Two brokers clash over stock investing approaches and global access. The tension centers on commission models, regulation, and platform depth as investors weigh simplicity against breadth.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Stake if you want commission-free trading across US, AU and UK stocks.
Choose if…
Choose Swissquote if you value phone support and access to 60 exchanges.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | $1,000 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 1.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Stake | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Stake 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.
Swissquote starts from 1.7. Current spread data is not available for Stake. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Swissquote requires $1000. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both Stake 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, Swissquote provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Swissquote lists maximum leverage of 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Stake offers commission-free stock trading while Swissquote does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Stake 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.
Stake wins for low-cost trading thanks to commission-free stock access.
Swissquote wins for safety & regulation due to FINMA licence and strong custody protections.
Swissquote wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 and broad instrument access.
Stake wins for beginners with a clean interface and no account minimum.
Swissquote wins for global market access with 60 exchanges.
Stake is best for long-term investors with real share ownership and no account minimum.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | No | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Swissquote edges Stake on editorial score (4.3 vs 3.9) and offers broader platform options and stronger regulatory coverage.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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