Two regulated brokers contrast in style: Swissquote combines bank-grade custody with 60 exchanges, while ThinkMarkets emphasizes mobile CFD trading across 3,000+ shares.
Swissquote edges ThinkMarkets on the editorial score due to stronger regulation and wider exchange access. ThinkMarkets offers mobile-first CFD trading and 3,000+ CFDs, but Swissquote provides real shares with Swiss custody.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real shares with Swiss custody across 60 exchanges.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want a mobile-first CFD platform with 3,000+ share CFDs and social copying.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote demonstrates safety with FINMA regulation and Swiss depositor protection.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1,000 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 1.7 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Swissquote | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Swissquote rates 4.3/5 versus 3.8/5 for ThinkMarkets. Swissquote edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ThinkMarkets lists tighter spreads from 0.4, 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.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Swissquote and ThinkMarkets 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: ThinkMarkets 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.
Swissquote lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets 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.
Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to TradingView.
Neither Swissquote nor ThinkMarkets 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 Swissquote and ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets offers mobile-first trading with ThinkTrader and 3,000+ CFDs.
ThinkMarkets' $0 min deposit lowers entry barriers for new investors.
Swissquote provides access to 60 exchanges worldwide.
ThinkMarkets offers a $0 minimum deposit for easy start.
Swissquote supports long-term investing with real shares and custody.
| N/A |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity fee | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| 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 | DFSA FCA FINMA | FSCA JFSA FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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