Capital.com vs City Index (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

Capital.com

Trust rank #28 · Editorial rating 8.8 / 10 · Founded 2016

Capital.com is a well-regarded forex broker offering access to a broad range of currency pairs on web and mobile platforms, with built-in education, research, and risk management tools. It operates under regulatory…

Read the Capital.com review

City Index

Trust rank #16 · Founded 1983

City Index is a well-regarded, regulated forex broker offering forex and CFD trading across a broad range of markets via web and mobile platforms, supported by research, charting, and risk management tools.…

Read the City Index review

Capital.com (United Kingdom, founded 2016) holds 3 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView and sits in our low-fee bracket. City Index (United Kingdom, founded 1983) holds 2 regulatory licences (ASIC, FCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 185 countries; Capital.com is available in 0 countries where City Index is not, and City Index in 45 where Capital.com is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • Capital.com leads on regulatory coverage and platform choice.
  • City Index leads on trust rank, track record and country coverage.
  • Level on instrument range, fee level and tier-1 licences.

Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

Capital.com vs City Index: side-by-side data

CriteriaCapital.comCity Index
Editorial rating8.8 / 10Not verified
Trust rank#28#16
Founded20161983
HeadquartersUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCAASIC, FCA
Broker typeMarket MakerMarket Maker
PlatformsMT4, Proprietary, TradingViewMT4, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, IndicesCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted185 countries230 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesRetail TradingRetail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

Capital.com

  • Multi-regulated broker
  • Spread-only FX pricing
  • MT4, TradingView, and proprietary platforms
  • Wide range of currency pairs
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees

City Index

  • Tier-1 regulation (FCA/ASIC/MAS)
  • Competitive FX spreads
  • Fast execution and deep liquidity
  • Proprietary web/mobile platforms + MT4 support
  • Guaranteed Stop-Loss Orders (GSLO)

Cons

Capital.com

  • - Not available to U.S. clients
  • - No MetaTrader 5 or cTrader support
  • - No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • - Only CFD-based forex (no ECN/DMA)
  • - Retail leverage capped to 1:30 in EU/UK/AU

City Index

  • Inactivity fee applies
  • No MetaTrader 5 or cTrader support
  • Spread-only pricing; no raw ECN account
  • Average FX spreads vs low-cost peers
  • Not available to U.S. residents

Key features

Capital.com

  • Multi asset CFD and spread betting on forex indices commodities shares and crypto
  • Tier one regulation FCA CySEC ASIC with segregated client funds and negative balance protection
  • Proprietary web and mobile platforms with advanced charting and over 70 indicators
  • TradingView and MetaTrader 4 integration and REST API for algorithmic trading
  • Commission free spread only pricing with fast market execution
  • AI powered insights education and risk management tools including Investmate

City Index

  • Multi asset trading Forex CFDs and Spread Betting
  • Tier one regulation FCA ASIC MAS and client fund protection
  • Advanced platforms Web Trader Mobile and MetaTrader 4
  • Smart Signals performance analytics and advanced charting tools
  • Guaranteed Stop Loss Orders and negative balance protection
  • Fast execution competitive spreads and deep liquidity

Country availability: Capital.com vs City Index

Available at both (185): Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao and 145 more.

Only City Index (45): Afghanistan, American Samoa, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Congo, Eritrea, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guam, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mayotte and 20 more.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

Capital.com vs City Index: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Capital.com or City Index?

Capital.com holds more regulatory licences: Capital.com (ASIC, CySEC, FCA) versus City Index (ASIC, FCA). Tier-1 licences: Capital.com 2, City Index 2.

Which trading platforms do Capital.com and City Index offer?

Capital.com offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView; City Index offers MT4, Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, Capital.com or City Index?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, Capital.com or City Index?

City Index is the older of the two, founded in 1983; Capital.com was founded in 2016.

Are Capital.com and City Index available in the same countries?

They overlap in 185 countries. Capital.com is additionally available in 0 countries () and City Index in 45 countries (Afghanistan, American Samoa, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Burkina Faso and 39 more).

Keep comparing

Capital.com

City Index

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.