This comparison pits GO Markets and Swissquote against each other on regulation, exchange access, and platform breadth. The tension centers on real share ownership versus CFDs and global reach.
Swissquote edges GO Markets on overall score and regulation, offering real shares and broader exchange access under FINMA, while GO Markets remains CFD-only.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you want a lower $200 minimum deposit and access to MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real share ownership across 60 exchanges with Swiss bank custody and a proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote wins with FINMA-regulated banking and custody protections.
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO 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 | 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 3.5/5 for GO Markets. Swissquote edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
GO 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.
GO Markets has $200, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes GO Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO 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: GO Markets requires a lower minimum deposit ($200), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
GO Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
GO Markets charges $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.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader. Swissquote has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither GO 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 GO 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.
GO Markets wins with multiple platforms including MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
GO Markets wins with a lower entry barrier via $200 minimum deposit.
Swissquote wins with access to 60 exchanges under Swiss custody.
Swissquote wins for real share ownership and custody advantages.
| 0.5 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 FSC | DFSA FCA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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