This comparison pits ActivTrades against Swissquote on regulation, platforms, and pricing, while service access and asset breadth create tension. The outcome hinges on how these factors balance.
ActivTrades and Swissquote are closely matched, with ActivTrades offering 24/5 live chat support that Swissquote lacks.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you value 24/5 live chat support and no inactivity fee.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you prioritise FINMA backing and a broad asset universe.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 1.70 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Pros
FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client
ActivTrader's volatility protection feature is a genuine risk management differentiator
No minimum deposit
Strong southern European presence, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 4.3/5 and Swissquote rates 4.2/5. ActivTrades 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 starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than Swissquote's 1.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and Swissquote hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker'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 brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while Swissquote lists up to 100:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
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 and Swissquote are equally matched for safety and regulation.
ActivTrades is best for active traders due to more instruments and 24/5 support.
ActivTrades is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
Swissquote wins on platform choice with MT4/MT5 and a proprietary web/mobile platform.
ActivTrades is best for beginners thanks to zero minimum deposit.
ActivTrades leads instrument variety with 1000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2001 | 1996 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Gland, Switzerland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,120 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1▲ higher | 100:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | 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 | DFSA FCA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Swiss banking heritage with FINMA regulation and bank-level fund security
Broadest multi-asset range including real stocks, bonds, and options
Listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SIX)
FCA and DFSA regulated for UK and UAE clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Product range narrower than IG or Saxo
No cTrader or raw ECN account option
Less known outside Europe compared to global competitors
Cons
Very high minimum deposit (CHF 1,000, approximately $1,120)
Spreads wider than ECN peers on standard account
Primarily appropriate for larger, more sophisticated accounts
Inactivity fee applies
No 24/5 live chat
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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