Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs City Index
CapTrader vs City Index: the differences
| Compare |  CapTrader | City Index ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | £12 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Spread betting |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | No deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 70% |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- City Index scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at City Index: $0 vs $2,000.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Options, Futures, Bonds.
- Markets: only City Index offers Spread betting.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
City Index
City Index suits UK and European retail investors who want one account for shares, ETFs, forex, CFDs, crypto and spread betting without a deposit hurdle. A minimum deposit of $0 and No deposit or withdrawal fees keep entry costs low, though an inactivity fee of £12 makes long dormant accounts costly.
Score breakdown
| Area | CapTrader | City Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 9.1HigherMinimum deposit of $0 and No deposit or withdrawal fees, but an inactivity fee of £12 cuts the other way. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.7Higher |
Feature by feature
| Markets | CapTrader | City Index |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | CapTrader | City Index |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 19 of 471 | 67 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 7 of 147 | 29 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 7 of 145 | 27 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 7 of 122 | 23 of 122 |
What we checked
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
City Index
- fxleaders.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- cityindex.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- topratedforexbrokers.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | City Index |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | City Index | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 70%below the median | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
City Index
Pros
- No deposit barrier at $0, against a site median of €4.64
- No deposit or withdrawal fees keeps moving money on and off the account simple
- One account covers stocks, etfs and forex
Cons
- An inactivity fee of £12 is above the site median of €0
- The inactivity fee rank of 45 out of 56 sits well down the table
- Retail accounts that lose money stand at 70%, so the low entry cost does not reduce trading risk
Who each suits
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
City Index
Who it suits
- Retail investors who hold shares, ETFs, forex, CFDs, crypto and spread betting in one place
- UK and European readers who want no deposit or withdrawal charges
- Traders who will use the account often and avoid the inactivity fee of £12
Who should look elsewhere
- Long term savers who may leave an account dormant and pick up the inactivity fee of £12
- Readers who want a stated regulator and protection scheme, since none is listed for this brand
- eToro buyers chasing futures, which sit in stocks, etfs and forex but not in stocks, etfs and forex
Questions about each
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
City Index
What is the minimum deposit at City Index?+
The minimum deposit is $0, which puts City Index at rank 1 of 213 brands on this measure. That sits below the site median of €4.64, so the account can be opened with a small starting balance.
Does City Index charge for deposits and withdrawals?+
Moving money in and out carries No deposit or withdrawal fees, as listed for this brand. That keeps transfer charges out of the cost picture, though currency conversion on non account currency payments is not covered here.
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