ActivTrades and Swissquote clash over crypto access and platform depth, exposing security, fee, and coin-selection tensions.
Swissquote edges ActivTrades in overall score due to stronger regulation and broader platform options. ActivTrades remains competitive for UK clients with FSCS coverage and GBP1,000,000 fund protection.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want a $0 minimum deposit and 24/5 live chat support.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real crypto custody under a FINMA license.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote benefits from FINMA licensing and Swiss depositor protection.
ActivTrades provides lower costs with zero minimum deposit and no inactivity fee.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and Swissquote rates 4.1/5. Swissquote has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ActivTrades lists a lower spread from 0.5, compared with Swissquote's 1.7. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both ActivTrades and Swissquote hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ActivTrades offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Swissquote's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
ActivTrades scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
Swissquote lists more coins and supports real crypto access.
ActivTrades offers zero minimum deposit, making it more accessible for beginners.
Equally matched.
| CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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