Plus500 vs Swissquote Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Plus500 and Swissquote across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
LSE-listed with zero commission, intuitive proprietary platform, and negative balance protection - though limited research and no MT4.
VS
Score 4.2 / 5
2 bonusesSwiss banking heritage with exceptional fund security, the broadest asset range in retail trading, and FINMA oversight - though minimum deposits are high.
Our Verdict
Swissquote winsby 0.2 pts
Swissquote edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Plus500's 4/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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
Plus500 offers tighter spreads from 0.6 pips vs 1.7 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Swissquote offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Swissquote edges out Plus500 with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
Plus500 vs Swissquote: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
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 | $1,120 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 100:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC CMA MAS | FCA DFSA FINMA |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Plus500 | Visit Swissquote |
Plus500 vs Swissquote Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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)
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 suited to larger, more sophisticated accounts
Inactivity fee applies
No 24/5 live chat
Plus500 vs Swissquote: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Plus500
criteria win
3
Swissquote
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| 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 |
Plus500 vs Swissquote: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Swissquote ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 4/5 for Plus500. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Plus500 and Swissquote may each suit different trader profiles.
Plus500 offers tighter spreads starting from 0.6 pips, compared to Swissquote's spreads from 1.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Plus500 has a lower minimum deposit of $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. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: Plus500 has a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Plus500 offers maximum leverage of 30:1, while Swissquote offers up to 100:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and Swissquote offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 5; both support Proprietary Web/Mobile; Swissquote exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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