City Index
Startrader
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
City Index was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in UK, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. City Index serves 14,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $25 at City Index and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | City Index | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $25 | $50 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 1983 | 2011 |
| Country | UK | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 14,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between City Index and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. City Index has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $25 (vs $50 at Startrader). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. City Index applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Startrader does not. City Index charges deposit fees; Startrader does not. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | City Index | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $25 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
City Index offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. City Index offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. City Index edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | City Index | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5 and Web Trader |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how City Index and Startrader compare. Startrader runs regular live webinars; City Index does not. Startrader has a video library; City Index does not. Startrader publishes daily market commentary; City Index does not. Startrader integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); City Index does not. Startrader maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Startrader scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | City Index | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. City Index accepts 3 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal), while Startrader supports 4 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller). City Index uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. Startrader uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. Startrader scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | City Index | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | No |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both City Index and Startrader offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. City Index supports 6 languages and Startrader supports 2, giving City Index broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | City Index | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Spanish, German, Arabic, Polish, and Chinese | English, Chinese |