The City Index demo account provides a simulated trading environment with virtual funds, allowing users to practice trading strategies without financial risk. City Index, a brokerage firm specializing in CFDs and forex trading, offers this demo account to help traders familiarize themselves with its trading platforms and market conditions. The demo account replicates real market data and price movements, ensuring that users experience trading scenarios similar to live conditions.
The demo account grants access to over 13,500 markets, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares. It supports both the proprietary WebTrader platform and MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Users receive £10,000 in virtual funds, with leverage set at 30:1 by default. The demo environment mirrors live trading, including real-time price data and market execution, but excludes commissions, slippage, and psychological pressures associated with real trading.
The City Index demo account remains active for 12 weeks. After the trial expires or the virtual funds are depleted, users can reapply for a new demo account, resetting previous settings and trading history. The duration allows traders to test strategies, refine their skills, and determine whether City Index suits their trading needs before committing to a live account.
How to open a City Index demo account?
There are five steps to open a City Index demo account. These are to visit the City Index’s website, fill the registration form, customize the demo account, verify your profile and login into the demo account. The different steps to open a City Index demo account are listed below.
First, visit the City Index’s website. Go to the City Index homepage. From here you will be able to select the option to open a demo account.
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Second, fill the City Index registration form. Filling in the form should be fast and simple. Just complete it as you see below with your name, surname, email, phone, and country of residence.
Third, customize the demo account. After you click ‘submit’ you will be redirected to a page, as you can see in the image below.
The page shows you the login details and will require you to select the platform you want to use. With City Index you can use the desktop (MT4), webtrader, or the mobile versions of the City Index platforms. If you choose the webtrader, no download is needed. Desktop platforms need to be downloaded and installed before being ready to use.
Fourth, verify your profile. It is not required to be verified to start using the demo account as you can access the platform directly from the summary page that appears after you have completed the registration form. Regardless, the broker will still send you an email to your email box with all the details recap. If you choose and download the MT4 platform, after that the broker will send you the MetaTrader details you need to enter the platform.
Last step, login into the demo account. After downloading the platform (if you chose the MT4 desktop version), you have done everything you need to. You are then ready to log-in with the log-in credentials you got earlier, and start trading on your demo account. The City Index Webtrader initial screen you are greeted with should look just like the image here.
What are the features of the City Index demo account?
The features of the City Index demo account are listed below.
- Platform Access: The City Index demo account provides access to both the City Index WebTrader platform and the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform.
- Virtual Funds: The City Index demo account is pre-loaded with £10,000 in virtual funds.
- Market Access: The City Index demo account offers access to over 13,500 markets and assets that are available on the live trading platform. The demo account includes a wide range of financial instruments, such as Forex, indices, shares, and commodities.
- Leverage: The City Index MT4 demo account provides a default leverage of 30:1. The maximum leverage provided by City Index is as high as 1:500 for clients outside the UK and Australia.
- Real-Time Market Data: The City Index demo account includes real-time market data. This feature allows users to experience trading conditions similar to live accounts.
- Time Limit: The City Index demo account has a time limit of 12 weeks. Once the trial period of 30 days has expired or the virtual capital has been used up, you can reapply for a new demo account. All your previous account settings and history will be reset to default.
- Educational Resources: City Index provides educational resources such as a trading platform tutorial and educational videos.
- Practice & Strategy Testing: The City Index demo account is ideal for practice, strategy testing, and becoming acquainted with City Index’s features before investing real money. The City Index demo account is designed to simulate real-world trading conditions without the risk of losing real money.
- Customer Support: Customer support is available for City Index demo account users to provide assistance as needed.
The City Index demo account main features and characteristics are detailed in the table below.
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Demo available | Yes |
| Trial duration | 12 weeks |
| Demo platforms | MT4, Proprietary platform |
| Virtual money amount | $10,000 |
| Customizable features | Yes |
What is the difference between a live and demo City Index account?
The differences between City Index demo and live accounts involve real vs. virtual funds. A City Index demo account provides simulated trading without risking money, while a City Index live account involves real investments with potential gains or losses. The demo account lacks trading psychology exposure and slippage, which are present in live accounts.
Demo accounts allow traders to practice in a risk-free environment, while in live accounts, traders trade with real money. This involves financial risks, as losses have a direct impact on traders’ capital.
Demo accounts try to replicate real market conditions, but factors such as commissions and slippage can lead to differences in the market execution compared to live trading. When trading in real, the lack of liquidity can produce differences between the requested order price and the order’s execution price, known as Slippage. When price changes quickly, your order can be executed at a different price compared to when the order was opened. Slippage will not happen in a demo account because it’s filled with virtual money.
In live accounts, traders encounter costs, such as commissions, spread and other transaction costs, which affect traders’ earnings, while in the demo account there are no transaction costs and commissions are low or equal to zero. For Live accounts, there is a $12 fee after 36 months of inactivity, while the demo accounts are valid for 12 weeks without any cost.
How to switch from a City Index demo to a City Index live account?
There are three steps to switch from a City Index demo to a City Index live account. These are to provide proof of your identity, verify your account and make the first deposit. The different steps to switch from a City Index demo to a City Index live account are listed below.
First, provide proof of your identity (Passport, ID or Driver License) and proof of your residence (Bill utility or bank statement) to get verified. Depending on the country, City Index may ask more questions to check your trading experience.
Second, City Index will verify your account. This step confirms that your identity and residence have been authenticated.
Finally, after City Index verification, make your first deposit and start trading. The first City Index minimum deposit is $100. When switching to a live account, your demo will still be available.
How to best use a City Index demo account?
To best use a City Index demo account you have to set up the demo account as you would set up a real account, avoid opening large positions, treat money as if it were real, practice daily and use the learning materials offered by the broker.
Set up your demo account exactly as you would a real one, matching platform, currency, balance, and account type to your live trading intentions. This ensures a realistic environment. Consistency in your initial setup builds a strong foundation for learning.
Avoid opening large positions if you don’t plan on trading significant funds later. Oversized trades can give you a misleading sense of security. Keeping position sizes reasonable fosters more disciplined habits.
Treat your demo funds as if they were real. This mindset prevents you from taking risks you wouldn’t normally take. Respecting your virtual balance encourages responsible decision-making.
Make time to practice every single day. Regular trading sessions help you refine strategies, identify patterns, and maintain focus. Consistent practice also accelerates your learning curve.
Study and integrate the knowledge you gain through City Index’s educational tools. Explore tutorials, webinars, and any additional resources they offer. Combining these insights with daily practice reinforces a deeper understanding of the markets.
What are the advantages of a City Index demo account?
The advantages of a City Index demo account are listed below.
- Highly customizable: allows traders to choose the account type, the account currency, the amount of virtual funds and the maximum leverage
- Easy to open: it is a quick procedure, which takes a few minutes
- Good choice of trading platforms: allows traders to choose between MT4, MT5 and proprietary platform
- Unlimited Accounts: traders can open as many demo accounts as you need
- Account Type: allows traders to choose between CFD, Joint CFD, Spread Betting and FX MT4 account
What are the disadvantages of a City Index demo account?
The disadvantages of a City Index demo account are listed below.
- Trial duration: the City Index demo accounts are valid for only 12 weeks
- Ignoring risk management: traders use virtual money and may not fully understand the importance of risk management
- Lack of the psychological factor: it can lead to a false sense of security
To find out more about City Index characteristics, features, pros and cons and opinions, check out our “City Index review“.