This comparison pits two regulated brokers against each other. The axis is regulation, stock access, and the share versus CFD model.
Swissquote edges Forex.com on the overall editorial score, due to stronger regulation and broader platform depth.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you want US-accessible share CFDs with MT4/MT5 and a proprietary Web Trader from a single account.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real shares with bank custody and strong FINMA regulation.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote is best for safety & regulation because of FINMA licensing and depositor protection.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads from | 1 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Forex.com | 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 |
The scores are close: Forex.com rates 3.9/5 and Swissquote rates 4.3/5. Swissquote 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.
Forex.com lists tighter spreads from 1, 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.
Forex.com has $100, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes Forex.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Forex.com 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: Forex.com 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.
Forex.com 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.
Forex.com charges $7 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.
Forex.com supports 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.
Neither Forex.com 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 Forex.com 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 is best for active traders thanks to strong platform tools and broad instrument access.
Forex.com is best for beginners due to low minimum deposit and accessible trading.
Swissquote offers global market access with 60 exchanges and 60,000+ instruments.
Forex.com is best for low cost trading due to comparatively lower fees.
Swissquote is best for long-term investors due to real shares with custody and broad exchange access.
| 1.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $15/month (after 12 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | 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 | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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