City Index vs FOREX.com (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
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Data refreshed 25 Sep 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
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.…
FOREX.com is a well-regarded forex broker offering broad access to forex markets through web, desktop, and mobile platforms, with research, education, and risk management tools. It operates under applicable regulatory oversight in…
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. FOREX.com (United States, founded 2001) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA), 4 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 229 countries; City Index is available in 1 countries where FOREX.com is not, and FOREX.com in 2 where City Index is not.
Verdict at a glance
City Index leads on track record.
FOREX.com leads on trust rank, regulatory coverage, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
Level on instrument range and fee level.
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.
City Index vs FOREX.com: side-by-side data
Criteria
City Index
FOREX.com
Editorial rating
Not verified
10 / 10
Trust rank
#16
#1
Founded
1983
2001
Headquarters
United Kingdom
United States
Regulators
ASIC, FCA
ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA
Broker type
Market Maker
DMA, Market Maker, STP
Platforms
MT4, Proprietary
MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView
Instruments
Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted
230 countries
231 countries
Fee level
Low
Low
Trading types
CFD Trading, Spot Trading
CFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use cases
Retail Trading
Professional Trading, Retail 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
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)
FOREX.com
Multi-jurisdiction regulation (US/UK/CA)
Accepts US clients
Proprietary platform + MT4/MT5 support
Competitive spreads with raw/commission pricing options
Extensive FX pair offering
Cons
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
FOREX.com
No CFDs for U.S. clients
FIFO and no-hedging rules on U.S. accounts
No negative balance protection in the U.S.
Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
High minimum balance for STP Pro/DMA accounts
Key features
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
FOREX.com
Spot forex and multi asset CFD trading
Top tier regulation and segregated client funds
MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 and Advanced Trading platform
TradingView integration and advanced charting tools
API trading via REST and FIX plus VPS support
Raw pricing with commission and standard spread only accounts
Country availability: City Index vs FOREX.com
Available at both (229): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island and 189 more.
Only City Index (1): Belgium.
Only FOREX.com (2): Canada, United States of America.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
City Index vs FOREX.com: common questions
Which broker is more regulated, City Index or FOREX.com?
FOREX.com holds more regulatory licences: City Index (ASIC, FCA) versus FOREX.com (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA). Tier-1 licences: City Index 2, FOREX.com 4.
Which trading platforms do City Index and FOREX.com offer?
City Index offers MT4, Proprietary; FOREX.com offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView.
Which has lower fees, City Index or FOREX.com?
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
Which is older, City Index or FOREX.com?
City Index is the older of the two, founded in 1983; FOREX.com was founded in 2001.
Are City Index and FOREX.com available in the same countries?
They overlap in 229 countries. City Index is additionally available in 1 countries (Belgium) and FOREX.com in 2 countries (Canada, United States of America).
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.