Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
City Index vs Markets.com
City Index vs Markets.com: the differences
| Compare | City Index ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $100 |
| Inactivity fee | £12 | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Spread betting | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread bettingCovers more |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70% | 72.4% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Minimum deposit is lower at City Index: $0 vs $100.
- Markets: only Markets.com 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.
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
Score breakdown
| Area | City Index | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherMinimum deposit of $0 and No deposit or withdrawal fees, but an inactivity fee of £12 cuts the other way. | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.7 | 9.7 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.9 |
How they place
| Ranking | City Index | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 67 of 471 | 49 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 29 of 147 | 19 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 27 of 145 | 17 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 23 of 122 | 15 of 122 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | City Index | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Spread betting | Yes | Yes |
What we checked
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
Markets.com
- markets.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wecomparebrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- commodity.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investingreviews.co.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | City Index | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | City Index | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $100above the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70%below the median | 72.4%above the median | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6%above the median | 0.45% |
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
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $0
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
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
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.
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
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