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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
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
Trust rank #5 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 1996
Swissquote provides forex and multi-asset trading through proprietary and third-party platforms, with research, education, and customer support. It is well-regarded for a broad product range, clear pricing, and tools suitable for different…
Read the Swissquote reviewCity 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. Swissquote (Switzerland, founded 1996) holds 4 regulatory licences (CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA), 3 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 230 countries; City Index is available in 0 countries where Swissquote is not, and Swissquote in 1 where City Index is not.
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.
| Criteria | City Index | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | Not verified | 10 / 10 |
| Trust rank | #16 | #5 |
| Founded | 1983 | 1996 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Switzerland |
| Regulators | ASIC, FCA | CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA |
| Broker type | Market Maker | STP |
| Platforms | MT4, Proprietary | MT4, MT5, Proprietary |
| Instruments | Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, 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.
Available at both (230): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, 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 and 190 more.
Only Swissquote (1): Canada.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
Swissquote holds more regulatory licences: City Index (ASIC, FCA) versus Swissquote (CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA). Tier-1 licences: City Index 2, Swissquote 3.
City Index offers MT4, Proprietary; Swissquote offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
City Index is the older of the two, founded in 1983; Swissquote was founded in 1996.
They overlap in 230 countries. City Index is additionally available in 0 countries () and Swissquote in 1 countries (Canada).
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.