Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
City Index vs Saxo
What sets them apart
| Compare | City Index ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Saxo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | CHF 0 |
| Inactivity fee | £12 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Spread betting | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70% | 64% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $1 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.25% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $2 |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | SaxoInvestor, SaxoTrader |
| Account types | Not confirmed | Joint, Corporate |
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Key differences
- Markets: only City Index offers Crypto, Spread betting.
- Markets: only Saxo offers Options, Futures, 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.
Saxo
Saxo suits investors who want a Danish bank with no account or inactivity charge and a wide market list, but the stock trade fee is $1 and the FX fee is 0.25%. Costs stay predictable for long holders, less so for frequent traders.
Score breakdown
| Area | City Index | Saxo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Minimum deposit of $0 and No deposit or withdrawal fees, but an inactivity fee of £12 cuts the other way. | 9.1Account fee and inactivity fee are both €0 and €0, and the minimum deposit is CHF 0. Stock trades cost $1. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.5 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | City Index | Saxo |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | City Index | Saxo |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 67 of 471 | 78 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 29 of 147 | 33 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 27 of 145 | 31 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 23 of 122 | 25 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | City Index | Saxo |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Saxo Bank A/S |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Denmark |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1992 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | City Index | Saxo | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0at the median | €0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70%below the median | 64%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.25%below the median | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $2highest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 91 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
Saxo
Pros
- Account fee and inactivity fee are both €0 and €0
- Minimum deposit is CHF 0 and deposits and withdrawals carry no charge
- Regulated in Denmark by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority and in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority
Cons
- Stock trade fee of $1 sits well above the site median of €0
- FX fee of 0.25% applies on top of trading costs
- Investor protection is limited to the EU scheme at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000
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
Saxo
Who it suits
- Investors holding stocks and ETFs long term who want no account or inactivity charge
- Traders who need forex, options, futures and CFDs on one account
- Joint and corporate account holders
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners wanting commission-free share dealing, where eToro charges $0 per trade
- Small-balance traders unwilling to meet the Vantage minimum deposit of $5
- Frequent currency converters put off by the 0.25% FX fee
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.
Saxo
What does Saxo charge to hold an account?+
The account fee is €0 and the inactivity fee is €0, so there is no annual or dormancy charge. Saxo ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee. That makes it a straightforward choice for long-term holdings.
How much does it cost to buy a stock?+
Stock trades cost $1 through Saxo. That places it at 107 of 161 on this measure, and above the site median of €0. Active share traders should weigh that before opening.
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