Alpari 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 61/100).
Alpari, founded in 1998, is a trading name of Parlance Trading Ltd, licensed by the Mwali International Services Authority (an offshore regulator), offering Micro, Standard, ECN and Pro ECN accounts on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and the Alpari app.
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 | Alpari | City Index |
|---|---|---|
| TFB Score | 61/100 | 81/100▲ |
| Regulation & safety | 7/35Strongest licence MISA (tier 3) | 28/35▲1 tier-1 regulator (FCA), investor compensation |
| Fees & costs | 22/25All-in cost from 0.00 pips, no commission | 23/25▲All-in cost from 0.50 pips, no commission |
| Deposits & withdrawals | 16/20Minimum deposit $30 (Micro); $100 (Standard); $300 (ECN); $500 (Pro ECN), 5 deposit methods, 5 withdrawal methods | 19/20▲Minimum 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; leverage up to 1:3000 (ECN and Pro ECN, Parlance Trading Ltd) | 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 | MISA | FCA |
| Minimum deposit | $30 (Micro); $100 (Standard); $300 (ECN); $500 (Pro ECN) | £100 (MT4 account; card deposits £100 or equivalent, bank wire no minimum) |
| Spreads from | 0.0 pips (Pro ECN); 0.8 pips (ECN); 1.2 pips (Standard; Micro from 1.5 pips) | 0.5 pts (MT4 account, variable, as low as 0.5pts; Standard account as low as 0.8pts) |
| Commission | None on Micro, Standard and ECN; Pro ECN forex $2.5 per lot traded | None (MT4 account: none except shares markets; Standard account: none) |
| Max leverage | Up to 1:3000 (ECN and Pro ECN, Parlance Trading Ltd) | 30:1 default leverage (MT4 account, UK retail clients, StoneX Financial Ltd) |
| Platforms | ||
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfers, Debit and credit cards, E-wallets, Local payment methods, Cryptocurrency | Debit card, Credit card, Bank transfer |
| Retail accounts losing money | Not published | 68% |
Facts from each broker's own website and the regulators' registers. Full sources are on each review: Alpari review · City Index review.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers, from the facts shown on this page.
Is Alpari or City Index better?
City Index has the higher TFB Score (81/100 vs 61/100). The best choice depends on your country, platform and payment method.
Are Alpari and City Index regulated?
Alpari: MISA. City Index: FCA. Every licence is linked to the regulator's register on each review.
Which is safer, Alpari or City Index?
Alpari holds no tier-1 licence; 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 Alpari and City Index?
Alpari: $30 (Micro); $100 (Standard); $300 (ECN); $500 (Pro ECN). City Index: £100 (MT4 account; card deposits £100 or equivalent, bank wire no minimum).
Which has tighter spreads, Alpari or City Index?
Published spreads start from 0.0 pips (Pro ECN); 0.8 pips (ECN); 1.2 pips (Standard; Micro from 1.5 pips) at Alpari and 0.5 pts (MT4 account, variable, as low as 0.5pts; Standard account as low as 0.8pts) at City Index; commission: Alpari None on Micro, Standard and ECN; Pro ECN forex $2.5 per lot traded, City Index None (MT4 account: none except shares markets; Standard account: none).
Do Alpari and City Index offer MetaTrader and TradingView?
Both offer MetaTrader 4. Alpari: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Alpari Mobile App. City Index: City Index Web Trader (TradingView charts), MetaTrader 4, TradingView.
What is the maximum leverage at Alpari and City Index?
Alpari: Up to 1:3000 (ECN and Pro ECN, Parlance Trading Ltd). City Index: 30:1 default leverage (MT4 account, UK retail clients, StoneX Financial Ltd). Leverage depends on the company that opens your account and on your country.
More Alpari 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