This comparison pits City Index, a long-regulated broad-market broker, against GO Markets, a true ECN specialist. The tension centers on regulation breadth, pricing transparency, and platform choice.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose City Index if you want FCA regulation and access to 13,500+ markets with no inactivity fee.
Choose if…
Choose GO Markets if you prefer true ECN pricing with three platforms, 350 instruments, and multilingual support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 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 | GO 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 GO Markets rates 4/5. City Index 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.
GO 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 GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes City Index more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both City Index and GO 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 GO 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.
GO Markets charges $5 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 GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. City Index has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5.
GO Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.50 pips for City Index, reducing trading costs.
City Index wins for safety and regulation, with FCA oversight and segregated client funds.
GO Markets wins for active traders due to true ECN pricing and three platform options.
GO Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
City Index wins for platform choice, offering TradingView integration and a proprietary platform.
City Index is better for beginners with a $0 minimum deposit.
City Index offers 13,500+ markets, far more than GO Markets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 2006 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Melbourne, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $200 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $5/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.5 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 cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA MAS | ASIC CySEC FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | cTrader MetaTrader 5 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 execution with three platform options
ASIC-regulated with a clean Australian track record since 2006
Competitive $5 round-turn ECN commission
Good for Australia and Asia-Pacific timezone traders
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
$200 minimum deposit is higher than many ECN peers
Less brand recognition outside Australia and Asia-Pacific
CySEC entity is offshore for non-AU clients
No proprietary platform
City Index edges GO Markets on the editorial score due to FCA regulation and a larger instrument universe. GO Markets offers true ECN execution with 350 instruments and three platform options.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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