ActivTrades vs City Index 2026
By Akash · Facts from the brokers’ own sites, sources linked on each review
City Index has the higher TFB Score (81/100 vs 78/100).
ActivTrades is a multi-entity CFD broker trading since 2001 whose UK entity ActivTrades PLC is FCA-regulated, offering MT4, MT5, ActivTrader and TradingView, with no minimum deposit in most jurisdictions.
69% of retail CFD accounts lose money with this provider.
City Index (now shown as StoneX Trading on its site) is a trading name of StoneX Financial Ltd, regulated by the FCA (446717), offering spread bets and CFDs on its Web Trader with TradingView charts and MT4.
68% of retail CFD accounts lose money with this provider.
Side by side
| Item | ActivTrades | City Index |
|---|---|---|
| TFB Score | 78/100 | 81/100▲ |
| Regulation & safety | 28/351 tier-1 regulator (FCA), investor compensation | 28/351 tier-1 regulator (FCA), investor compensation |
| Fees & costs | 14/25Spreads from 0.5 pips; commission not published | 23/25▲All-in cost from 0.50 pips, no commission |
| Deposits & withdrawals | 20/20▲Minimum deposit No minimum deposit (USD 250 in certain jurisdictions), 6 deposit methods, 6 withdrawal methods | 19/20Minimum deposit £100 (MT4 account; card deposits £100 or equivalent, bank wire no minimum), 3 deposit methods, 3 withdrawal methods |
| Platforms & trading | 16/20▲MT4, MT5, TradingView | 11/20MT4, TradingView; leverage up to 30:1 default leverage (MT4 account, UK retail clients, StoneX Financial Ltd) |
| Trader Score | No trader scores yet | No trader scores yet |
| Regulators | FCA | FCA |
| Minimum deposit | No minimum deposit (USD 250 in certain jurisdictions) | £100 (MT4 account; card deposits £100 or equivalent, bank wire no minimum) |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips (forex CFDs) | 0.5 pts (MT4 account, variable, as low as 0.5pts; Standard account as low as 0.8pts) |
| Commission | Does not charge commissions on most of the products offered (including forex, indices and commodities) | None (MT4 account: none except shares markets; Standard account: none) |
| Max leverage | Not published | 30:1 default leverage (MT4 account, UK retail clients, StoneX Financial Ltd) |
| Platforms | ||
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Crypto | Debit card, Credit card, Bank transfer |
| Retail accounts losing money | 69% | 68% |
Facts from each broker's own website and the regulators' registers. Full sources are on each review: ActivTrades review · City Index review.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers, from the facts shown on this page.
Is ActivTrades or City Index better?
City Index has the higher TFB Score (81/100 vs 78/100). The best choice depends on your country, platform and payment method.
Are ActivTrades and City Index regulated?
ActivTrades: FCA. City Index: FCA. Every licence is linked to the regulator's register on each review.
Which is safer, ActivTrades or City Index?
ActivTrades holds 1 tier-1 licence (FCA); City Index holds 1 (FCA). Tier-1 regulators have the strictest rules on client money. Your protection depends on which company opens your account.
What is the minimum deposit at ActivTrades and City Index?
ActivTrades: No minimum deposit (USD 250 in certain jurisdictions). City Index: £100 (MT4 account; card deposits £100 or equivalent, bank wire no minimum).
Which has tighter spreads, ActivTrades or City Index?
Published spreads start from 0.5 pips (forex CFDs) at ActivTrades and 0.5 pts (MT4 account, variable, as low as 0.5pts; Standard account as low as 0.8pts) at City Index; commission: ActivTrades Does not charge commissions on most of the products offered (including forex, indices and commodities), City Index None (MT4 account: none except shares markets; Standard account: none).
Do ActivTrades and City Index offer MetaTrader and TradingView?
Both offer MetaTrader 4 and TradingView. ActivTrades: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ActivTrader, TradingView. City Index: City Index Web Trader (TradingView charts), MetaTrader 4, TradingView.
How many retail accounts lose money at ActivTrades and City Index?
ActivTrades states 69% and City Index states 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with them.
More ActivTrades comparisons
More City Index comparisons
Forex trading at these brokers is done through CFDs (contracts for difference): you trade on the price moving up or down, without owning the currency itself.Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Read the full risk warning