City Index and Hantec Markets clash on regulation, costs and platforms, with instrument breadth and pricing as the central tension.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose City Index if you want 13,500+ markets and a proprietary trading platform.
Choose if…
Choose Hantec Markets if you want raw spreads from 0 pips and multilingual support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 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 | Hantec 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 | Fail |
| 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 Hantec Markets rates 4.1/5. 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.
Hantec 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.
Neither City Index nor Hantec Markets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both City Index and Hantec 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
City Index lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Hantec 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.
Hantec 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 Hantec Markets supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. City Index has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView. Hantec Markets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Hantec Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.50 pips for City Index, reducing trading costs.
City Index leads on safety and regulation with FCA, ASIC and MAS oversight.
Hantec Markets suits active traders with raw spreads and high leverage.
Hantec Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
City Index wins for platform choice with a proprietary platform plus MT4/MT5.
Hantec Markets is better for beginners due to no inactivity fee.
City Index offers broad instrument variety with 13,500+ markets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| 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 card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA MAS | JFSA FCA FSA Seychelles |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | 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
FCA (502635) and JFSA dual regulation - rare combination at retail level
No minimum deposit on Professional ECN account
Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips at $6 round-turn commission
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
Strong Japanese-language service infrastructure for East Asian traders
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
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
Limited brand recognition outside Japan and the UK
No cTrader or TradingView integration
Research and educational content minimal
MT4 and MT5 only - no alternative platforms
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
City Index and Hantec Markets are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is instrument breadth, with City Index offering 13,500+ markets, while Hantec Markets has about 300.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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