Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote vs AvaTrade, 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.
Swissquote and AvaTrade are two leading online brokers with distinct features and regulatory standings. Established in 1996, Swissquote stands out as a publicly traded company and a licensed bank. With a perfect Trust Score rating of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote holds an impressive five Tier-1 licenses, indicating its strong regulatory compliance and reliability. Additionally, the company holds two Tier-2 licenses, further cementing its reputation within the financial sector.
In contrast, AvaTrade, founded in 2006, is not publicly traded and operates independently of a banking license. With a high Trust Score of 94, AvaTrade is still recognized as a highly trusted broker, possessing four Tier-1 licenses alongside three Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers offer regulated services, but Swissquote's status as a bank and higher Trust Score may appeal to those seeking the utmost in confidence and security in their online trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
AvaTrade is the more cost-friendly choice for most traders, earning 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranking #13 out of 63 brokers. Typical EUR/USD spreads are about 0.9 pips (as of June 2024), and eligible professionals can access about 0.6 pips. Swissquote is pricier overall, scoring 3.5/5 stars and ranking #54 out of 63. Its appeal is the Swiss banking umbrella, but that usually means higher trading costs than many discount forex brokers.
Swissquote’s pricing varies by entity. In the U.K., four account types are offered: Standard (EUR/USD from 1.3 pips), Prime (from 0.6 pips—this is a minimum, not an average), Elite (commission-based with lower spreads plus a $5 round‑turn commission, typically best if you deposit $10,000+), and a Professional account that’s similar to Elite but with a lower stop-out level. In Luxembourg, minimum deposits are $1,000 (Standard), $5,000 (Premium), and $50,000 (Prime), with minimum spreads from 1.5 pips down to 0.8 pips. In Switzerland, forex accounts require $1,000 (Standard, from 1.7 pips), $10,000 (Premium, from 1.4 pips), or $50,000 (Prime, from 1.1 pips), with custom pricing negotiable for high-volume traders.
By contrast, AvaTrade’s pricing is simpler and generally sharper for everyday traders: about 0.9 pips on EUR/USD, with no extra commission on standard retail accounts, and around 0.6 pips for elected professionals. Bottom line: If minimizing spreads is your priority, AvaTrade has the edge. If you value a Swiss banking brand and can meet higher deposits (especially for Elite or Prime tiers), Swissquote may still appeal despite its higher costs.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.61 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
Swissquote and AvaTrade both support forex trading via CFDs and spot, but their product lineups differ in key ways. AvaTrade lists more total instruments (about 1,260 vs. 472), while Swissquote offers more forex pairs (80 vs. 53). Swissquote also lets clients buy exchange-traded stocks on U.S. and international exchanges, something AvaTrade does not provide. Both brokers offer copy trading. For crypto, Swissquote supports buying actual coins as well as crypto derivatives, whereas AvaTrade focuses on crypto derivatives only.
For overall range of investments, Swissquote earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while AvaTrade scores 4 stars and ranks #33. Choose AvaTrade if you want a larger overall list of CFD symbols, but consider Swissquote if access to real stocks and actual cryptocurrencies—alongside a broader selection of forex pairs—is a priority.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 Swissquote and AvaTrade, both online brokers provide traders with a wide array of trading platforms and tools designed to enhance the trading experience. For those eager to practice before diving into real trading, both Swissquote and AvaTrade offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to get comfortable with the platforms. Each broker has invested in developing proprietary trading platforms and supports popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Both also cater to users who prefer a traditional setup with Windows-based desktop platforms and have web-based options for on-the-go accessibility. However, AvaTrade pulls ahead slightly in the realm of social trading by offering both DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, services that Swissquote does not provide.
In terms of technical analysis, Swissquote leads with 75 drawing tools compared to AvaTrade's 13, though both brokers lack specifics on the number of technical indicators offered. Both have made it seamless to trade directly from stock charts. When it comes to organizing and customizing watch lists, Swissquote provides 11 columns compared to AvaTrade's 7. Despite these subtle differences, both brokers are highly rated, receiving 4.5 stars for their trading platforms and tools. Traders find them equally competitive, as evidenced by their close rankings on ForexBrokers.com: Swissquote is ranked 12th while AvaTrade is just behind at 13th among 63 brokers.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 80 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 13 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Swissquote and AvaTrade both provide mobile trading apps that are compatible with iPhone and Android devices, enabling traders to stay connected on the go. Both platforms offer real-time stock and forex price alerts, giving users timely updates. While Swissquote excels in auto-saving chart drawings, providing convenience for its users, AvaTrade stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, ensuring seamless integration between the mobile app and the client's online account. Moreover, AvaTrade offers a more extensive array of technical studies for charting, boasting 73 options compared to Swissquote's 30, catering well to those seeking advanced analytical tools.
When it comes to charting functionalities, both Swissquote and AvaTrade have built-in features to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames, offering flexibility to traders analyzing the markets. Although their overall mobile app ratings are tied at 4.5 stars, Swissquote is ranked slightly higher at #12 compared to AvaTrade's #13 out of 63 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Mobile Trading Apps category. Both platforms provide the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring that users can efficiently track their preferred stocks and forex pairs. Each app has its merits, making them strong contenders in the world of mobile trading.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing Swissquote vs AvaTrade for market research: Swissquote delivers daily market commentary alongside forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. It also includes Autochartist for technical setups. AvaTrade skips daily commentary but counters with Trading Central and a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning, and it also streams top-tier news. Both brokers provide an economic calendar, while neither offers TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools.
Both brokers earn 4 stars for Research, but Swissquote ranks higher at #16 versus AvaTrade at #35 out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. Choose Swissquote if you want daily commentary and Autochartist-driven ideas; pick AvaTrade if Trading Central insights and sentiment data are your priorities.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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.
For beginner traders comparing Swissquote vs AvaTrade education, both brokers deliver a full toolkit. Each provides a dedicated forex and CFD education hub with at least 10 articles or videos, live client webinars at least once a month, and a searchable archive so you can replay sessions anytime. New traders get at least 10 video lessons made for beginners, plus at least 10 advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up. Both also include a large trading glossary with 50+ terms to help you learn the language of the markets.
Quality scores are similar—both earn 4 out of 5 stars for Education—yet rankings differ: ForexBrokers.com places AvaTrade at #2 out of 63 brokers in the Education category, compared with Swissquote at #20. If you value a top-ranked learning experience, AvaTrade has the edge; if you simply want a well-stocked library with webinars and videos, either broker can serve beginner needs.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 AvaTrade. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13.
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
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 |
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When comparing Swissquote and AvaTrade for cryptocurrency trading, Swissquote allows buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies in addition to offering cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas AvaTrade provides access only to cryptocurrency derivatives and not the actual cryptocurrencies.
In comparing online brokers Swissquote and AvaTrade, both provide a variety of deposit and withdrawal options including PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but only Swissquote offers ACH or SEPA transfers, giving it an edge in terms of banking flexibility.
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 | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.61 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 80 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 13 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | AvaTrade Review |
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