City Index versus Plus500

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.

Features and Platforms

Features & PlatformsPlus 500 (visit site)City Index (visit site)
Headquarter:Israel, UKUK
Established :
20081983
Retail Loss Rate:
82.0%73.0%
Regulation:
CySEC, FCA, ASIC, FMA, FSCA, MAS
Minimum Deposit:
$100$100
Demo Account:
Managed Account:
Islamic Account:
Inactivity Fee
$10 monthly after three months$15 monthly after twelve months
Deposit Fee:
Withdrawal Fee
Third-PartyThird-Party
Funding Methods:
53
MT4:
MT5:
cTrader:
Proprietary Platform:
Automated Trading:
Yes (MT4 only)
Social / Copy Trading:
Yes (MT4 only)
MT4/MT5 Add-ons:
Guaranteed Stop Loss:
Negative Balance Protection:
Bonuses and Promotions:
Unique Feature One:
Broad asset selectionQuality research and education
Unique Feature Two:
User-friendly trading platformCutting-edge proprietary trading platform
Broker Offers:
82% of retail CFD accounts lose money
.

Available Markets

Available MarketsPlus500City Index
Currency Pairs:YesYes
Cryptocurrency Pairs:
YesNo
Commodities and Metals:
YesYes
Index CFDs:
YesYes
Equity CFDs:
YesYes
Bonds:
NoYes
ETFs:
YesYes
Options, Futures, and Synthetics:
YesYes
Maximum Retail Leverage:
1:301:30
Maximum Pro Leverage:
1:301:400

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

Typical Spreads & FeesPlus500City Index
Minimum Raw Spreads:
Not applicableNot applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads:
No minimum spreads0.5 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex:
Commission-freeCommission-free
Commission for CFDs/DMA:
Commission-free0.08% with a $10 minimum
Commission Rebates:
Not applicableYes
Execution Type:
Market MakerMarket Maker

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

City Index

Country of the RegulatorName of the RegulatorLicense Number
UK
Financial Conduct AuthorityRegister Number 446717

Plus500

Country of the RegulatorName of the RegulatorLicense Number
United Kingdom
Financial Conduct AuthorityLicense Number FRN 509909
Cyprus
Cyprus Securities and Exchange CommissionLicense Number 250/14
Australia
Australian Securities and Investments CommissionAFSL Number 417727
New Zealand
Financial Markets AuthorityFSP Number 486026
South Africa
Financial Sector Conduct AuthorityAFSP Number 47546
SingaporeMonetary Authority of SingaporeLicense Number CMS100648-1

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?

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?

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?

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

Most Visited Forex Broker Reviews