Two regulated brokers face off on cost, platforms, and product breadth. The axis of tension highlights pricing transparency, trading platforms, and instrument variety.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose BDSwiss if you prefer a $10 minimum deposit and phone support.
Choose if…
Choose Skilling if you want higher leverage and a larger instrument universe.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
Pros
$10 minimum deposit (Classic account) - lowest among CySEC-regulated MT4/MT5 brokers
CySEC (199/13) regulation with ICF compensation scheme for EU clients
MT4, MT5, and proprietary WebTrader
Prime ECN account: raw 0.0 pip spreads at $6/lot commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | BDSwiss | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: BDSwiss rates 3.9/5 and Skilling rates 4.1/5. Skilling 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.
BDSwiss starts from 0 pips, tighter than Skilling's 0.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
BDSwiss has $10, while Skilling requires at least $100. This makes BDSwiss more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both BDSwiss and Skilling 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: BDSwiss requires a lower minimum deposit ($10), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
BDSwiss lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Skilling lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
BDSwiss charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Skilling are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
BDSwiss supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Skilling supports Skilling Trader, cTrader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. BDSwiss has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader and cTrader.
BDSwiss offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for Skilling, reducing trading costs.
Skilling wins for safety & regulation with FCA oversight alongside CySEC protections.
Skilling wins for active traders due to higher leverage and broader instrument selection.
BDSwiss is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Skilling wins for platform choice with a polished proprietary Trader, plus cTrader and MT4 options.
Skilling wins for instrument variety with 1000 instruments versus 250.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2016 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Valletta, Malta |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $10▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $10/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FSA Seychelles FSC | CySEC FCA FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Skilling Trader cTrader MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
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
Clean modern Skilling Trader platform, excellent UX for new-to-intermediate traders
cTrader available with raw spreads from 0.0 pips
CySEC and FCA regulation with EU and UK investor protections
Growing Latin American presence with local-language support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
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
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Classic account spreads (1.5-2.0 pips EUR/USD) wide for active traders
$1,000 minimum on the Prime ECN account
No cTrader or TradingView integration
Research tools are basic
Cons
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
Newer broker, less track record than IG or Pepperstone
Product range narrower than multi-asset brokers
No phone support
Both BDSwiss and Skilling are closely matched overall. However, the single clearest differentiator is instrument breadth, with Skilling offering 1000 instruments versus BDSwiss 250.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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