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 |
Comparing commissions and fees, ActivTrades generally comes out cheaper, with a 4 stars rating and a #29 rank out of 63 brokers for this category. Swissquote is pricier overall, earning 3.5 stars and ranking #54 out of 63. For a popular pair like EUR/USD, ActivTrades reported a 0.98-pip average spread in May 2024, while Swissquote’s spreads vary by entity and account type and tend to be higher.
Swissquote’s pricing depends on whether you open an account with its U.K., Luxembourg, or Swiss entity. In the U.K., active traders who can deposit at least $10,000 may prefer the commission-based Elite account, which pairs lower spreads with a $5 round-turn commission; the Standard account starts from 1.3 pips on EUR/USD, and Prime lists a 0.6-pip minimum (not an average). In Luxembourg, minimum spreads range from 1.5 pips (Standard, $1,000 minimum) to 0.8 pips (Prime, $50,000). In Switzerland, the Standard account starts from 1.7 pips on EUR/USD ($1,000 minimum), Premium from 1.4 pips ($10,000), and Prime from 1.1 pips ($50,000). Custom pricing can be negotiated for high volumes.
ActivTrades keeps things simpler with one main Individual Account, plus Professional and Islamic options; spreads are the same across these account types and there’s no separate high-volume or active trader pricing. Actual costs depend on the assets you trade and the platform you choose, and spreads can widen during quieter periods like rollover—common across brokers. Overall, ActivTrades’ spreads are slightly better than the industry average but not the lowest available, while Swissquote typically carries a premium unless you qualify for its U.K. Elite setup.
| 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.
Swissquote and ActivTrades both offer forex trading (CFD or spot), copy trading, and access to international exchange-traded shares. ActivTrades lists more total instruments—about 1,267 vs Swissquote’s 472—so it’s appealing if you want a wide catalog of markets in one place. That said, Swissquote is stronger for currency traders, with 80 forex pairs compared to ActivTrades’ 49. Swissquote also lets you buy real, exchange-traded U.S. stocks (like Apple on NASDAQ), which ActivTrades doesn’t support.
If you trade crypto, Swissquote offers both delivered cryptocurrencies and crypto derivatives, while ActivTrades limits you to crypto derivatives. Reflecting these differences, ForexBrokers.com rates Swissquote 5 stars for Range of Investments (ranked #2 of 63) and ActivTrades 4 stars (ranked #32). In short: choose ActivTrades for a larger overall list of tradable symbols, and pick Swissquote for deeper forex coverage, real U.S. and global shares, and the option to buy actual crypto.
| 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.
Swissquote vs ActivTrades: both brokers offer free demo (paper) accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each supports copy trading and the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Neither integrates DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Both let you place trades directly from charts, and each provides 11 watchlist columns.
For charting, Swissquote lists 75 drawing tools versus 15 at ActivTrades; indicator counts weren’t specified. In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote earned 4.5/5 stars and ranked #12 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while ActivTrades received 4/5 stars and ranked #32. If you want more drawing tools and a higher-rated toolset, Swissquote has the edge; if you simply need MT4/MT5 alongside a proprietary platform and a free demo, ActivTrades is a solid pick.
| 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 vs ActivTrades: both brokers deliver daily market commentary, stream forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and include an economic calendar to track key events. Where they differ is in extra tools. Swissquote offers Autochartist for technical pattern scanning, while ActivTrades does not. ActivTrades counters with a built-in sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long and short positions; Swissquote lacks this. Neither broker provides Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading integrations.
In overall research quality, both earn 4 out of 5 stars, but Swissquote holds a higher position in ForexBrokers.com’s rankings—16th out of 63 brokers—compared with ActivTrades at 31st. If you value automated chart pattern insights, Swissquote has the edge. If you prefer sentiment data to gauge market positioning, ActivTrades may suit you better.
| 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.
Both Swissquote and ActivTrades deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFD education. Each broker offers well over 10 learning pieces, including articles and videos, plus monthly client webinars with a searchable archive of past sessions. New traders will appreciate that both brands provide at least 10 beginner videos to build core skills, along with 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper. Each broker earns a 4-star Education rating, making either a solid choice for structured learning through videos and webinars.
Where they differ is in extra study tools and overall standing. Swissquote includes an investor dictionary with 50+ definitions, which is handy when you’re learning new terms; ActivTrades does not offer this glossary. In ForexBrokers.com’s Education rankings, Swissquote places #20 out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades comes in at #38. If a built-in trading glossary and a higher category rank matter to you, Swissquote has the edge; if you mainly want a steady stream of videos and webinars, ActivTrades still measures up.
| 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
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
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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 |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
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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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Swissquote | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| 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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