Two established brokers face off on regulation, costs and tools. City Index offers MT4 and TradingView with 13,500+ markets, while Plus500 emphasizes a simple proprietary platform.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose City Index if you want MT4/MT5 and TradingView alongside access to 13,500+ markets.
Choose if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer zero-commission trades on a simple proprietary platform.
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▲ | 4.2 / 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 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 |
The scores are close: City Index rates 4.2/5 and Plus500 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.
City Index starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than Plus500's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
City Index has no minimum deposit, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes City Index more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both City Index and Plus500 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 Plus500 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 Plus500 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 0.60 pips for Plus500, reducing trading costs.
Plus500 has multiple regulators (FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS, CMA), offering broader regulatory coverage.
City Index offers MT4/MT5 and TradingView with 13,500+ markets for active traders.
City Index is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
City Index provides MT4/MT5, proprietary web/mobile, and TradingView integration.
Plus500 provides a simple, zero-commission platform suited for beginners.
City Index offers 13,500+ markets, far more than Plus500.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 2008 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Haifa, Israel |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $12/month (after 12 months) | $10/month (after 3 months)▼ lower |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA MAS | ASIC CySEC FCA MAS CMA |
|---|
| 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
LSE-listed providing strong institutional credibility
Zero commission on all trades
Intuitive proprietary platform with a clean mobile app
Negative balance protection across all accounts
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
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
No MT4 or MT5 support
Limited research tools and market analysis
US residents not accepted
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
City Index outperforms Plus500 on the editorial score and broader platform options.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker