City Index and eToro are closely matched overall, but diverge on platforms and execution features. The contrast invites a closer look at which aligns with your trading needs.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose City Index if you want MT4/MT5 access and phone support.
Choose if…
Choose eToro if you value multilingual support and social trading features.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Pros
FCA-regulated since 1983, backed by Nasdaq-listed StoneX Group
13,500+ markets including UK spread betting
TradingView integration for chart-based order execution
EUR/USD from 0.5 pips, competitive for a spread-only desk
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | City Index | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Fail | Pass |
City Index and eToro share the same editorial score of 4.2/5. One concrete differentiator: City Index requires a lower minimum deposit.
City Index starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than eToro's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
City Index has no minimum deposit, while eToro requires at least $50. This makes City Index more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both City Index and eToro hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: City Index has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
City Index lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while eToro lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
City Index supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. City Index has exclusive access to TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
City Index offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 1.00 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
City Index wins for long-standing FCA regulation and StoneX backing.
City Index wins for active traders due to MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting.
City Index is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
City Index wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5 plus TradingView.
City Index wins for beginners due to $0 min deposit and protections.
City Index leads for instrument variety with 13,500 markets vs 3,000.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 2007 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Tel Aviv, Israel |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $50 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $12/month (after 12 months) | $10/month (after 12 months)▼ lower |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | USD 5 per withdrawal |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA MAS | ASIC AMF CySEC FCA KNF FSRA MFSA HCMC FSC Finansinspektionen CNB CMA Finanstilsynet MNB FSA Seychelles CMVM Finanstilsynet ASF |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Pros
Social and copy trading leader
Multi-asset (stocks, crypto, FX)
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
Not available to US residents
Proprietary platform visual design lags behind IG and Saxo
Research depth weaker than IG's Reuters/Morningstar environment
No raw spread account option
Support available in limited languages
Cons
Wider FX spreads
Withdrawal fee
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
No phone support
City Index and eToro are closely matched overall, but City Index provides MT4/MT5 and deeper instrument coverage.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
Score 4.2 / 5
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