City Index and FP Markets face off on regulation, pricing, and platform depth. The axis pits safety and transparency against raw spreads and platform breadth, keeping you guessing what wins.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose City Index if you want a $0 min deposit and access to a proprietary platform.
Choose if…
Choose FP Markets if you want true ECN pricing from 0.0 pips and access to MT4/MT5 and cTrader.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 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 | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: City Index rates 4.2/5 and FP Markets rates 4.5/5. FP Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
FP Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than City Index's 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
City Index has no minimum deposit, while FP Markets requires at least $100. This makes City Index more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both City Index and FP Markets 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 FP Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FP Markets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for City Index are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
City Index supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while FP Markets supports IRESS, cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide TradingView and MetaTrader 4. City Index has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. FP Markets has exclusive access to IRESS and cTrader and MetaTrader 5.
FP Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.50 pips for City Index, reducing trading costs.
City Index is favored for safety and regulation with FCA backing plus ASIC and MAS oversight.
FP Markets wins for active traders with true ECN pricing from 0.0 pips and multiple platforms.
FP Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
FP Markets wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and IRESS.
City Index wins for beginners with $0 min deposit and accessible proprietary platform.
City Index offers 13,500+ instruments versus FP Markets 10,000.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 2005 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Sydney, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $12/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA MAS | ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | IRESS cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| 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
True ECN pricing from 0.0 pips + $6 round-turn commission
Supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader, all three major platforms
IRESS platform for direct-access share CFD trading
Strong ASIC and CySEC regulation
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
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
IRESS platform has a monthly fee for lower-volume traders
Customer support primarily oriented toward Australian trading hours
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
FP Markets edges City Index on the editorial score, 4.5 vs 4.2. It offers true ECN pricing from 0.0 pips with $6/lot, while City Index has spreads from 0.5 pips and no raw-spread option.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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