UK-based brokerage City Index, now part of publicly listed US company StoneX, is a well-trusted company offering its advanced proprietary trading platform alongside MT4. City Index also delivers high-quality research, including its newly launched SMART Signals service, while beginner traders get an excellent educational platform.

Plus500 established itself as a trusted CFD execution-only brokerage, presenting its proprietary trading platform for manual traders. Plus500 offers traders a well-balanced asset selection and supports more complex trading strategies due to the availability of options trading.

Both brokers maintain a moderately more expensive pricing environment while offering guaranteed stop-loss orders. A premium service is also available at City Index and Plus500 alike for a balance of $10,000 and by invite-only, respectively.

We have conducted an in-depth review of City Index and Plus500 to determine which one presents the better overall choice and which traders will benefit the most at either broker.

Headquarters
IsraelUnited Kingdom
Regulators
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MASCySEC, FCA, FSA
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established
20081983
Execution Type(s)
Market MakerECN/STP
Minimum Deposit
$100None
Negative Balance Protection
N/A
Trading Platform(s)
Proprietary platform, Web-basedMetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform, Web-based
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
1.3 pips0.9 pips ($9.00)
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
1.7 pips1.5 pips ($15.00)
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
-$0.12
Average Trading Cost Gold
-$0.50
Retail Loss Rate
82.00%N/A
Minimum Raw Spreads
Not applicableN/A
Minimum Standard Spreads
Not applicableN/A
Minimum Commission for Forex
Commission-free N/A
Islamic Account
Signals
US Persons Accepted?
Managed Accounts
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Features and Platforms

MT4
MT5
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons
N/A
cTrader
Proprietary Platform
Automated Trading
Social/Copy Trading
N/A
DOM?
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Scalping
Hedging
One-Click Trading
OCO Orders
Interest on Margin
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Available Markets

Currency Pairs
N/A
Cryptocurrencies
N/A
Commodities
Crude Oil
Gold
Metals
Equity Indices
Stocks (non-CFDs)
Bonds
N/A
ETFs
Options
N/A
Futures
Synthetics
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City Index does not offer cryptocurrencies but maintains an overall well-balanced list of trading instruments, including 4,500+ equity CFDs and 84 currency pairs, part of 12,000+ assets. Plus500 has notably fewer assets but a well-balanced selection suitable for beginner and advanced traders alike. Beginners should use the demo account and the Trading Academy to gain experience before trading with real capital due to the risks involved. It includes options, supporting more complex strategies.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
1.3 pips0.9 pips ($9.00)
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
1.7 pips1.5 pips ($15.00)
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
-$0.12
Average Trading Cost Gold
-$0.50
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin
-$60.00
Minimum Raw Spreads
Not applicableN/A
Minimum Standard Spreads
Not applicableN/A
Minimum Commission for Forex
Commission-free N/A
Deposit Fee
N/A
Withdrawal Fee
N/A
Inactivity Fee
$10 monthly after 3 months N/A
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City Index advertises lower minimum fees but has higher average costs, while Plus500 features dynamic spreads dependent on market conditions with no minimums. City Index levies equity CFDs commissions with lower swap rates. The currency conversion cost at City Index is 0.50% versus up to 0.70% at Plus500.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator
United Arab Emirates, Australia, Cyprus, Estonia, Israel, New Zealand, Seychelles, Singapore, United Kingdom, South AfricaAustralia, United Kingdom
Name of the Regulator
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MASCySEC, FCA, FSA
Regulatory License Number
509909, 250/14, 417727, 486026, 47546, SD039, 100648-1, NOT AVAILABLE, 4.1-1/18, F005651446717, 345646
Regulatory Tier
N/A1, 1
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Both brokers segregate client deposits from corporate funds and offer negative balance protection. UK-based traders, and select Plus500 jurisdictions, have an investor compensation fund. City Index owner StoneX is a publicly listed US company which has incurred regulatory fines. Plus500 is a publicly listed company in the UK and a constituent of the FTSE250 with a clean regulatory track record.

City Index vs Plus500 – Verdict

City Index

ProsCons
Broad-based asset selection with a focus on equity CFDsNo cryptocurrencies
Competitive proprietary trading platform with excellent research toolsAn above-average cost structure for retail traders
Excellent educational resources and quality researchHigher minimum deposit but within a reasonable range
Trading with unrealized profits and scaled trading + price improvement technology

Plus500

ProsCons
Competitive asset selection of 2,000+ focused on equity and ETF CFDsNo support for algorithmic trading and absence of MT4
Guaranteed stop-loss orders and negative balance protectionHigher minimum deposit but within a reasonable range
A publicly listed company, well-capitalized and trusted
Lightweight webtrader ideal for beginner traders

City Index offers an excellent educational platform and supports algorithmic trading, while Plus500 remains a better choice for manual traders seeking a high-quality execution-only broker. City Index has more assets, but Plus500 offers a more well-balanced selection suitable for most traders.

You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:

FAQs

Is City Index a good broker?

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City Index ranks among the leading brokers with a quality trading environment. Beginner traders can benefit from its excellent educational platform.

Can Plus500 be trusted?

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Plus500 remains a trustworthy broker with a clean regulatory track record since becoming a publicly listed company in the UK.

Is City Index good for day trading?

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City Index offers day traders a competitive trading environment with price improvement technology and deep liquidity.