Broker comparison · updated 2026-07-09
IG vs City Index
IG and City Index are both established CFD/forex brokers, but their current fees, platform stacks, and funding rules differ by entity and country.
Our verdict
IG has the edge overall.
IG has the edge on platform breadth and public disclosure, especially for traders who want a bigger menu and clearer account/funding detail across multiple regions. City Index is still a credible mainstream competitor, and its FCA-linked UK offering is workable, but the published public picture is narrower and more region-specific. On costs, both advertise variable spreads and both use inactivity rules, so the practical winner depends on your exact account entity. If you need the broader broker, IG is stronger; if you want a simpler City Index setup in a supported region, City Index can still fit.
IGIG vs City Index at a glance
| IG |
 City Index |
|
|---|---|---|
| Our comparison score | 67.5 / 100 | 63 / 100 |
| Founded | 1974 | 1965 |
| Primary UK regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Platforms | Web, mobile, MT4 | Web Trader, MT4 |
| Minimum deposit | No universal min published | $150 on some accounts |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.8 min / 1.1 avg | 0.5 min / 0.8 avg |
| Inactivity fee | Not universal; varies | $15 after 24 months |
| Deposit fees | No fee if no FX conversion | No extra fee on bank transfer |
| Funding methods | Bank transfer, card | Card, bank transfer, local methods |
marks the stronger side on that row. Key numbers were re-checked on 2026-07-09. Terms differ by legal entity and country — confirm on the broker's own legal pages before funding.
Score breakdown
How IG and City Index earn their comparison scores, component by component — same methodology as every review on this site.
IG vs City Index fees: spreads, deposit rules, and inactivity
IG publishes a tighter headline EUR/USD spread on its forex product pages, with a 0.8 minimum and 1.1 average in one current table, while City Index shows 0.5 minimum and 0.8 average on a Singapore pricing page. That makes the spread comparison mixed rather than one-sided, because the result depends on the legal entity and market. IG’s UK help pages say bank transfers have no minimum, while card deposits vary by currency, with USD card deposits starting at $50. City Index’s public materials show a $150 minimum for some account types, including an MT4 account in Australia. Both brokers also charge inactivity fees on some entities: City Index states $15 after 24 months of inactivity, and IG’s account-funding pages emphasize regional variation rather than one universal rule.
IG vs City Index platforms: breadth versus simplicity
IG lists a broader platform stack in the current material reviewed here, including web, mobile, and MT4 in supported regions. Its account pages also separate CFD, spread-betting, and share-dealing functionality, which suggests a wider product ecosystem. City Index is more compact on the public pages checked for this comparison: Web Trader and MT4 are the main platforms highlighted. For traders who want a straightforward two-platform choice, City Index is easy to understand. For traders who want more ways to segment products or compare execution and account types inside one brand, IG has the clearer advantage. The practical caveat is the same for both firms: platform availability can differ by jurisdiction, so the legal entity behind the account matters before you fund.
IG vs City Index regulation: both FCA-linked, but not identical
Both brokers are tied to UK FCA oversight in the primary entity context, but IG’s current public trail is broader. IG’s FCA register material and legal pages show IG Markets Limited as a UK company, while IG also operates through other regional entities, making jurisdiction checks essential. City Index also presents FCA-linked UK disclosures, but the public footprint reviewed here is more focused on its UK/selected regional structure. That does not make City Index weaker in absolute terms; it means the comparison is less about a simple safety ranking and more about how much legal structure is disclosed and how many entities you may encounter. For either broker, protections, leverage limits, and client-money treatment depend on the exact entity, so the account-opening country should be confirmed before any deposit.
IG vs City Index funding: minimums and payment methods
IG’s help center states that bank transfers have no minimum deposit and that card minimums vary by currency, with USD card deposits starting at $50 on one current page. It also says IG does not charge for deposits or withdrawals when no currency conversion is involved. City Index’s public pages show a $150 minimum deposit for some account types, and its funding pages list card and bank transfer support, plus local methods in some jurisdictions. That means IG is easier to start with in some regions, while City Index has a more explicit minimum on at least one account path. Neither firm should be treated as globally uniform: funding rules, accepted currencies, and third-party payment restrictions can change by legal entity and country.
IG vs City Index research: enough for active traders, but different depth
IG’s current help and pricing pages make it easier to inspect spreads, commissions, and account charges directly, which helps with pre-trade cost checking. City Index also publishes spreads and charges, including inactivity wording and sample FX pricing, but the public materials found here are more uneven across regional sites. For active traders, that matters because research and pricing transparency are not just marketing points; they affect order planning and position sizing. IG’s pages also point to live data and funding-cost treatment by market, while City Index publishes historical average-spread framing for variable spreads. The result is a slight edge for IG on day-to-day research usability, though both remain CFD/leveraged-product brokers where product complexity and account-specific terms still require careful reading.
Which broker fits you
- You want broader platform choice and more public legal disclosure
- You prefer lower published entry friction in some regions
- You want a broker with more clearly documented account/funding pages
- You want a simpler Web Trader plus MT4 setup
- You are opening an account in a region where City Index terms fit better
- You value a straightforward minimum-deposit rule on a supported account type
Common questions
Is IG cheaper than City Index for EUR/USD?
Not always. The current pages reviewed show IG at 0.8 minimum and 1.1 average on one forex table, while City Index shows 0.5 minimum and 0.8 average on a regional pricing page. The cheaper option depends on the entity, account type, and the exact market conditions at trade time.
Does City Index have a lower minimum deposit than IG?
Sometimes City Index is more explicit, but not necessarily lower. A current City Index page shows a $150 minimum for some account types, including MT4 in Australia. IG says there is no universal minimum, and its card minimums vary by currency, with no minimum for bank transfers on the UK help page.
Are IG and City Index both FCA regulated?
Yes, both are linked to FCA oversight in the UK context. That said, FCA authorization does not make the two brokers interchangeable, because the exact legal entity, product permissions, and client protections can differ by country. Check the specific account entity before funding.
Which is better for platforms, IG or City Index?
IG has the broader platform mix in the material reviewed here, with web, mobile, and MT4 in supported regions. City Index is more compact, centering on Web Trader and MT4. If you want more choice across account types and products, IG is the stronger fit.