Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets 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.
Founded in 2010, ThinkMarkets is an online brokerage known for its solid regulatory credentials. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 92 out of 99, ThinkMarkets falls within the highly trusted bracket. The company holds 5 Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining high standards of regulation. Additionally, ThinkMarkets possesses 2 Tier-2 licenses, further solidifying its reputation as a reliable platform for investors. It should be noted that ThinkMarkets is neither publicly traded nor operates as a bank.
In contrast, BDSwiss began operations in 2012 and carries a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 73 out of 99, placing it in the average risk category. While BDSwiss holds only 1 Tier-1 license and lacks any Tier-2 licenses, it is not publicly traded and does not function as a bank. This regulatory standing indicates that while BDSwiss offers some level of trust, investors may want to compare options based on their risk preferences and investment needs.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
When comparing ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers have their unique pricing structures. ThinkMarkets boasts a commendable 4-star rating but lacks specific average spread data, making it challenging to evaluate its cost-effectiveness fully. In terms of overall ranking for commissions and fees, ThinkMarkets stands at #47 out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, BDSwiss offers good order execution statistics, although its spreads can be on the higher side compared to other industry players. For its Classic account, the spread is 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD currency pair, which some might find costly. The Raw account offers a more competitive pricing structure with a spread of 0.3 pips combined with a $5 commission per side, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3. Meanwhile, the VIP account provides a spread of 1.2 pips overall. BDSwiss also holds a notable 4-star rating and is ranked higher at #30 among 63 brokers for its commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
When comparing the range of investment options between ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss, both platforms enable users to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts. ThinkMarkets stands out by offering a wider array of tradeable symbols, boasting 4000 compared to BDSwiss's 1081. While BDSwiss provides a slightly more extensive selection of forex pairs with 53, ThinkMarkets offers 46, ensuring traders have substantial choices on both platforms. Neither broker provides the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, focusing instead on cryptocurrency derivatives. Additionally, both allow for copy trading, which can appeal to those looking to mirror the strategies of accomplished investors.
In terms of exchange trading, ThinkMarkets offers a unique advantage by allowing investments in securities on international exchanges, whereas BDSwiss does not. Neither broker facilitates trading of exchange-traded securities in U.S. markets. Considering these offerings, ThinkMarkets receives a higher score for its range of investments, rated at 4.5 stars, ranking 23rd out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss, with a rating of 4 stars, is ranked at 34th. This highlights ThinkMarkets as a slightly more versatile option for investors seeking diverse international trading opportunities.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
Both ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss are well-regarded brokers offering strong options in terms of trading platforms and tools. Each provides traders with a free virtual demo account, enabling simulated trading to hone skills without financial risk. Both brokers have developed proprietary trading platforms in-house while also supporting popular options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. For those who prefer trading on the go or from their desktops, both ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss offer web-based platforms and Windows-based desktop downloads. Tools like copy trading and the ability to trade directly from stock charts are available from both brokers; however, neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
When it comes to charting, ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss both offer 15 drawing tools, yet the offering of technical indicators was not specified. ThinkMarkets stands out by providing a more detailed watch list system with 15 customizable columns compared to BDSwiss's 7. While both brokers received 4 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, BDSwiss holds a slightly higher rank at #24, compared to ThinkMarkets at #28, according to ForexBrokers.com’s evaluation of 63 brokers. Whether prioritizing range in watch list configuration or seeking a slightly higher industry ranking might sway a trader's choice, both platforms clearly stand as competent, versatile options for traders.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing the mobile trading apps of ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss reveals several insights for traders. Both platforms provide iPhone and Android apps, allowing users to trade on the go. They each offer real-time price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and view multiple time frames, catering to the needs of active traders. However, ThinkMarkets stands out with 94 technical studies available for charting compared to BDSwiss's 30, appealing to users who rely on technical analysis. While both apps receive a rating of 4 stars for their mobile trading features, ThinkMarkets holds a slightly higher ranking (#20) compared to BDSwiss (#24) in ForexBrokers.com's evaluation of mobile trading apps.
Despite offering real-time quotes in watchlists, both ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss lack watchlist symbol syncing, a feature that could further streamline trading experiences. They do, however, offer the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings, ensuring that traders’ analytical work is preserved. Overall, both brokers provide solid mobile trading platforms, but those deeply invested in technical studies might prefer ThinkMarkets for its more extensive charting options, while others may find BDSwiss’s offering equally satisfying.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | 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 ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss provide daily market commentary, ensuring investors keep a pulse on market movements. ThinkMarkets stands out by offering forex news from esteemed outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters, while BDSwiss does not include such high-level sources. On the technical analysis front, BDSwiss leads with tools from renowned companies Autochartist and Trading Central, providing users with in-depth market insights. Conversely, ThinkMarkets does not use these specific tools, although it compensates with a sentiment-based trading tool to gauge market sentiment across various currency pairs, a feature not available at BDSwiss.
Both brokers offer comprehensive economic calendars, assisting traders in tracking critical global news events. ThinkMarkets enhances its research suite with tools from Acuity Trading, while BDSwiss does not. Despite these offerings, ThinkMarkets has a research rating of 3.5 stars and ranks #50 among 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, BDSwiss boasts a higher research rating of 4 stars, ranking it #24, thus positioning itself as a more versatile choice for those seeking extensive market research.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners at ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss, both brokers offer a comprehensive range of materials to help newcomers understand forex and CFDs trading. Each platform provides more than 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars. Both ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss host monthly educational webinars and have a searchable archive of recorded sessions. Additionally, they cater to different levels of expertise with over 10 beginner-focused and advanced videos that cover a variety of trading topics. To aid in understanding terminology, both brokers offer an investor dictionary with over 50 investment terms defined.
Though both brokers provide extensive educational support, there is a notable difference in their ratings. ThinkMarkets is rated 3.5 stars for education, whereas BDSwiss has earned 4 stars. Furthermore, in the ForexBrokers.com ranking of 63 brokers for education, ThinkMarkets is positioned at #52, while BDSwiss is ranked higher at #19. This suggests that although both platforms offer valuable educational content, BDSwiss may have a slight edge in terms of overall educational effectiveness and user satisfaction.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 ThinkMarkets is better than BDSwiss. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 |
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Both ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss do not offer the ability to buy delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
ThinkMarkets and BDSwiss both support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for depositing and withdrawing account funds; however, only BDSwiss offers ACH or SEPA transfers, while neither broker provides PayPal as a payment option.
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 | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $10-$5000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 94 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | ThinkMarkets | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review |
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