City Index
FCA
CMC Markets
BaFin/FCA
City Index vs CMC Markets
Head-to-Head Comparison 2026
Our Verdict
CMC Markets has a higher rating of 4.3/5 compared to City Index (4.1/5). The minimum deposit is lower at CMC Markets with 0 €. CMC Markets is BaFin-regulated, while City Index is supervised by FCA. City Index has been in the market since 1983, making it the more experienced provider. On spreads, City Index offers EUR/USD from 0.5 pip (typical), while CMC Markets offers EUR/USD from 0.7 pip (typical).
Comparison Table
| Criteria | City Index | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 (800 reviews) | 4.3/5 (1400 reviews)✓ |
| Regulation | FCA | BaFin/FCA |
| Fees | Spreads from 0.5 pip on forex, no commission on standard account | Spreads from 0.7 pip on forex, no commission on standard account |
| Min. Deposit | 150 € | 0 € |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, Crypto | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, Treasuries |
| Platforms | City Index Web Trader, MT4, City Index App | Next Generation, MT4, CMC Mobile |
| Options Trading | No, CFDs and spread betting | No, CFDs and spread betting |
| Spread (typical) | EUR/USD from 0.5 pip (typical) | EUR/USD from 0.7 pip (typical) |
| Execution Speed | — | ~30 ms |
| Inactivity Fee | $15/month after 12 months of inactivity | £10/month after 12 months of inactivity |
| Founded | 1983 | 1989 |
| Headquarters | London | London |
Detailed Comparison
Fee Comparison
City Index: Spreads from 0.5 pip on forex, no commission on standard account. Minimum deposit: 150 €. Spread: EUR/USD from 0.5 pip (typical). Inactivity fee: $15/month after 12 months of inactivity.
CMC Markets: Spreads from 0.7 pip on forex, no commission on standard account. Minimum deposit: 0 €. Spread: EUR/USD from 0.7 pip (typical). Inactivity fee: £10/month after 12 months of inactivity.
Execution Quality
City Index
No data available
CMC Markets
Execution: ~30 ms
Product Range
City Index (6 categories)
CMC Markets (6 categories)
Trading Platforms
City Index
- City Index Web Trader
- MT4
- City Index App
CMC Markets
- Next Generation
- MT4
- CMC Mobile
Regulation & Security
City Index is regulated by FCA (HQ: London).
CMC Markets is regulated by BaFin/FCA (HQ: London).
Who Is It For?
City Index
Established CFD broker with over 40 years of market presence
✓ Long-standing experience since 1983
✓ Tight spreads from 0.5 pip
✓ FCA-regulated
✗ No BaFin regulation
✗ Minimum deposit €150
CMC Markets
Award-winning Next Generation platform with over 12,000 products
✓ Award-winning Next Generation platform
✓ Over 12,000 CFD products
✓ BaFin-regulated
✗ Only CFD trading, no real stocks
✗ Inactivity fee after 12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City Index or CMC Markets cheaper?
Which broker offers more products: City Index or CMC Markets?
Which broker is better regulated?
Is City Index or CMC Markets better for beginners?
City Index vs CMC Markets: Which broker is better overall?
How do spreads compare between City Index and CMC Markets?
Do City Index or CMC Markets charge an inactivity fee?
City Index
Established CFD broker with over 40 years of market presence
Open Account →From 150 € min. deposit
CMC Markets
Award-winning Next Generation platform with over 12,000 products
Open Account →From 0 € min. deposit