Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
City Index vs Spreadex
City Index vs Spreadex: the differences
| Compare | City Index ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | £0 |
| Inactivity fee | £12 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Spread betting | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Options, Spread betting |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70% | 61% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK Gambling Commission |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web, Mobile |
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Key differences
- Markets: only City Index offers ETFs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Spreadex offers Options.
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.
Spreadex
Spreadex suits UK traders who want to deal shares without a trade commission, with the same account carrying forex, CFDs, options and spread betting. Regulated in the UK with FSCS investor protection, it ranks 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, which sit at £0.
Score breakdown
| Area | City Index | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Minimum deposit of $0 and No deposit or withdrawal fees, but an inactivity fee of £12 cuts the other way. | 9.4HigherThe minimum deposit is £0, inactivity is $0 and the EUR/USD spread is 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.1 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.4 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | City Index | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | Yes | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | City Index | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 67 of 471 | 82 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 29 of 147 | 34 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 27 of 145 | 32 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 23 of 122 | 26 of 122 |
Licences and countries
| Country | City Index | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Where these facts come from
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
Spreadex
- spreadex.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forexsuggest.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxempire.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxscouts.com.au: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- topbrokers.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | City Index | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Spreadex Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1999 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | City Index | Spreadex | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | £0at the median | £0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 70%below the median | 61%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.6%below the median | 0.65% |
Median across 47 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
Spreadex
Pros
- Shares cost £0 to buy and sell, and the pricing model is commission free and low fees.
- A single account covers stocks, forex and cfds, so shares, forex, CFDs, options and spread betting sit side by side.
- Trading runs on Web and Mobile platforms, and a mobile app is part of the feature set.
Cons
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no live chat or email listed.
- The risk warning puts 61% of retail accounts losing money.
- The market list runs stocks, forex and cfds, with no crypto, funds or bond offering.
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
Spreadex
Who it suits
- UK residents who want to deal shares without a per-trade commission.
- Traders who want forex, CFDs, options and spread betting in the same account.
- Anyone who values a long operating history: Spreadex has run from the UK since 1999.
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage, for anyone who prefers a stated minimum deposit of $5 to a free entry.
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is quoted in dollars at $0.
- Anyone who wants live chat or email support, because Spreadex lists phone and help centre only.
Country by country
| Country | City Index | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
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.
Spreadex
What does it cost to deal shares on Spreadex?+
Stock trades are £0, and the pricing model is listed as commission free and low fees. Spreadex ranks 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, so share dealing sits at the cheaper end of what brokers charge.
Is there a minimum deposit at Spreadex?+
The minimum deposit is £0, so an account can be opened and funded with a small balance. Spreadex ranks 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, worth weighing against brokers that ask for a starter amount.
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