Swissquote and XTB face off in a market that weighs regulation and custody against cost efficiency and ease of use. The comparison highlights platform strategies and global reach.
Swissquote has the higher editorial score (4.3 vs 4.1) and stronger trust & regulation (4.9 vs 4.6) than XTB.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want institutional-grade regulation and Swiss bank custody.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you prefer commission-free stock trading and a stock screener.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
XTB wins for low-cost trading due to commission-free stock trading up to €100,000 monthly turnover.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1,000 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 1.7 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) | $10/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Swissquote | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Swissquote rates 4.3/5 and XTB rates 4.1/5. 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 XTB. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Swissquote requires $1000. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for XTB.
Both Swissquote and XTB 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Swissquote lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while XTB lists up to 1:5. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB 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 Swissquote and XTB 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 leads in safety and regulation with FINMA oversight and Swiss depositor protection up to CHF 100,000.
XTB wins long-term investing via fractional shares on major US equities.
XTB wins for active traders with xStation 5 stock screener and market scanner.
XTB wins for beginners due to commission-free trades and accessible platform.
Swissquote wins for global market access with 60 exchanges.
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA DFSA FINMA | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | xStation 5 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker