City Index vs XTB (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.…
XTB is a forex and CFD broker offering a proprietary platform, broad instrument coverage, and integrated research and education. It is regulated in multiple jurisdictions.
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. XTB (Poland, founded 2002) holds 5 regulatory licences (DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF), 1 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 47 countries; City Index is available in 183 countries where XTB is not, and XTB in 1 where City Index is not.
Verdict at a glance
City Index leads on track record, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
XTB leads on trust rank and regulatory coverage.
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 XTB: side-by-side data
Criteria
City Index
XTB
Trust rank
#16
#7
Founded
1983
2002
Headquarters
United Kingdom
Poland
Regulators
ASIC, FCA
DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF
Broker type
Market Maker
Market Maker
Platforms
MT4, Proprietary
Proprietary
Instruments
Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices
Countries accepted
230 countries
48 countries
Fee level
Low
Low
Trading types
CFD Trading, Spot Trading
CFD 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)
XTB
Tier-1 multi-jurisdiction regulation
Proprietary xStation 5 platform with advanced charting and one-click trading
Official xAPI for algorithmic trading and data access
Competitive FX spreads with commission-free Standard account
Publicly listed broker with audited financials
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
XTB
No MetaTrader 5 support
No guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs)
Inactivity fee after prolonged inactivity
Withdrawal fees for small amounts below minimum threshold
No integrated social/copy trading
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
XTB
Multi asset CFD trading Forex Indices Commodities Shares ETFs Crypto
Real stock and ETF investing zero commission up to monthly cap
xStation 5 proprietary platform advanced charting sentiment and risk tools
Publicly listed broker segregated client funds and negative balance protection
Tier one regulation including FCA and KNF
Extensive education research and market news resources
Country availability: City Index vs XTB
Available at both (47): Angola, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and 7 more.
Only City Index (183): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei and 158 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 XTB: common questions
Which broker is more regulated, City Index or XTB?
XTB holds more regulatory licences: City Index (ASIC, FCA) versus XTB (DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF). Tier-1 licences: City Index 2, XTB 1.
Which trading platforms do City Index and XTB offer?
City Index offers MT4, Proprietary; XTB offers Proprietary.
Which has lower fees, City Index or XTB?
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 XTB?
City Index is the older of the two, founded in 1983; XTB was founded in 2002.
Are City Index and XTB available in the same countries?
They overlap in 47 countries. City Index is additionally available in 183 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla and 177 more) and XTB 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.