City Traders Imperium vs NYS Markets: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)
Verdict: Who Wins?
City Traders Imperium
5 wins
Decisive Win
NYS Markets
1 wins
Best For:
City Traders Imperium
City Traders Imperium
Visual Comparison
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Head-to-Head Comparison
| City Traders Imperium | Metric | NYS Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 8.3/10 ★ | PFM Score | 6.2/10 |
| 4.3/5 (1,696) | TrustPilot | 4.5/5 (107) ★ |
| A ★ | Safety Grade | B+ |
| 89.6 A ★ | Trust Score | 61.6 B |
| 80% - 100% | Profit Split | 80% (scales up to 100%) |
| None disclosed (1-Step); 5% of account size (2-Step); 6% (Instant Funding and Instant Funding Pro) | Daily Drawdown | Instant: 3% daily / 5% trailing. Step 1: 3% daily / 6% max. Step 2: 5% daily / 10% max. |
| On-demand (Bronze VIP tier: weekly; Silver VIP tier and above: any time) | Payout Frequency | Weekly |
| $29 ★ | Starting Price | $36 |
| White-Label | Technology | White-Label |
| Match Trader, MT5 | Platforms | Trading View, Match Trader, MT5 |
| No | Direct Path to Funded | No |
| Comoros | Country | Saint Lucia |
| Jan 2018 | Established | Jan 2015 |
| 23 options | Challenge Options | 6 options |
Price Comparison by Account Size
Cheapest challenge price at each account size (where both firms offer the same size)
| Account Size | City Traders Imperium | NYS Markets | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5K | $49 | $36 ★ | Save $13 |
| $10K | $79 | $79 | Same price |
| $20K | $449 | $149 ★ | Save $300 |
| $50K | $299 | $299 | Same price |
| $100K | $449 ★ | $529 | Save $80 |
City Traders Imperium vs NYS Markets: Detailed Analysis
City Traders Imperium and NYS Markets are both CFD firms. NYS Markets has been in business longer, established in 2015, while City Traders Imperium was founded in 2018.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, City Traders Imperium is more affordable with challenges starting at $29, which is $7 less than NYS Markets's starting price of $36. City Traders Imperium offers 23 challenge options, while NYS Markets offers 6.
Account Sizes
On account sizing, City Traders Imperium offers account sizes from $5 to $100 across 8 funding tiers, while NYS Markets offers account sizes from $5 to $150 across 6 funding tiers. Picking the right tier matters because both the entry cost and the maximum capital you can scale to are tied to the account size you start with.
Trading Platforms
For trading platforms, City Traders Imperium supports Match Trader and MT5, while NYS Markets runs on Trading View, Match Trader and MT5. If you already trade on a specific platform, this can be the deciding factor between the two.
Profit Split & Payouts
City Traders Imperium offers 80% - 100% profit split, while NYS Markets offers 80% (scales up to 100%). City Traders Imperium pays out On-demand (Bronze VIP tier: weekly; Silver VIP tier and above: any time), and NYS Markets pays out Weekly.
Risk & Drawdown Rules
Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: City Traders Imperium lists its daily drawdown as "None disclosed (1-Step); 5% of account size (2-Step); 6% (Instant Funding and Instant Funding Pro)", while NYS Markets lists "Instant: 3% daily / 5% trailing. Step 1: 3% daily / 6% max. Step 2: 5% daily / 10% max.". Always confirm the drawdown type before buying, since a trailing rule behaves very differently from a static end-of-day one.
Trust & Safety
For trust and reputation, City Traders Imperium has a 4.3/5 TrustPilot rating with 1,696 reviews, while NYS Markets has 4.5/5 with 107 reviews. Safety grades: City Traders Imperium A, NYS Markets B+.
Who Should Choose Which
Across the use cases we scored, City Traders Imperium is the stronger choice for budget-conscious traders and trust & reputation.
Overall, City Traders Imperium edges ahead winning 5 out of 6 categories we compared. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - both firms have their strengths.
Pros & Cons
City Traders Imperium
Pros
Cons
NYS Markets
Pros
Cons
Active Deals & Promo Codes
City Traders Imperium
NYS Markets
No active deals
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, City Traders Imperium or NYS Markets?
City Traders Imperium scores higher overall, winning 5 out of 6 comparison categories including Overall Rating, Starting Price, Safety Grade. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.
Which is cheaper, City Traders Imperium or NYS Markets?
City Traders Imperium has the lower starting price at $29. City Traders Imperium offers 23 challenge options starting from $29, while NYS Markets offers 6 options starting from $36.
Which has better reviews, City Traders Imperium or NYS Markets?
NYS Markets has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4.5/5. City Traders Imperium has 1,696 reviews while NYS Markets has 107.
Which offers a higher profit split, City Traders Imperium or NYS Markets?
City Traders Imperium offers a higher maximum profit split. City Traders Imperium offers 80% - 100% while NYS Markets offers 80% (scales up to 100%).
How fast do City Traders Imperium and NYS Markets pay out?
City Traders Imperium has On-demand (Bronze VIP tier: weekly; Silver VIP tier and above: any time) payouts while NYS Markets offers Weekly payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.
Are City Traders Imperium and NYS Markets legit?
Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. City Traders Imperium holds a A safety grade and a 4.3/5 TrustPilot rating. NYS Markets holds a B+ safety grade and a 4.5/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.
Which is better for beginners, City Traders Imperium or NYS Markets?
City Traders Imperium may be more accessible for beginners due to its lower entry price. When starting out, consider challenge cost, drawdown rules, and profit split. Use the comparison table above to find which firm fits your experience level and risk tolerance.
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