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.
When comparing the online brokers Swissquote and ActivTrades, several key differences emerge in terms of reliability and regulatory oversight. Swissquote, founded in 1996 and publicly traded, also operates as a bank. It holds a stellar ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating it is highly trusted. Swissquote boasts 5 Tier-1 licenses, which signify the highest level of trust, alongside 2 Tier-2 licenses that further bolster its reliable status.
On the other hand, ActivTrades, established in 2001, is a private entity and not a bank. It carries a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 81, categorizing it as a trusted broker but with a slightly lower trust level than Swissquote. ActivTrades holds 2 Tier-1 licenses, suggesting a high degree of trust, and 1 Tier-2 license. While both brokers offer a secure experience, Swissquote's higher trust score and additional licenses highlight its reputation for reliability.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing Swissquote and ActivTrades reveals distinct differences in the variety of investment options they offer. Swissquote allows for both CFD and spot contract forex trading, with access to 472 tradeable symbols including a notable 80 forex pairs. Beyond forex, Swissquote supports buying actual shares from U.S. exchanges like Apple as well as international markets such as the London Stock Exchange. They cater to crypto enthusiasts by providing options for both delivered cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives. Swissquote also facilitates copy trading, appealing to investors looking to leverage successful strategies from others. With these extensive offerings, Swissquote achieves a 5-star rating and is ranked 2nd out of 63 brokers for its range of investments by ForexBrokers.com.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, also supports CFD and spot contract forex trading but provides a broader selection of 1267 tradeable symbols, which includes 49 forex pairs. While it does not allow for direct trading of U.S. equities, investors can still access international securities and engage with cryptocurrency derivatives. Furthermore, ActivTrades offers copy trading services, thereby giving investors various avenues to explore trading strategies. Despite having a solid array of investment choices, especially in tradeable symbols, ActivTrades earns a 4-star rating and ranks 31st for its investment range according to ForexBrokers.com.
| 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 | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing the online trading platforms and tools offered by Swissquote and ActivTrades, both brokers provide a rich selection of features to support traders of varying levels. Each offers a simulated (paper) trading option through a free virtual demo account, allowing new users to practice without financial risk. Both companies have developed proprietary platforms and feature Windows-based desktop downloads as well as convenient web-based platforms. For those interested in copy trading, both Swissquote and ActivTrades provide this service. Additionally, they both support popular third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), enhancing their flexibility and appeal. However, neither broker incorporates DupliTrade or ZuluTrade into their mix of offerings.
In terms of charting tools, Swissquote stands out with 75 drawing tools compared to ActivTrades' 15, offering more options for technical analysis. Both brokers allow trading directly from a stock chart, ensuring ease of use for swift decision-making. They match evenly with 11 columns for watch lists, streamlining the ability to track and organize market data effectively. For trading platforms and tools, Swissquote is rated higher, scoring 4.5 stars and ranked at #12 of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, in contrast to ActivTrades, which holds a rating of 4 stars and is ranked #30. These distinctions highlight Swissquote's slightly more comprehensive offerings and higher user satisfaction in the trading platform and tools category.
| 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 | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| 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 platforms are available for iPhone and Android users, making them accessible to a broad audience. Each app supports stock and forex price alerts, enabling traders to stay informed, and offers 30 technical studies for in-depth chart analysis. Both apps also provide essential features like drawing trendlines, saving chart drawings automatically, and switching between various time frames such as daily or weekly views. However, a limitation shared by both is the absence of watchlist symbol syncing between the app and online accounts, which could be an inconvenience for users who frequently modify their watchlists. Despite this, both platforms allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring users are kept up-to-date with market movements.
In terms of user ratings and industry rankings, Swissquote's mobile app edges out the competition with a 4.5-star rating, making it a slightly more favored choice compared to ActivTrades, which holds a 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote is ranked #12 out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, whereas ActivTrades sits at #19. This distinction may be attributed to Swissquote's refined user interface or customer service, encouraging traders to opt for their app over others. Both apps offer a range of similar features, making either a solid choice for mobile traders, but Swissquote's higher rating and ranking might tilt the decision in its favor for those seeking a highly regarded trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| 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.
Swissquote and ActivTrades both excel in providing daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. When it comes to analysis tools, Swissquote offers research tools from Autochartist, giving traders enhanced market analysis capabilities, while ActivTrades does not offer tools from Autochartist. Neither platform supports Trading Central tools or leverages the expertise of TipRanks and Acuity Trading, but ActivTrades offers a sentiment-based trading tool to give insight into market positioning, a feature Swissquote does not offer. Both brokerages provide an economic calendar to keep investors informed about global news events, ensuring traders have access to important economic data for informed decision-making.
In terms of overall research ratings, both brokers achieve a solid four-star score and feature equally on ForexBrokers.com with Swissquote ranked at 16th place and ActivTrades at 30th, out of 63 brokers reviewed for research capabilities. This indicates that while both offer high-quality market insights, Swissquote edges out slightly due to its more advanced technical analysis tools. Whether you prefer comprehensive research tools or insights into market sentiment, both Swissquote and ActivTrades have commendable offerings to enhance your trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners at Swissquote and ActivTrades, both online brokers offer a wealth of materials geared towards forex and CFD education. Each platform provides over ten educational pieces, ranging from articles and videos to archived webinars. Aspiring traders can find regular online webinars, occurring monthly, on both Swissquote and ActivTrades, alongside a searchable archive of recorded sessions. These resources are complemented by more than ten beginner videos on trading topics, making both brokers a solid choice for those new to the field of trading.
For traders seeking more advanced educational content, Swissquote and ActivTrades also offer over ten advanced videos aimed at experienced traders. However, Swissquote distinguishes itself with the inclusion of an investor dictionary containing definitions for at least 50 investing terms. This feature adds valuable context, especially for new traders building their foundational knowledge. In terms of overall rankings, Swissquote outranks ActivTrades in educational offerings, coming in at #21 compared to ActivTrades’ #38 in the ForexBrokers.com list. Both brokers receive a consistent four-star rating for their educational services, suggesting a comparable quality of learning resources available to their clients.
| 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 | No |
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
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ActivTrades
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
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Swissquote allows users to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies and offers cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas ActivTrades only provides access to cryptocurrency derivatives without the option to buy the actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
When comparing online brokers Swissquote and ActivTrades, Swissquote offers more flexibility by providing ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, whereas ActivTrades supports only Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, lacking ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options.
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 |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | 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 | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| 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 Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | 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 | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Swissquote Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | ActivTrades Review |
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