City Index Alternative: Why Traders Switch to LHFX

City Index is a StoneX Group broker founded in 1983, focused on UK and Australian retail CFDs at 1:30 leverage. If you want higher leverage and an MT5 ECN account, here is how LHFX compares.

LHFX charges $3 per side, opens at $10, offers up to 1:500 leverage, and typically processes withdrawals in under 20 minutes via auto-payout on MT5.

Quick Comparison

LHFX vs City Index at a glance.

LHFX vs City Index: commission, minimum deposit, spreads, leverage, platforms, instruments, execution, regulation, withdrawal speed and swap-free accounts
FeatureLHFXCity Index
Commission$3 per side ($6 per lot round-turn)Spread-only on FX (commission on shares)
Minimum Deposit$10Low minimum (varies by entity)
SpreadsFrom 0.0 pipsFrom 0.5 pips on EURUSD (marketed as low)
LeverageUp to 1:500Up to 1:30 retail (FCA, ASIC)
PlatformsMT5Web Trader (proprietary), MT4, TradingView
Instruments144 (41 forex pairs)4,500+ (80+ forex pairs, heavy on share CFDs)
ExecutionSTP/ECNSTP and ECN routes (StoneX Group)
RegulationFSC Mauritius (GB23202204), FSCA South Africa (FSP 52816)FCA UK, ASIC Australia, MAS Singapore, Central Bank UAE
Crypto WithdrawalsTypically under 20 minutesNot offered
Islamic AccountYes, swap-free with holding fee after grace periodNot publicly advertised in core markets

Where LHFX Wins

The areas where LHFX offers a clear advantage over City Index.

01

Transparent Per-Side Commission

$3 per side ($6 round-turn) at LHFX on raw spreads from 0.0 pips. City Index uses spread-only pricing on FX, which makes total cost harder to compare directly and typically higher for active scalpers.

02

Up to 1:500 Leverage

LHFX offers up to 1:500 leverage. City Index is capped at 1:30 on retail forex under FCA and ASIC rules. That is roughly 16x more buying power per dollar of margin at LHFX.

03

Crypto Deposits and Withdrawals

BTC, ETH, USDT and other crypto rails alongside card. City Index does not offer crypto deposits or withdrawals at retail entities.

04

MT5 as Standard

LHFX runs MT5 with full ECN execution. City Index leads with its proprietary Web Trader and offers MT4. For traders who specifically want MT5 with raw-spread ECN flow, LHFX is the cleaner fit.

05

Auto-Payouts Typically Under 20 Minutes

Withdrawals are typically processed in under 20 minutes through the LHFX auto-payout system. City Index processes via bank rails without a published average settlement time, typically 1 to 3 business days.

Where City Index Wins

City Index has genuine strengths. Here is where they come out ahead.

Founded in 1983

City Index has been operating for over four decades and is part of StoneX Group, a NASDAQ-listed financial services group. That is a depth of operating history LHFX cannot match.

Multi-Jurisdiction Tier-1 Regulation

City Index is licensed by the FCA UK, ASIC Australia, MAS Singapore and the Central Bank of UAE. For traders who prioritise tier-1 regulators, that is a stronger footprint than LHFX.

4,500+ Instruments

City Index lists over 4,500 share CFDs alongside forex, indices, commodities and bonds. LHFX offers 144 instruments concentrated on forex, indices, commodities, crypto and select stocks.

80+ Forex Pairs

City Index quotes 80+ currency pairs against 41 at LHFX. If you actively trade exotic crosses, the wider list matters.

Who Should Choose LHFX

  • Traders who want leverage above 1:30 (LHFX offers up to 1:500)
  • Traders who want crypto or card deposits and withdrawals
  • Traders who prefer transparent per-side commission on raw spreads
  • Traders who want withdrawals typically processed in under 20 minutes
  • Traders who want a swap-free Islamic account
Open an LHFX Account

Who Should Stick with City Index

  • Traders who specifically need an FCA or ASIC-regulated broker
  • UK or Australian residents who need a local entity
  • Share CFD traders who want access to 4,500+ stocks in one account
  • Traders who actively trade 60+ exotic forex crosses
  • Traders who value a broker with 40+ years of operating history

Making the Switch

Moving from City Index to LHFX takes minutes, not days.

1

Open an LHFX Account

$10 minimum deposit. Registration takes about 2 minutes.

2

Verify Your Identity

Upload a government-issued ID. Most verifications complete within a few hours.

3

Fund and Start Trading

Deposit via crypto or card and place your first trade on MT5 or LHFX Trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LHFX cheaper than City Index?

For active forex traders, usually yes. LHFX charges $3 per side ($6 round-turn) on raw spreads from 0.0 pips. City Index uses spread-only pricing on forex with typical EURUSD spreads from 0.5 pips, which works out higher on a per-trade basis once you size up.

Can I switch from City Index to LHFX?

Yes. Open an LHFX account, verify, and fund from $10. The main change is platform: City Index pushes its proprietary Web Trader, while LHFX is MT5 only. MT5 strategies and Expert Advisors transfer cleanly.

Which has higher leverage?

LHFX offers up to 1:500 leverage on retail accounts. City Index is capped at 1:30 retail leverage under FCA UK and ASIC Australia rules. That is the single biggest practical difference for retail forex traders.

Does City Index offer MT5?

City Index supports MT4, its proprietary Web Trader and TradingView, but not MT5 in most of its retail entities. LHFX is MT5 only as a direct MetaQuotes licensee.

Which is more regulated, LHFX or City Index?

City Index is regulated by the FCA UK, ASIC Australia, MAS Singapore and the Central Bank of UAE under StoneX Group. LHFX is regulated by the FSC Mauritius (GB23202204) and FSCA South Africa (FSP 52816). City Index has the more senior regulatory footprint on paper.

Ready to Try LHFX?

$10 minimum deposit. $3 per side commission. 1:500 leverage. Crypto withdrawals typically processed in under 20 minutes.