FXCM and Swissquote face off on regulation, costs, and platforms. The tension centers on support availability versus asset breadth and minimum deposits.
FXCM and Swissquote are closely matched overall, with FXCM's 24/5 live chat support the clearest differentiator.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you want 24/5 live chat support and a low $50 minimum deposit. It also offers MT4, Trading Station, and strong API access.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you value FINMA regulation and bank-level fund security with segregated funds. It also offers a broad asset range including stocks, bonds, and options.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FXCM offers tighter spreads from 0.40 pips vs 1.70 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Pros
Strong APIs (REST, FIX)
Trading Station + MT4
FCA regulated
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 | FXCM | 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: FXCM rates 4.1/5 and Swissquote rates 4.2/5. Swissquote 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.
FXCM starts from 0.4 pips, tighter than Swissquote's 1.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FXCM has $50, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXCM 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: FXCM requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FXCM 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.
FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and NinjaTrader. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Swissquote is stronger here due to FINMA oversight and bank-level fund security.
FXCM suits active traders with robust APIs and multiple platforms.
FXCM is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.40 pips.
Swissquote offers MT4 and MT5 along with a proprietary platform.
FXCM offers a low $50 minimum deposit, appealing to beginners.
Swissquote provides the broadest asset range including stocks, bonds, and options.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 1996 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Gland, Switzerland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $50▼ lower | $1,120 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.4 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1▲ higher | 100:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 12 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free for first per month | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
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
Withdrew from US market in 2017
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
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 4.1 / 5
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