A head-to-head comparison of Swissquote and XTB 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.
XTB edges ahead with a score of 4.5/5 vs Swissquote's 4.2/5. 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.
XTB offers tighter spreads from 0.8 pips vs 1.7 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Swissquote offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 5, a proprietary platform.
XTB edges out Swissquote with a higher editorial score (4.5/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1996 | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Gland, Switzerland | Warsaw, Poland |
| Min deposit | $1,120 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 1.7 pips | 0.8 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 100:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA DFSA FINMA | FCA CySEC KNF |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 xStation 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Swissquote | Visit XTB |
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
LSE- and WSE-listed with FCA, CySEC, and KNF regulation - exceptional corporate transparency
xStation 5 is one of the best proprietary platforms in retail forex
Zero-commission stock CFDs up to EUR 100,000/month
No minimum deposit on standard accounts
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
Advanced charting tools included
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
Market maker on forex - not suited for raw ECN scalpers
Product breadth narrower than IG or Saxo
Support quality varies outside European hours
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Swissquote | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, XTB ranks higher with a score of 4.5/5 vs 4.2/5 for Swissquote. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Swissquote and XTB may each suit different trader profiles.
XTB offers tighter spreads starting from 0.8 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.
XTB has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Swissquote requires at least $1120. This makes XTB more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Swissquote and XTB 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: XTB has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), 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 XTB 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.
Swissquote supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 5 and XTB offers MetaTrader 4, xStation 5; both support MetaTrader 4; Swissquote exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 5; XTB exclusively offers xStation 5.
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