Two established brokers face off on regulation, pricing, and platforms. The tension lies in trust signals, execution models, and how far each reaches across instruments and tools.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Dukascopy if you prioritise strong regulation and interbank ECN execution. You also gain access to a proprietary JForex platform with Java/Groovy automation.
Choose if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you want MT4/MT5 access and EU investor protections. You also benefit from 0.0 pip ECN pricing with an $8 per lot commission and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.9 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 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 | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 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 Windsor Brokers rates 4/5. Dukascopy 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.
Windsor Brokers starts from 0 pips, tighter than Dukascopy's 0.1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Windsor Brokers has $100, while Dukascopy requires at least $1000. This makes Windsor Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Dukascopy holds top-tier regulation (FINMA, FSA Seychelles), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers 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.
Dukascopy charges $7 per lot, lower than Windsor Brokers's $8 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Dukascopy supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Dukascopy has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.10 pips for Dukascopy, reducing trading costs.
Dukascopy wins for safety & regulation due to higher trust score and FINMA backing.
Dukascopy wins for active traders with interbank ECN liquidity and JForex automation.
Dukascopy is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($7/lot).
Windsor Brokers wins for platform choice with MT4 and MT5 availability.
Windsor Brokers wins for beginners with a $100 minimum deposit.
Dukascopy wins for instrument variety with 1200 instruments versus 200.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.7 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 1988 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland | Nicosia, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $1,000 | $100▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.1 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot▼ lower | $8/lot |
|---|
| 0.8 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
| Max Leverage | 200:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FINMA FSA Seychelles | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 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
35+ years of continuous operation, one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
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
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
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5, no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
Dukascopy edges Windsor Brokers on editorial score due to stronger trust/regulation and far greater instrument variety. Its proprietary platform and interbank ECN liquidity further support the edge.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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