Two regulated brokers are tested on cost, platform depth, and fund safety. The axis of tension revolves around pricing, technology, and how far each goes to protect client funds.
CMC Markets is the editorial score winner with 4.5 vs 4.2 for Swissquote. It also provides 24/5 live chat support.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want zero minimum deposit and a very wide instrument universe.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you value FINMA oversight and a broad multi-asset suite including real stocks.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.70 pips vs 1.70 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 5 |
Pros
FCA-regulated, LSE-listed
Excellent proprietary platform
MT4 also available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | 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 | Fail | 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: CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 and Swissquote rates 4.2/5. CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets starts from 0.7 pips, tighter than Swissquote's 1.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both CMC Markets 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: CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
CMC Markets wins for safety & regulation, with multiple regulators and segregated client funds.
CMC Markets wins for active traders due to large instrument universe and strong proprietary platform.
CMC Markets is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.70 pips.
Equally matched for platform choice, offering MT4/MT5 and proprietary platforms.
CMC Markets wins for beginners due to zero minimum deposit and accessible support.
CMC Markets wins for instrument variety with about 12,000 instruments versus Swissquote's 400.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1989 | 1996 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Gland, Switzerland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,120 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1▲ higher | 100:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app 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
Inactivity fee after 12 months
No raw spread account option
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
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker