Pepperstone and Swissquote compete as regulated crypto brokers with distinct asset access. One emphasizes CFDs across multiple platforms, the other combines CFDs with real crypto custody.
Pepperstone and Swissquote are closely matched, but Pepperstone lists more coins (30 vs 20) and 24/5 live chat. Swissquote emphasizes real crypto purchases under FINMA.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you want 30 crypto CFDs across MT4, MT5, and cTrader, plus access to TradingView tools and 24/5 live chat support for quick help. You benefit from FCA/ASIC regulation and segregated client funds, though you won't own real crypto.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real crypto purchases and custody within a FINMA-regulated Swiss banking framework, with access to 60,000+ instruments in one account and strong depositor protections. You also gain phone support in addition to wide product access.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote wins on security due to FINMA banking license and depositor protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | 7.00% | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Pepperstone | 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 | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Pepperstone rates 4/5 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.
Pepperstone lists a lower spread from 0, 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.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both Pepperstone 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: Pepperstone 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.
Pepperstone 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.
Pepperstone charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Swissquote are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView. Swissquote has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Pepperstone 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.
Pepperstone wins for low fees due to no inactivity fee.
Pepperstone lists more coins (30) than Swissquote (20).
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | DFSA FMA FCA ASIC BaFin CySEC | DFSA FCA 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 4 / 5
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