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

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

XTB

Trust rank #7 · Founded 2002

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.

Read the XTB review

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

CriteriaCity IndexXTB
Trust rank#16#7
Founded19832002
HeadquartersUnited KingdomPoland
RegulatorsASIC, FCADFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF
Broker typeMarket MakerMarket Maker
PlatformsMT4, ProprietaryProprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices
Countries accepted230 countries48 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading
Best-for use casesRetail TradingProfessional 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.

Only XTB (1): Canada.

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).

Keep comparing

City Index

XTB

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.