Market sessions
Sydney
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London
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Market status
Verified 2026 data

IC Markets vs City Index

An in-depth comparison to help you choose the right broker for your trading journey.

1:1Head to Head
RealTesting
2026Updated
CATEGORY WINS

Who Wins Each Category?

Our scores for IC Markets and City Index, side by side, across the categories that decide your costs and safety.

FeesIC Markets: 4.9/5vsCity Index: 3.9/5IC Markets wins
SafetyIC Markets: 4.5/5vsCity Index: 4.7/5City Index wins
PlatformsIC Markets: 4.7/5vsCity Index: 4.4/5IC Markets wins
EducationIC Markets: 3.5/5vsCity Index: 4.2/5City Index wins
Customer SupportIC Markets: 4.2/5vsCity Index: 4.1/5IC Markets wins
QUICK VERDICT

Who Wins?

IC Markets wins on overall score (4.6/5 vs 4.2/5). IC Markets is the pick if you value high-volume traders; choose City Index if you value uk spread bettors. The tables below show where each actually wins.

Who this is for: IC Markets suits traders who prioritise high-volume traders; City Index suits traders who prioritise uk spread bettors.

4.6/5
Best for: High-volume traders
Visit IC MarketsRead the IC Markets Review
VS
4.2/5
Best for: UK spread bettors
Visit City IndexRead the City Index Review
HEAD-TO-HEAD

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature
Overall Rating
4.6/5
4.2/5
Minimum Deposit
$200
£100
Spreads From
0.0 pips
0.5 pips
Max Leverage
Up to 500:1
Up to 30:1 (EU)
Instruments
2,250+
13,500+
Fees Score
4.9/5
3.9/5
Platforms Score
4.7/5
4.4/5
Education Score
3.5/5
4.2/5
Safety Score
4.5/5
4.7/5
Platforms
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView
City Index Platform, MetaTrader 4, TradingView
Founded
2007
1983
Headquarters
Sydney, Australia
London, United Kingdom
KEY DIFFERENCES

What Actually Differs

The numbers that matter when choosing between IC Markets and City Index.

Minimum depositIC Markets: $200City Index: £100City Index needs less to start.
RegulatorsIC Markets: 3 (ASIC, CySEC)...City Index: 2 (FCA, ASIC)IC Markets is licensed in more jurisdictions.
InstrumentsIC Markets: 2,250+City Index: 13,500+City Index offers more markets.
PlatformsIC Markets: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTraderCity Index: City Index Platform, MetaTrader 4, TradingViewBoth support MetaTrader 4, TradingView.
Best forIC Markets: High-volume tradersCity Index: UK spread bettorsDifferent fits. Read the verdict below.
ANALYSIS

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • + Industry-leading raw spreads from 0.0 pips
  • + True ECN execution with no dealing desk
  • + $1 trillion+ monthly trading volume
  • + Multiple platforms including TradingView
  • + Excellent for high-frequency and algo trading
  • + Deep institutional liquidity

Cons

  • - $200 minimum deposit
  • - Limited educational content
  • - No proprietary platform
  • - Basic research tools
Open IC Markets Account

Pros

  • + 40+ years established
  • + FCA regulated
  • + Spread betting (tax-free UK)
  • + TradingView integration
  • + Extensive markets

Cons

  • - UK/AU focused
  • - Higher spreads on some assets
  • - No cryptocurrency trading
Open City Index Account
RECOMMENDATION

Which Broker Should You Choose?

Choose

If you:

  • High-volume traders
  • Scalpers
  • Algorithmic traders
  • Professional traders
Visit IC Markets
Choose

If you:

  • UK spread bettors
  • Experienced traders
  • Index traders
Visit City Index
FAQ

IC Markets vs City Index: FAQ

Which is better, IC Markets or City Index?

Overall, IC Markets scores 4.6/5 and City Index scores 4.2/5. The right pick depends on what you value: IC Markets for high-volume traders, City Index for uk spread bettors.

Which is cheaper, IC Markets or City Index?

On our fees score, IC Markets is 4.9/5 and City Index is 3.9/5. IC Markets advertises spreads from 0.0 pips, City Index from 0.5 pips. Check the fee rows above for the full picture, because headline spreads are not the bill.

Which is safer, IC Markets or City Index?

IC Markets holds 3 licence(s), including ASIC, CySEC, FSA. City Index holds 2 licence(s), including FCA, ASIC. More Tier 1 regulators means more client protection schemes. Verify any licence at the regulator register before depositing.

Which has more markets, IC Markets or City Index?

IC Markets offers 2,250+, City Index offers 13,500+. Choose the range that covers what you actually trade.

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