Two brokers are evaluated on trust, costs, platform quality, and range of instruments. The comparison highlights differences in regulation, platform availability, and pricing.
Swissquote edges Plus500 by editorial score due to higher overall rating and stronger platform breadth.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you want 24/5 live chat support and a large instrument universe.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you need MT4/MT5 access, phone support, and advanced charting.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Plus500 offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 1.70 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Pros
LSE-listed providing strong institutional credibility
Zero commission on all trades
Intuitive proprietary platform with a clean mobile app
Negative balance protection across all accounts
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Plus500 | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Plus500 rates 4/5 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.
Plus500 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.
Plus500 has $100, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes Plus500 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Plus500 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: Plus500 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.
Plus500 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.
Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Swissquote wins for safety and regulation, with FINMA oversight and bank-level fund protection.
Swissquote wins for active traders due to MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting.
Plus500 is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
Swissquote wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5, a proprietary platform, and mobile app.
Plus500 wins for beginners due to low $100 minimum deposit and transparent pricing.
Plus500 wins for instrument variety with about 2000 tradable instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 1996 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Haifa, Israel | Gland, Switzerland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100▼ 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 | $10/month (after 3 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
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
No MT4 or MT5 support
Limited research tools and market analysis
US residents not accepted
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
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 / 5
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