Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
City Index vs Scope Markets
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
What sets them apart
| Compare | City Index ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Scope Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Spread bettingCovers more | Forex, CFDs |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70% | 73.68% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | No fees on deposits and withdrawals |
| Inactivity fee | £12 | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | MetaTrader 5 |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | Up to 1:1000 |
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Key differences
- Minimum deposit is lower at City Index: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only City Index offers Stocks, ETFs, Crypto.
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.
Scope Markets
For institutions balancing breadth of access against complexity of execution, Scope Markets offers a focused institutional route. It operates as a full service financial boutique for prime brokerage and liquidity through SM Capital Markets Ltd in Cyprus within Rostro Financial Group.
Score breakdown
| Area | City Index | Scope Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherMinimum deposit of $0 and No deposit or withdrawal fees, but an inactivity fee of £12 cuts the other way. | 9.0 |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 8.4 |
What each covers
| Markets | City Index | Scope Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | Yes | No |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | City Index | Scope Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 29 of 147 | 135 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 27 of 145 | 133 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 23 of 122 | 111 of 122 |
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
Scope Markets
- wikifx.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- investfox.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- scopemarkets.eu: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- scopeprime.eu: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | City Index | Scope Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $10below the median | $25 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70%below the median | 73.68%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
Scope Markets
Pros
- Provides prime brokerage and liquidity services for active institutional trading operations
- Connects businesses to global exchanges with algorithmic execution support
- Offers portfolio and asset financing through contracts and share finance structures
Cons
- Centres on complex leveraged instruments that carry high risk of loss
- Institutional focus gives little scope for everyday private investor needs
- Specialist execution and financing tools require professional market knowledge
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
Scope Markets
Who it suits
- Hedge funds managing multi asset exposure
- Brokerages building white label trading propositions
- Institutions hedging exposure across global markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners wanting simple share accounts
- Investors avoiding leveraged derivative products
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.
Scope Markets
What does Scope Prime provide?+
Scope Prime supplies liquidity, technology and risk solutions for participation in global markets. It gives access to world exchanges and liquidity pools with algorithmic execution support. Liquidity streams can be shaped around the risk needs of each business seeking broader coverage.
Who uses Scope Prime services?+
Support is directed toward institutional investors and businesses operating across global markets. Hedge funds and brokers are identified as typical users of the service. Firms that wish to build a white label proposition for their own clients are also included.