Two well regulated brokers face off on cost and platform diversity. The tension centers on spreads, instrument range, and accessibility.
FXOpen and Swissquote are closely matched, but FXOpen's raw spreads provide the clearest cost edge.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose FXOpen if…
Choose FXOpen if you want ECN pricing with $3/lot commissions and access to MT4, MT5 and cTrader.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you value FINMA regulation with bank-grade security, plus a proprietary platform and phone support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FXOpen offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 1.70 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Pros
FCA, CySEC, and ASIC triple regulation
$3 round-turn ECN commission, one of the lowest in retail forex
Early cTrader adopter with mature integration
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXOpen | 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 | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
FXOpen and Swissquote share the same editorial score of 4.2/5. One concrete differentiator: FXOpen requires a lower minimum deposit.
FXOpen starts from 0 pips, tighter than Swissquote's 1.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FXOpen has $100, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes FXOpen more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXOpen 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: FXOpen requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FXOpen lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
FXOpen charges $3 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Swissquote are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
FXOpen supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. FXOpen has exclusive access to cTrader. Swissquote has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Equally matched; both have segregated funds and robust regulatory oversight.
FXOpen wins for active traders due to low commissions and raw spreads.
FXOpen is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
FXOpen offers MT4, MT5, and cTrader for diverse trading needs.
FXOpen offers 700 instruments against 400 at Swissquote.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2003 | 1996 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Gland, Switzerland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100▼ lower | $1,120 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $3/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.3 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1▲ higher | 100:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
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
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
$100 minimum deposit on ECN accounts
Less brand recognition than larger competitors
Customer support coverage narrower than global tier-1 brokers
No proprietary platform
No phone support
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
Score 4.2 / 5
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