IC Marketsvs
SwissquoteForex Broker Comparison
Two brokers with different regulatory footprints meet in a cost versus platform battle. The contest hinges on trust, pricing, and execution options.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.5 pts
IC Markets is the overall winner on editorial score, driven by stronger Fees & Spreads and Trust & Regulation ratings.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IC Markets offers raw 0 pip spreads with $7/lot commission.
- 2Swissquote provides a proprietary trading platform.
- 3IC Markets offers 2200 instruments versus Swissquote's 400.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Swissquote?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want true ECN pricing with raw 0 pip spreads and a per-lot commission. You also benefit from 24/5 live chat and no inactivity fee.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you value FINMA regulation, bank-level fund security, and access to a proprietary trading platform.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
IC Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 1.70 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
IC Markets vs Swissquote: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 5 |
IC Markets vs Swissquote Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
True ECN routing with raw 0.0 pip spreads
All three major platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader)
Deep liquidity from 25+ tier-1 sources
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
IC Markets vs Swissquote: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
IC Markets
criteria wins
1
Swissquote
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC 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 | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets vs Swissquote: Frequently Asked Questions
IC Markets rates 4.7/5 versus 4.2/5 for Swissquote. IC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
IC Markets 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.
IC Markets has $200, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes IC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC 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: IC Markets requires a lower minimum deposit ($200), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IC Markets 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.
IC Markets charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Swissquote are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView. Swissquote has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
