City Index Review 2026

The heritage factor matters more than most traders realise. 40 years of continuous operation demonstrates sustainable business practices through multiple market crises — the dot-com crash, 2008 financial crisis, COVID volatility, and everything between. Being owned by StoneX Group (NASDAQ: SNEX) provides a level of financial security comparable to Fortune 500 companies, with full SEC oversight and public accountability that privately-held brokers simply cannot match.

City Index positions itself as the "professional trader's choice" — competing not on headline spreads or flashy marketing, but on platform quality and research depth. The TradingView integration represents a genuine competitive advantage that remains rare among FCA-regulated brokers. Most competitors offer MT4/MT5 and their own proprietary platform; City Index adds TradingView direct execution on top of that.

The broker particularly suits three trader profiles: UK residents wanting tax-free spread betting combined with professional-grade tools, TradingView enthusiasts seeking direct execution without leaving their preferred charting environment, and experienced traders who prioritise research quality and institutional-grade safety over the absolute lowest spreads.

The EUR/USD spread from 0.5 pips is competitive for an FCA-regulated broker. When you compare all-in costs — including commissions, platform fees, and data charges — City Index often works out similar to discount brokers who claim tighter spreads but then charge commissions on top. It's the total cost that matters, not the headline number.

Where City Index genuinely excels is indices. The UK 100 from 0.8 points and Wall Street from 1.0 points are among the tightest spreads available for spread betting. Add 24-hour index trading and you have a flexibility that most competitors simply don't offer. Share CFDs come with a 0.08% commission (minimum £10), slightly below IG's 0.1% — competitive for active share traders.

The £12 monthly inactivity fee only applies after 12 consecutive months with zero trading activity. One trade per year avoids it entirely. For active traders, this is irrelevant. For UK spread bettors, the tax savings on profits make City Index cost-effective despite any marginal spread differences. A profitable trader saving £10,000+ annually in capital gains tax easily covers whatever spread differentials exist. Factor in the free TradingView integration (TradingView Pro costs £165/year separately) and the total value proposition strengthens further.

The ability to execute trades directly from TradingView is both rare and genuinely valuable. TradingView's charting is widely considered the best in the retail space, but most users have to manually transfer signals to their broker — introducing delays, errors, and friction. City Index eliminates that entirely. Draw your trendlines, set your alerts, build your Pine Script strategies, and execute without ever leaving TradingView. It's seamless in a way that competitors haven't matched.

The proprietary web platform is genuinely comprehensive — not merely adequate. Charting capabilities are extensive, research integration is seamless with real-time market analysis and trading signals built directly into the interface. For traders who want everything in one place — execution, research, analysis, and account management — it delivers. The platform has won multiple industry awards, and having used it extensively, those awards are deserved.

City Index offers MT4 but notably not MT5. For most retail traders, this is a non-issue — the vast majority of Expert Advisors and custom indicators are MT4-based, and MT4 remains the industry standard for automated trading. However, traders specifically wanting MT5's additional features like depth of market or MT5-only strategies will need to look elsewhere. The mobile apps are polished and fully functional, with biometric login for convenience and robust charting tools that make genuine on-the-go trading practical rather than just possible.

City Index isn't for everyone, and that's by design. The platform depth and professional tools may overwhelm complete beginners who'd be better served by simpler interfaces. The £12 monthly inactivity fee requires at least annual trading activity. The limited cryptocurrency selection (approximately 10 coins) will disappoint traders wanting extensive digital asset access. And the absence of social or copy trading features rules it out for those who rely on following other traders.

For UK spread bettors specifically, the tax savings alone justify City Index. Profitable traders save thousands annually in capital gains tax — over a career, this easily amounts to six figures of tax savings that dwarf any spread differentials with cheaper brokers. Add the free TradingView integration (worth £165/year if purchased separately), professional research that rivals standalone services, and the unmatched safety of StoneX corporate backing, and City Index delivers genuine value that goes well beyond the headline spread.

The 4.2/5 rating reflects exceptional safety (4.7), strong platforms (4.4), and comprehensive research (4.3), balanced against slightly above-average costs (3.9) and limited crypto options. They excel at their core focus — professional spread betting and CFD trading for serious UK traders — while accepting they're not competing for beginner market share or crypto enthusiasts. That clarity of purpose is, in itself, a strength.