City Index provides traders with flexibility and reliability, ensuring that funds can be managed efficiently.

Is City Index Safe to Use?

FCA (UK)

Guarantees compliance with stringent financial regulations.

MAS (Singapore)

Provides regulatory oversight in Asia.

ASIC (Australia)

Provides oversight for Australian traders.

Trading Conditions

City Index provides traders with a highly competitive trading environment, offering tight spreads, fast execution, and access to a wide range of financial markets. Additionally, the broker ensures transparent pricing and advanced trading tools, making it a suitable choice for both beginner and experienced traders. Below, we explore the key trading conditions that City Index offers.

Spreads & Commissions

City Index offers competitive spreads across various asset classes. Moreover, the broker operates on a market execution model, ensuring that traders receive the best available prices with minimal requotes.

Forex Spreads: Starting from 0.5 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD.
Indices Spreads: As low as 1.0 points on key indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100.
Commodities Spreads: Gold spreads from 0.3 points and crude oil from 0.4 points.
Stock CFDs: Commission applies to share CFDs, starting from 0.08% per trade.
Spread Betting: No commission, as costs are included in the spread (UK clients only).

Since City Index offers both spread-based and commission-based pricing, traders can choose the model that best suits their strategy.

Leverage & Margin Requirements

Leverage allows traders to control larger positions with a smaller capital investment. However, it is essential to understand margin requirements and potential risks.

Retail Traders (Under FCA Regulation): Up to 1:30 leverage on major forex pairs.
Professional Traders: Eligible clients can access leverage up to 1:400, depending on the asset class.
Stock CFDs: Leverage up to 1:5 for selected markets.
Margin Call Policy: City Index applies automatic margin calls to prevent excessive losses.

While leverage can enhance potential gains, it also increases risk exposure. Therefore, traders should use risk management strategies to protect their capital.

Order Execution & Slippage

City Index is committed to providing fast and reliable execution across all markets. Moreover, its market execution model reduces the risk of requotes while ensuring that orders are filled at the best possible price.

Execution Speed: Orders are typically executed in milliseconds, ensuring minimal delay.
Slippage Protection: The broker aims to minimize slippage, particularly during volatile market conditions.
Guaranteed Stop-Loss Orders (GSLOs): Available on select markets, providing added protection against unexpected price movements.

Additionally, City Index offers depth-of-market pricing, allowing traders to see real-time bid and ask levels for better decision-making.

Key Takeaways on Trading Conditions

Tight spreads across forex, indices, and commodities ensure cost-effective trading.
Flexible leverage options allow traders to manage their exposure based on their risk appetite.
Fast execution speeds ensure that trades are placed efficiently.
Extensive risk management tools help traders protect their capital.

City Index delivers a well-rounded trading experience with competitive conditions, making it a strong choice for traders looking for reliability, flexibility, and efficiency.

How Does City Index Handle Customer Support?

City Index provides 24/5 customer support to assist traders:

Live Chat: For quick and efficient assistance.
Email Support: For more detailed inquiries and troubleshooting.
Phone Support: Regional support numbers for immediate help.

The broker also offers a comprehensive FAQ section and educational resources to support traders of all levels.

Start Trading with City Index Today!

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.