Two brokers clash over regulation credibility, platform breadth, and global stock access. The tension centers on cost entry vs safety and depth of market reach.
Swissquote edges Exness on the editorial score (4.3 vs 3.6) due to stronger trust/regulation and platform depth. Exness offers ultra-low entry with a $1 minimum deposit.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Exness if…
Choose Exness if you want a $1 minimum deposit and CFDs across 5 exchanges.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real share ownership across 60 exchanges with strong FINMA regulation.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote maintains FINMA regulation and Swiss Depositor Protection up to CHF 100,000.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads from | 0.3 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | 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 |
Swissquote rates 4.3/5 versus 3.6/5 for Exness. Swissquote edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Exness lists tighter spreads from 0.3, 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.
Exness has $1, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes Exness more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Exness 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: Exness requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Exness 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.
Exness charges $3.5 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Swissquote are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Swissquote has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither Exness 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 Exness 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.
Swissquote provides stronger platforms and broader exchange access.
Exness provides an ultra-low entry with a $1 minimum deposit.
Swissquote offers access to 60 exchanges, while Exness covers 5.
Exness provides an ultra-low entry with a $1 minimum deposit.
Swissquote offers real share ownership and custody across 60 exchanges.
| 0.65 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA FCA OJK CySEC | DFSA FCA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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