Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote vs ActivTrades, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Founded in 1996, Swissquote stands out as a highly reliable choice for investors, marked by its public trading status and function as a bank. This broker boasts an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, largely due to its five Tier-1 licenses, which are seen as highly trusted, alongside two additional Tier-2 licenses. These credentials reflect Swissquote's strong regulatory framework, appealing to those prioritizing safety and trust in online trading.
ActivTrades, established in 2001, offers a reputable option with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 81. While it is not publicly traded or a bank like Swissquote, it still manages to hold two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a commendable level of trust. Additionally, it has a Tier-2 license, further reinforcing its position as a trusted broker. ActivTrades is a solid choice for investors seeking a responsible and regulated brokerage service.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Swissquote is a reputable option, particularly for those attracted by the prestige of a Swiss banking affiliation. However, its commissions and fees aren't the most competitive, particularly when compared to low-cost forex brokers. The broker's U.K. branch offers lower trading costs and deposit requirements than its Swiss and Luxembourg counterparts, albeit with a limited range of products. In the U.K., an Elite account requires a $10,000 deposit and charges $5 per round-turn trade, offering the best value among Swissquote's options. Spreads on EUR/USD start at 1.3 pips in a Standard account, while Prime account holders can see spreads from 0.6 pips. Meanwhile, Luxembourg and Swiss branches present varied spreads, with minimum deposits ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. Overall, Swissquote earns a 3.5 out of 5-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking 53rd out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
ActivTrades provides a more competitive offer, with spreads generally better than industry averages but still not matching the best in low-cost forex segments. ActivTrades operates primarily through its Individual Account but also provides Professional and Islamic accounts. While it lacks a specialized high-volume trader account, its pricing is straightforward, with spreads remaining consistent across account types. For the EUR/USD pair, the average spread stands at 0.98 pips, although these can vary during trading sessions and particularly during rollover periods. ActivTrades garners a 4-star rating for its commissions and fees and ranks 28th out of 63 brokers based on ForexBrokers.com's assessments.
In summary, both Swissquote and ActivTrades present unique strengths in the area of commissions and fees, with Swissquote's setup appealing to those attracted to Swiss banking prestige and multi-branch flexibility, and ActivTrades offering straightforward pricing structures with more favorable spreads. Your choice may ultimately depend on whether you prioritize renowned bank affiliation or slightly better pricing models.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When evaluating Swissquote and ActivTrades on their range of investment options, both platforms present compelling choices for investors. Swissquote distinguishes itself by offering a broad array of 472 tradeable symbols, including 80 forex pairs, alongside the ability to trade on U.S. stock exchanges where clients can buy shares like Apple. Investors can also access international exchanges to purchase stocks such as Vodafone. The platform extends its versatility by providing options for spot and CFD forex trading, as well as the buying of actual cryptocurrencies. Complementing these offerings, Swissquote supports both copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives. As a result, Swissquote receives a top-tier rating of 5 stars and is ranked second out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its range of investments.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, supplies a more extensive selection of tradeable symbols with a notable count of 1267, though it offers 49 forex pairs, which is fewer compared to Swissquote. This broker permits spot and CFD forex trading and grants access to international markets, enabling investments in companies such as Vodafone. ActivTrades also offers copy trading and the ability to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives. However, it does not offer trading in actual U.S.-listed stocks like Swissquote does. Despite these differences, ActivTrades still earns a respectable 4-star rating and stands at 31st place in the ForexBrokers.com ranking for its investment range.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Swissquote and ActivTrades are both strong contenders when it comes to trading platforms and tools, each offering a variety of services tailored to both beginner and experienced traders. Both brokers provide simulated trading environments through free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice before committing real funds. They each have proprietary platforms developed in-house, alongside offering widely recognized platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Traders on both brokers can take advantage of web-based and Windows-based desktop platforms, with the added benefit of copy trading available for users. However, additional platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not specified for either broker.
When it comes to charting tools, Swissquote has a distinct advantage with 75 drawing tools compared to ActivTrades' 15, providing more options for detailed technical analysis. Both brokers offer the ability to trade directly from stock charts and have equal watch list customization with 11 columns. While Swissquote is rated slightly higher for Trading Platforms and Tools at 4.5 stars compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars, this difference is further highlighted by Swissquote’s ranking of #12 out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades is at #30. These factors make Swissquote a preferred choice for those who rely heavily on a comprehensive suite of trading tools and advanced charting capabilities.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | ||
| ZuluTrade | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Swissquote and ActivTrades, both brokers provide accessible options for iPhone and Android users. Each app supports stock and forex price alerts, enabling traders to stay informed on market movements. With features like watchlist creation with real-time quotes and watchlist syncing across devices, users can seamlessly monitor their investments. Swissquote and ActivTrades offer robust charting capabilities, including the ability to incorporate 30 technical studies, draw trendlines, and view multiple time frames, making technical analysis a breeze on the go.
Swissquote and ActivTrades also keep traders organized with auto-save functions for chart drawings. However, when it comes to user ratings and overall rankings, Swissquote holds a slight edge. With a 4.5-star rating compared to ActivTrades' 4-star accolade, Swissquote is ranked 12th by ForexBrokers.com in the Mobile Trading Apps category, whereas ActivTrades is positioned at 19th. This comparison suggests that while both apps offer comprehensive features, Swissquote might provide a slightly more streamlined and user-friendly mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | ||
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Swissquote and ActivTrades for market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. While Swissquote leverages tools from Autochartist for technical analysis, ActivTrades offers a unique sentiment-based trading tool that indicates the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. Unfortunately, neither broker provides resources from Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. However, both do include an economic calendar that highlights significant global financial events, vital for making informed trading decisions.
Swissquote and ActivTrades both receive a commendable four-star rating for their research tools, though Swissquote is ranked higher at 16th place compared to ActivTrades' 30th position, according to ForexBrokers.com. This difference in ranking indicates that while both brokers offer competent research platforms, Swissquote holds a slight edge in overall market research capability. Nonetheless, traders can find solid tools and insights at both platforms, making them strong contenders for those seeking comprehensive market research in their trading endeavors.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | |
| TipRanks | ||
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners in forex and CFD trading, both Swissquote and ActivTrades have a lot to offer. Each platform provides more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on helping you understand forex or CFDs. They both also host regular monthly webinars, allowing every budding trader to learn in a live setting. If you miss a session, don’t worry—both brokers maintain a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars for easy access to valuable trading knowledge at your convenience. Additionally, both offer at least ten educational videos specifically targeted at beginners, making it easier to get up to speed with essential trading concepts.
Swissquote and ActivTrades also cater to more advanced traders with a collection of educational videos meant for experienced traders. For those needing to brush up on terminology, Swissquote provides an investor dictionary covering over 50 investing terms, while ActivTrades does not offer this feature. In terms of educational ratings, both earn four out of five stars, demonstrating their strong commitment to customer education. However, Swissquote holds a higher rank in the education category by ForexBrokers.com, sitting at 21st out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades is ranked 38th. Both brokers present excellent educational opportunities, yet Swissquote edges out slightly in comprehensive offerings and industry ranking.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Swissquote is better than ActivTrades. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
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Swissquote allows users to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas ActivTrades enables the buying of cryptocurrency derivatives but does not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
When comparing Swissquote to ActivTrades for online brokerage services, Swissquote offers a broader range of options for depositing and withdrawing funds, supporting ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transactions, whereas ActivTrades provides Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options, without offering ACH, SEPA, or PayPal services.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
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