A head-to-head comparison of Swissquote and Windsor Brokers across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Swiss banking heritage with exceptional fund security, the broadest asset range in retail trading, and FINMA oversight - though minimum deposits are high.
One of the longest-operating CySEC-regulated brokers, offering standard and ECN accounts on MT4 and MT5 - a solid EU retail offering backed by a track record few Cyprus-based competitors can match.
Swissquote edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Windsor Brokers's 4/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 1.7 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
Swissquote has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Windsor Brokers has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Swissquote offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
Swissquote edges out Windsor Brokers with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1996 | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Gland, Switzerland | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $1,120 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 1.7 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
| Max leverage | 100:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA DFSA FINMA | FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Swissquote | Visit Windsor Brokers |
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
Pros
35+ years of continuous operation - one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer 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
Cons
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5 - no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Swissquote | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Swissquote ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 4/5 for Windsor Brokers. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Swissquote and Windsor Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads starting from 0 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.
Windsor Brokers has a lower minimum deposit of $100, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes Windsor Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Swissquote holds top-tier regulation (FCA, DFSA, FINMA), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: Windsor Brokers 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.
Swissquote offers maximum leverage of 100:1, while Windsor Brokers offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Swissquote supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile and Windsor Brokers offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; Swissquote exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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