Two brokers duel over platform capability, international reach, and cost. The tension pits US-focused active trading against broad global access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose E*TRADE if you want commission-free US stocks and ETFs, extended trading hours, and powerful options analytics.
Choose if…
Choose Swissquote if you need access to 60 exchanges with real shares, strong regulation, and Swiss custody protections.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | $1,000 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | E*TRADE | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
E*TRADE and Swissquote share the same editorial score of 4.3/5. One concrete differentiator: platform availability and account types differ between them.
Swissquote starts from 1.7. Current spread data is not available for E*TRADE. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Swissquote requires $1000. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for E*TRADE.
Both E*TRADE 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, Swissquote provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
E*TRADE lists maximum leverage of 1:4, 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.
E*TRADE supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
E*TRADE offers commission-free stock trading while Swissquote does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Swissquote scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
E*TRADE is best for low cost trading due to commission-free stocks and ETFs.
Swissquote wins for safety & regulation with FINMA oversight and bank-level custody protections.
E*TRADE supports dividend reinvestment to aid long-term growth.
E*TRADE suits active traders with Power platform and advanced options analytics.
E*TRADE is better for beginners with no account minimum and straightforward entry.
Swissquote gains with access to 60 exchanges and robust custody.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transfer | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free ACH; $25 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
E*TRADE and Swissquote are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is the exchange breadth and commission model, with Swissquote supporting 60 exchanges and E*TRADE offering commission-free stocks and ETFs.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
Score 4.3 / 5
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