In this matchup, FXTM and Swissquote clash over exchange breadth, share ownership, and regulatory strength. The outcome hinges on how you weigh regulation, platforms, and international access.
Swissquote leads on editorial score (4.3 vs 3.7), backed by stronger regulation, broader exchange access, and more capable platforms.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose FXTM if…
Choose FXTM if you want 180+ share CFDs via MT4/MT5 and FXTM Invest copy trading.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real shares with custody across 60 exchanges under FINMA protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote wins for safety with FINMA licensing and Swiss depositor protection.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads from | 1.5 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXTM | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Swissquote rates 4.3/5 versus 3.7/5 for FXTM. Swissquote edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
FXTM lists tighter spreads from 1.5, 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.
FXTM has no minimum deposit, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes FXTM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXTM 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: FXTM has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FXTM 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.
FXTM 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 FXTM 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 FXTM 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 wins for active traders with a proprietary platform and broader instrument access.
Swissquote offers broader global access with 60 exchanges.
Swissquote wins for long-term investors with real shares and custody across many exchanges.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | 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 FSCA CySEC FSC | 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 3.7 / 5
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