Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
City Index vs Deriv
City Index vs Deriv: the differences
| Compare | City Index ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $5 |
| Inactivity fee | £12 | $25 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Spread betting | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70% | 74% |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader |
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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 $5.
- Markets: only City Index offers Spread betting.
- Markets: only Deriv offers Bonds.
Our verdict on each
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.
Deriv
Deriv suits beginners and day-traders who want a $0 stock trade fee, a $5 minimum deposit and a demo account to practise on. Most retail accounts here lose money, at 74%, so the cheap entry is not a reason to trade lightly.
Score breakdown
| Area | City Index | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherMinimum deposit of $0 and No deposit or withdrawal fees, but an inactivity fee of £12 cuts the other way. | 8.9An inactivity fee of $25 is the weak spot, against $0 at Vantage. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 8.9 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | City Index | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 67 of 471 | 160 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 29 of 147 | 69 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 27 of 145 | 67 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 23 of 122 | 58 of 122 |
What each covers
| Markets | City Index | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Spread betting | Yes | No |
Sources behind this comparison
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
Deriv
- deriv.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokeranalysis.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxempire.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | City Index | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Day traders, Beginners |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | City Index | Deriv | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $5below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70%below the median | 74%above the median | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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
Deriv
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so no second broker is needed
- demo account, mobile app and crypto covers a demo account and a mobile app alongside Deriv Trader and Deriv MT5
- Built for beginners and day traders (day traders and beginners) rather than experienced traders only
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $25 applies to dormant balances, against $0 at Vantage
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone line or live chat listed
- Deriv reports that 74% of retail accounts lose money, above the 70.15% site median
Who each suits
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
Deriv
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a demo account and a small minimum deposit before going live
- Day-traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account
- Traders already comfortable with charting platforms, since Deriv MT5 is one of the platforms listed (Deriv MT5 and Deriv Trader)
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone leaving money parked for long: Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0
- Traders who want futures in the same account: the markets at eToro, stocks, etfs and forex, include them
- Traders who want the smallest possible entry: CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0
Questions about each
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.
Deriv
What does it cost to open a Deriv account?+
The minimum deposit is $5, so the account opens on a small balance. Stock trades are charged at $0, which sits inside a commission-free model, so no commission is added per trade. Beginners and day traders are the stated audience.
Will I be charged if my account sits idle?+
Yes. Deriv charges an inactivity fee of $25 on an account left unused, which is the main cost trap here. Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0 by comparison, so a dormant balance is cheaper elsewhere. Move money you are not using rather than leaving it parked.