Two regulated forex brokers clash over cost, access, and platforms. Dukascopy emphasizes ECN execution and instrument breadth, while OANDA highlights research and broad regulatory reach.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Dukascopy if you want raw spreads with ECN execution, access to 1200 instruments, and leverage up to 200:1.
Choose if…
Choose OANDA if you want no minimum deposit, robust research, and broad regulatory coverage across NFA, FCA, and ASIC.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.9 / 5▲ | 4.8 / 5 |
Pros
Full FINMA banking licence - client cash protected under Swiss deposit guarantee up to CHF 100,000
Genuine interbank SWFX ECN liquidity from 14+ institutional providers
EUR/USD variable spreads from 0.1 pips during London/New York overlap
JForex supports Java/Groovy strategy automation built into the platform
Banking-grade transparency with published balance sheet
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Dukascopy | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Dukascopy rates 4.3/5 and OANDA rates 4.6/5. OANDA 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.
Dukascopy starts from 0.1 pips, tighter than OANDA's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
OANDA has no minimum deposit, while Dukascopy requires at least $1000. This makes OANDA more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Dukascopy and OANDA 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.
OANDA stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Dukascopy lists maximum leverage of 200:1, while OANDA lists up to 50:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Dukascopy charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for OANDA are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Dukascopy supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while OANDA supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. OANDA has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
Dukascopy offers tighter spreads from 0.10 pips vs 1.00 pips for OANDA, reducing trading costs.
OANDA is best for safety and regulation, holding regulators including NFA, FCA, and ASIC.
Dukascopy wins for active traders with raw spreads and 200:1 leverage.
Dukascopy is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.10 pips.
OANDA wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5, proprietary web/mobile, and TradingView.
OANDA wins for beginners due to zero minimum deposit and comprehensive support.
Dukascopy wins for instrument variety with about 1,200 tradable instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.7 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 1996 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland | New York, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $1,000 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.1 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.8 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 200:1 | 50:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for ACH |
|---|
| Regulators | FSA Seychelles FINMA | ASIC FCA CMF CBI NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
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
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Available to US residents (NFA-registered)
Best-in-class research and economic data
No minimum deposit
MT4, MT5 and proprietary platforms
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
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
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
CHF 1,000 minimum deposit excludes traders starting with less than USD 1,000
JForex has a steep learning curve; designed for professional clients
Customer support primarily Swiss business hours
Not available to US residents
No negative balance protection
No 24/5 live chat
Cons
Spreads slightly wider than ECN-style brokers
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
OANDA is the higher-rated broker overall with 4.6/5 versus Dukascopy's 4.3/5.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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