IG and Swissquote clash on credibility, breadth of markets, and platform power. The axis of tension centers on regulation, cost, and trading tools.
IG edges Swissquote on editorial credibility and market breadth, earning the higher editorial score of 4.8 vs 4.2. Swissquote remains strong on regulation but trails in markets and cost transparency.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want top-tier regulation and the widest market access.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you value FINMA oversight and bank-level fund security.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
IG offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 1.70 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 5 |
Pros
LSE-listed with FCA and ASIC regulation, among the most credible regulatory stacks in retail CFDs
19,000+ markets including weekend crypto, volatility indices, and EM pairs, real breadth, not a padded count
Proprietary platform with ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and DMA equity routing built in
Spread betting available for UK clients, tax-free gains on the same account used for CFD trading
No minimum deposit and no deposit or withdrawal fee on standard methods
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | 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 |
IG rates 4.8/5 versus 4.2/5 for Swissquote. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
IG starts from 0.6 pips, tighter than Swissquote's 1.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
IG has no minimum deposit, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IG 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: IG has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IG lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
IG wins for safety and regulation thanks to its multi-jurisdictional regulator coverage.
IG wins because of 19,000+ markets and advanced tools for active traders.
IG is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
IG wins with a strong proprietary platform and DMA equity routing.
IG wins for beginners with no minimum deposit and broad accessibility.
Swissquote wins on instrument variety with real stocks, bonds, and options.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1974 | 1996 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Gland, Switzerland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,120 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1▲ higher | 100:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month (after 24 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
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
Market maker on forex, not suitable for scalpers who need sub-0.1 pip raw ECN spreads
Inactivity fee of £12/month kicks in after 24 months with no trades
Onboarding verification is slower than smaller or offshore brokers
Customer support quality drops outside UK business hours
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
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