FP Markets and Swissquote face off on regulation, platform depth, and global stock access. The tension lies between stronger regulation and custody versus broader exchange coverage.
Swissquote edges FP Markets on the overall editorial score, supported by stronger regulation and bank-grade custody. FP Markets remains strong for platform breadth and CFDs, but Swissquote's regulatory protections earn the advantage.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose FP Markets if…
Choose FP Markets if you want 24/5 live chat support. You also benefit from no platform fee for standard share CFDs via IRESS.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you prioritise global exchange access with 60 exchanges. You also value bank-grade custody under FINMA.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote tops safety and regulation with FINMA oversight and CHF 100,000 depositor protection.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FP Markets | 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 | Pass | 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: FP Markets rates 4.1/5 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.
FP Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, 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.
FP Markets has $100, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes FP Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FP Markets 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: FP Markets 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.
FP Markets 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.
FP Markets charges $6 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.
FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. FP Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView. Swissquote has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither FP Markets 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 FP Markets 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.
FP Markets wins for active traders with IRESS DMA access and multiple platforms.
FP Markets wins for beginners with a $100 minimum deposit and simple platform access.
Swissquote wins for global access with 60 exchanges and bank-grade custody.
FP Markets wins for low-cost trading, since standard share CFDs incur no platform fee.
Swissquote wins long-term investors with real share ownership and custody across 60 exchanges.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi | 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 | ASIC CySEC | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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