City Index
Charles Schwab
VS
Higher Rated
City Index
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between City Index and Charles Schwab depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. City Index is headquartered in London, UK, while Charles Schwab operates from Westlake, USA. Charles Schwab has the longer track record, established in 1971, compared to City Index which was founded in 1983. This in-depth comparison covers regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and overall ratings to help you decide which broker is the better fit in 2026.
City Index
Charles Schwab
| City Index | Charles Schwab | |
|---|---|---|
| BrokerRank Score | 4.1/5 ✓ | 3.6/5 |
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spread from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips ✓ |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 ✓ | 1:2 |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, MAS ✓ | SEC, CFTC |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MT4 | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
City Index is the better choice overall, scoring 4.1/5 vs 3.6/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, Charles Schwab offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowCity Index
WinnerCharles Schwab
City Index
Charles Schwab
Lower feesCity Index holds licences from FCA, ASIC, MAS. Charles Schwab is regulated by SEC, CFTC.
Both brokers offer access to Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities markets. City Index additionally covers Cfd.
On spreads, Charles Schwab is more competitive with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips, compared to 0.5 pips at City Index.
City Index supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MT4. Charles Schwab offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
City Index requires no minimum deposit, while Charles Schwab sets no minimum deposit. This makes City Index accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores City Index at 4.06/5 and Charles Schwab at 3.56/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. City Index leads overall with a clear advantage.
City Index
4.1/5
Choose City Index if you want…
Charles Schwab
3.6/5
Choose Charles Schwab if you want…
City Index scores higher overall on our independent rating system. City Index holds a 4.1/5 rating vs Charles Schwab's 3.6/5. The best choice ultimately depends on your trading style — see our full verdict above for a detailed breakdown.
City Index offers spreads from 0.5 pips, while Charles Schwab starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
City Index requires a minimum deposit of $0. Charles Schwab requires $0.
City Index is regulated by FCA, ASIC, MAS, while Charles Schwab holds licences from SEC, CFTC.
City Index supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MT4. Charles Schwab supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Yes, you can hold accounts at multiple brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across platforms to access different markets and tools.
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Trading involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Capital at risk. Full risk disclosure.