Brokers Profile
Reviewed by Experts Updated 10/9/2026

City Index vs Revolut Trading: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

City Index and Revolut Trading serve very different kinds of investors, one a veteran multi-asset CFD and forex broker, the other a mobile-first investing app bolted onto a fintech super-app. Our research puts City Index ahead overall with a 4.1/5 rating against Revolut Trading's 3.3/5, though Revolut Trading claws back ground on raw spread pricing.

OVERALL WINNER
CI

City Index

4.1 / 5Score: 2 / 3

A four-decade-old multi-asset powerhouse offering deep regulation and genuine platform choice for serious traders.

Min deposit
$0
Max leverage
1:200
Spread from
0.5 pips
Regulators
FCA, ASIC, MAS
RT

Revolut Trading

3.3 / 5Score: 1 / 3

A fintech-native investing app delivering ultra-tight spreads straight from the Revolut banking ecosystem.

Min deposit
$0
Max leverage
1:5
Spread from
0 pips
Regulators
FCA, CySEC
Overall Winner
City Index
Best for Beginners
City Index
Lowest Fees
Revolut Trading
Top Regulation
City Index

Side-by-side comparison

Core features compared head-to-head.

Feature
CI
City Index
RT
Revolut Trading
Overview
Rating4.1 / 53.3 / 5
Founded19832018
HeadquartersLondon, UKLondon, UK
RegulationFCA, ASIC, MASFCA, CySEC
Fees & Limits
Min Deposit$0$0
Spreads From0.5 pips0 pips
CommissionNoneNone
Max Leverage1:2001:5
Platforms & Markets
Trading PlatformsProprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MT4Revolut App
Markets OfferedCfd, Forex, Stocks, Indices, CommoditiesStocks, Etf, Crypto, Commodities

Trading & non-trading fees

Min Deposit

City Index

$0

Revolut Trading

$0

Spreads From

City Index

0.5 pips

Revolut Trading

0 pips

Commission

City Index

None

Revolut Trading

None

Deposit Fees

City Index

None

Revolut Trading

None

Withdrawal Fees

City Index

None

Revolut Trading

None

Pros & cons

CI

City Index

Pros

  • Backed by three tier-1 regulators for stronger fund safety
  • Offers leverage up to 1:200, well above many mobile-first rivals
  • Supports MT4 alongside proprietary platforms for flexibility
  • Covers five distinct market categories for diversified trading
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees on either direction
  • Long operating track record dating back to 1983
  • Zero minimum deposit lowers the entry barrier

Cons

  • Spreads from 0.5 pips are higher than Revolut Trading's headline pricing
  • No cryptocurrency market access unlike its competitor
  • Proprietary platforms require a learning curve for newcomers
  • Higher leverage increases risk exposure for inexperienced traders
RT

Revolut Trading

Pros

  • Tightest headline spreads in this comparison starting from 0 pips
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees charged
  • Zero minimum deposit required to start investing
  • Seamless integration with everyday Revolut banking features
  • Simple, beginner-friendly single-app experience

Cons

  • Only two regulatory licences compared to City Index's three
  • Maximum leverage capped at just 1:5
  • No MT4 or desktop platform support whatsoever
  • No dedicated forex market access listed
  • Narrower four-category market selection

Our expert verdict

Editor's verdict

Overall winner City Index
Lowest fees Revolut Trading
Best regulation City Index
Better for beginners City Index

City Index is our recommended pick overall, scoring 4.1/5 versus Revolut Trading's 3.3/5 on our proprietary rating system. It wins on regulatory depth (FCA, ASIC, MAS versus FCA, CySEC), leverage ceiling (1:200 vs 1:5), platform choice, and market breadth. Revolut Trading remains a credible alternative purely on pricing, with spreads from 0 pips versus City Index's 0.5 pips, making it worth a look for cost-focused casual investors who don't need CFDs or forex leverage.

Regulation & Safety

City Index operates under the oversight of three tier-1 regulators: the FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia, and MAS in Singapore. That kind of multi-jurisdictional licensing is typically reserved for larger, more established brokers with the compliance infrastructure to satisfy multiple strict regulatory regimes simultaneously.

Revolut Trading, by comparison, is regulated by the FCA and CySEC. While both are respected regulators, CySEC is generally viewed as a lighter-touch framework than ASIC or MAS, meaning Revolut Trading's overall regulatory footprint is comparatively thinner.

For traders who prioritize fund safety and broker longevity, City Index's founding year of 1983 versus Revolut Trading's 2018 launch is also a meaningful data point. Decades of uninterrupted regulatory compliance carry weight that a newer fintech entrant simply hasn't had time to establish.

Fees, Spreads & Commissions

This is the one category where Revolut Trading pulls ahead. It advertises spreads starting from 0 pips, undercutting City Index's quoted spread from of 0.5 pips. Neither broker charges a trading commission on top of spreads.

Both platforms also share identical policies on account costs: no deposit fees, no withdrawal fees, and a $0 minimum deposit requirement, so the barrier to entry is equally low on both sides.

That said, spread headline figures don't tell the whole story. City Index's 0.5 pip starting spread applies across a much wider range of instruments including forex, indices, and commodities, whereas Revolut Trading's pricing structure is built around its simplified stock, ETF, and crypto investing experience rather than leveraged CFD or forex trading.

Trading Platforms & Technology

City Index gives traders a genuine choice of three platforms: its own Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the industry-standard MT4. This flexibility suits everyone from casual mobile traders to algorithmic and automated strategy users who rely on MT4's Expert Advisor ecosystem.

Revolut Trading, in contrast, is accessible exclusively through the Revolut App. There's no desktop terminal, no MT4 compatibility, and no dedicated charting workstation, which limits its appeal to traders who need advanced technical analysis tools or automation.

For hands-on chartists and active day traders, City Index's platform depth is a clear structural advantage. For passive investors who just want quick, app-based access alongside their everyday banking, Revolut Trading's single-app simplicity is arguably a feature rather than a flaw.

Market Access & Instruments

City Index covers CFDs, forex, stocks, indices, and commodities, a genuinely diversified five-category spread that supports both directional speculation and broader portfolio-style investing.

Revolut Trading offers stocks, ETFs, crypto, and commodities, four categories that skew toward buy-and-hold retail investing and cryptocurrency exposure rather than leveraged short-term trading.

Crucially, City Index supports forex trading with leverage up to 1:200, while Revolut Trading caps leverage at just 1:5 and does not list forex as a core tradable market. Active forex and CFD traders will find City Index far better equipped for their needs.

Our Verdict

Weighing regulation, platform choice, leverage, and market breadth against Revolut Trading's narrower pricing advantage, City Index comes out on top with a 4.1/5 rating versus 3.3/5. It's simply the more complete package for serious forex and CFD traders.

Revolut Trading isn't a bad broker, it's just a different product aimed at a different audience. Its tight 0 pip spreads and seamless integration with the Revolut banking app make it a sensible secondary account for casual stock and crypto investors.

Our recommendation: choose City Index if you want depth of regulation, platform variety, and access to leveraged forex and CFD markets. Choose Revolut Trading only if you're already embedded in the Revolut ecosystem and your needs are limited to simple stock, ETF, or crypto investing.

Verdict summary

The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.

Editor's verdict

City Index wins overall

City Index edges out Revolut Trading overall based on our expert rating score.

CI

Highest Rated

City Index

4.1 / 5 / 5

Visit City Index

Category winners

  • Overall winner

    Based on overall expert rating (4.1/5).

    City Index
  • Better for beginners

    Stronger onboarding and educational resources.

    City Index
  • Lower trading costs

    More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.

    Revolut Trading
  • Stronger regulation

    Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.

    City Index

Frequently asked questions

Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

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