Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs BDSwiss, 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.
FOREX.com and BDSwiss, both online brokers, differ significantly in their regulatory standings and trust ratings. FOREX.com, founded in 1999, holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. This extensive regulatory footprint contributes to its perfect Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, reflecting a high level of trust. As a publicly traded company, FOREX.com benefits from the transparency and scrutiny that comes with being listed on a stock exchange, although it is not a bank.
On the other hand, BDSwiss, established in 2012, holds just one Tier-1 license and does not possess any Tier-2 licenses. This lower regulatory presence results in a Trust Score of 73, indicating an average risk level. Unlike FOREX.com, BDSwiss is not publicly traded and also operates without the additional oversight of being a bank. These differences are key considerations for individuals comparing the two brokers for their online trading needs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
FOREX.com charges vary by account and region. In the U.S., the Standard account’s typical EUR/USD spread is about 1.4 pips (July 2023), while outside the U.S. we observed an average of 0.74 pips in July 2023. Its commission-based Raw account posts typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.13 pips (Feb 2024) plus a $7 round-turn commission per standard lot (about 0.7 pips), putting the base all-in cost near 0.83 pips before any rebates. Volume rebates range from $2 to $9 per million; however, unless you trade more than $50 million per month, our findings suggest the Commission account’s all-in costs end up roughly in line with the Standard account for most U.S. traders. FOREX.com earns 4.5/5 stars for Commissions and Fees and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers.
BDSwiss also offers tiered pricing, but its spreads trend higher than industry leaders. The Classic account lists about 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, the VIP account lowers that to about 1.2 pips, and the Raw account shows 0.3 pips plus a $5-per-side commission ($10 round turn), for an effective cost near 1.3 pips. BDSwiss receives 4/5 stars for Commissions and Fees and ranks #31 out of 63 brokers.
Comparing FOREX.com vs BDSwiss on costs: FOREX.com’s Raw account can be cheaper for active traders (about 0.83 pips all-in at the base tier, with potential rebates) than BDSwiss’s Raw setup (about 1.3 pips all-in). Among spread-only accounts, BDSwiss VIP (about 1.2 pips) can edge out FOREX.com’s U.S. Standard account (about 1.4 pips), while BDSwiss Classic (about 1.5 pips) is pricier. Traders outside the U.S. may find FOREX.com even more competitive on spreads, based on observed averages.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FOREX.com vs BDSwiss: For range of investments, FOREX.com lists about 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, while BDSwiss offers around 1,081 symbols and 53 pairs. Both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts and provide cryptocurrency trading via derivatives, but neither allows you to buy real crypto or exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international exchanges. Copy trading is available at BDSwiss, but not at FOREX.com.
For this category, FOREX.com earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks 7th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, compared with BDSwiss at 4 out of 5 stars and a 35th-place ranking. In short, choose FOREX.com if you want more markets and currency pairs; pick BDSwiss if copy trading matters to you.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | 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 evaluating online brokers based on their trading platforms and tools, both FOREX.com and BDSwiss offer user-friendly experiences with some distinct features. Both platforms provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing new traders to practice without financial risk. Each broker has developed their own proprietary platform and offers popular tools like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms. However, BDSwiss also enables users to engage in copy trading, which is not available on FOREX.com.
In terms of charting tools, FOREX.com shines with 239 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from charts, compared to BDSwiss's 15 drawing tools. Additionally, the customization of watch lists is more extensive with FOREX.com, offering 20 fields compared to BDSwiss's 7. These advantages contribute to FOREX.com's superior 5-star rating for trading platforms and tools, ranking it 7th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, BDSwiss earns a respectable 4-star rating, but ranks lower at 24th. Overall, both platforms cater well to traders, but FOREX.com edges ahead with a broader toolset and higher ratings.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both FOREX.com and BDSwiss provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring easy access for traders on the go. They both offer stock and forex price alerts alongside the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. While both apps include essential features like the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple timeframes, FOREX.com stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing capability, which allows seamless updates across devices. Additionally, FOREX.com offers 88 technical studies in its charting options compared to the 30 provided by BDSwiss, granting more in-depth analysis tools to its users.
When it comes to user experience and satisfaction, FOREX.com earns a top rating of 5 stars, placing it third out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, BDSwiss receives a commendable 4-star rating but ranks 24th, indicating room for improvement. The ease of use and comprehensive charting tools present in FOREX.com’s app make it an appealing choice for traders seeking a more detailed and synchronized trading experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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.
Both FOREX.com and BDSwiss provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed, but only FOREX.com integrates top-tier forex news sources like Bloomberg and Reuters into its offering. While BDSwiss enhances its research capabilities with tools like Autochartist, FOREX.com matches up by incorporating Trading Central's technical analytics and a unique sentiment-based trading tool that reveals the position ratios across different currency pairs. Both brokers also offer comprehensive economic calendars covering global news events, providing traders with essential insight into market movements.
In terms of overall research quality, FOREX.com achieves a higher rating of 4.5 stars, outpacing BDSwiss, which holds a solid 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com ranks #9 out of 63 brokers in the research category, emphasizing its strong position in providing valuable market insights. BDSwiss, while slightly lower at #24, still provides a competitive research platform. This makes FOREX.com a favored choice for traders looking for a richer, news-integrated research experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to education for beginners, both FOREX.com and BDSwiss provide well-rounded learning centers. Each broker offers at least 10 forex and CFD lessons, runs monthly client webinars, and keeps a searchable archive of past sessions so you can rewatch on your schedule. Both also feature 10+ beginner videos, 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up, and an investor dictionary with 50+ terms to help you learn the lingo.
For newcomers deciding between the two, the main difference is recognition for education quality. On ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Education, while BDSwiss scores 4 stars and ranks #22. In short, both are solid for learning the basics through videos, webinars, and definitions, but FOREX.com has the edge if you want a platform with higher-rated educational content.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FOREX.com is better than BDSwiss. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
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Both FOREX.com and BDSwiss provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither platform offers the ability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
FOREX.com and BDSwiss both support ACH or SEPA transfers, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but differ in their offerings where FOREX.com supports PayPal and BDSwiss supports Skrill, providing varied options for online broker account funding.
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 | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | 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 | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $10-$5000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | BDSwiss Review |
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