City Index vs Tickmill (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
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Data refreshed 25 Aug 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.…
Tickmill is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker that provides broad market access, platform choice, and tools for analysis, education, and risk management. It offers account options and support suited to a…
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. Tickmill (United Kingdom, founded 2014) holds 5 regulatory licences (CySEC, FCA, FSCA, Labuan FSA, Seychelles FSA), 1 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 227 countries; City Index is available in 3 countries where Tickmill is not, and Tickmill in 1 where City Index is not.
Verdict at a glance
City Index leads on trust rank, track record, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
Tickmill leads on regulatory coverage and instrument range.
Level on platform choice 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.
Copy 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)
Tickmill
Tight spreads and low commissions
Fast NDD execution, low latency
FCA & CySEC regulation
MT4 and MT5 platforms
High leverage up to 1:500
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
Tickmill
CFD-only; no real share or ETF investing
No guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs)
Protections vary by entity; offshore regulation for many clients
No proprietary platform; MetaTrader-focused
Limited in-house research and education tools
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
Tickmill
Multi jurisdiction regulation FCA CySEC FSCA and FSA Seychelles
ECN no dealing desk execution with raw spreads and low commissions
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with VPS and FIX API
Multi asset CFDs Forex Indices Commodities Bonds and Cryptocurrencies
Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
Scalping hedging algorithmic and copy trading supported
Country availability: City Index vs Tickmill
Available at both (227): 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 187 more.
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 Tickmill: common questions
Which broker is more regulated, City Index or Tickmill?
Tickmill holds more regulatory licences: City Index (ASIC, FCA) versus Tickmill (CySEC, FCA, FSCA, Labuan FSA, Seychelles FSA). Tier-1 licences: City Index 2, Tickmill 1.
Which trading platforms do City Index and Tickmill offer?
City Index offers MT4, Proprietary; Tickmill offers MT4, MT5.
Which has lower fees, City Index or Tickmill?
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 Tickmill?
City Index is the older of the two, founded in 1983; Tickmill was founded in 2014.
Are City Index and Tickmill available in the same countries?
They overlap in 227 countries. City Index is additionally available in 3 countries (India, Japan, Singapore) and Tickmill 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.