Two established brokers clash on regulation, costs, and platforms. Swissquote emphasizes FINMA-backed security and a broad asset range, while XTB highlights strong European regulation and a top proprietary platform.
XTB edges Swissquote on the editorial score, reflecting a higher overall rating.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you prioritize FINMA regulation and bank-level fund security.
Choose XTB if…
Choose Swissquote if you want broad asset coverage including real stocks and bonds. Choose XTB if you want spreads from 0.8 pips and low-cost trading. Choose XTB if you value the xStation 5 proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
XTB offers tighter spreads from 0.80 pips vs 1.70 pips for Swissquote, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
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
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 |
The scores are close: Swissquote rates 4.2/5 and XTB rates 4.5/5. XTB 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.
XTB starts from 0.8 pips, tighter than Swissquote's 1.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
XTB has no minimum deposit, 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. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: XTB 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.
Swissquote lists maximum leverage of 100:1, while XTB lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
Swissquote wins for safety, holding FINMA regulation and bank-level fund security.
XTB wins for active traders due to lower spreads and broad instrument access.
XTB is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.80 pips.
XTB wins for platform choice with xStation 5 and MT4 support.
Swissquote wins for instrument variety with real stocks, bonds, and options.
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▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1.7 pips | 0.8 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 100:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) | €10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA DFSA FINMA | FCA CySEC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | xStation 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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 appropriate for larger, more sophisticated accounts
Inactivity fee applies
No 24/5 live chat
Cons
Market maker on forex, not appropriate 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
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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