AvaTradevs
SwissquoteStock Broker Comparison
Two well‑established brokers, AvaTrade and Swissquote, square off over regulation strength, share access and platform depth. The clash centers on cost structure and international exchange reach as the verdict looms.
Our Verdict
Swissquote winsby 0.5 pts
Swissquote is the editorial winner with the higher overall score than AvaTrade.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1AvaTrade offers 24/5 live chat support.
- 2Swissquote provides research tools and stock screener.
- 3Exchange coverage differs: Swissquote covers 60 exchanges, AvaTrade 10.
Who should choose AvaTrade vs Swissquote?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you value 24/5 live chat support. It covers 10 exchanges.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want advanced research tools and a stock screener.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Swissquote wins safety & regulation with FINMA licensing and Swiss bank custody.
Best for active traders
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
AvaTrade vs Swissquote: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $100▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
| Deposit fee |
AvaTrade vs Swissquote Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fixed spread pricing on 600+ stock CFDs, cost predictability for systematic traders
- Available on MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, and DupliTrade copy-trading platform
- Regulated by CBI, ASIC, FSA (Japan), and FSRA (Abu Dhabi)
- Short selling available on all share CFDs
Cons
- CFDs only, no real stock ownership, ISA, or dividend reinvestment programme
AvaTrade vs Swissquote: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
AvaTrade
criteria win
1
Swissquote
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AvaTrade | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
AvaTrade vs Swissquote: Frequently Asked Questions
Swissquote rates 4.3/5 versus 3.8/5 for AvaTrade. Swissquote edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AvaTrade lists tighter spreads from 0.9, compared with Swissquote's 1.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
AvaTrade has $100, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes AvaTrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade 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: AvaTrade 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.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Swissquote lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade.
Neither AvaTrade nor Swissquote is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both AvaTrade and Swissquote are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
