Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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.
Tickmill, established in 2014, and BDSwiss, founded in 2012, are both private online brokers, not listed on stock exchanges and neither operates as a bank. A key element of their reliability comes from their regulatory licenses. Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, which positions them as a trusted broker with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86 out of 99. This indicates that Tickmill is considered a trusted brokerage option according to ForexBrokers.com's rating system.
In comparison, BDSwiss holds one Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses, earning it a Trust Score of 73. This score places BDSwiss in the average risk category. While both Tickmill and BDSwiss do not trade publicly and aren't banks, Tickmill's higher score suggests marginally better trustworthiness in terms of regulatory standing and overall perceived risk.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
Tickmill and BDSwiss offer competitive environments for traders, each with distinct advantages in commissions and fees. Tickmill provides two main account types: Classic and Raw. The Raw account is known for its low spreads and a newly updated commission structure that stands at $3 per side, totaling $6 per standard lot. Despite this increase, Tickmill remains a favored choice among active traders, thanks to its low average spreads. Its Classic account is commission-free, though its spread is relatively higher at 1.76 pips as of August 2023. Tickmill's ranking of #4 out of 63 brokers, and a 5-star rating for commissions and fees, further emphasizes its attractiveness to cost-conscious traders.
BDSwiss, on the other hand, offers a good balance of order execution, though its spreads are less competitive than some industry leaders. The BDSwiss Classic account features a spread of 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, which some traders might find expensive. Its Raw account offers a more palatable option with 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3 pips. The VIP account slightly improves on this with a 1.2 pip spread. BDSwiss holds a 4-star rating and ranks #30 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
In comparison, while both brokers have efficient offerings, Tickmill stands out for its lower all-in trading costs, especially within its Raw account. BDSwiss, while trailing in overall competitiveness, still presents viable trading options, particularly through its Raw account structure. The choice between the two may ultimately boil down to individual preferences relating to trading costs and account types.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| 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.
When considering Tickmill and BDSwiss for online investing, each brokerage presents unique opportunities across their available ranges of investment options. Both Tickmill and BDSwiss allow investors to dive into the forex market through CFDs or spot contracts. Tickmill offers a total of 725 tradeable symbols, including 63 forex pairs, while BDSwiss provides a broader selection with 1081 tradeable symbols, comprising 53 forex pairs. Neither broker offers direct exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, which means clients cannot buy actual shares such as Apple or Vodafone. However, both platforms facilitate copy trading and the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, but not the actual digital currencies themselves.
In terms of industry ratings, BDSwiss edges out Tickmill in the Range of Investments category with a rating of 4 stars compared to Tickmill's 3.5 stars. This is further reflected in their respective rankings from ForexBrokers.com, where BDSwiss is positioned at #34, above Tickmill's ranking at #42 out of 63 brokers. Whether you're seeking a wider selection of tradeable symbols or focusing primarily on forex, these ratings are helpful guides in choosing the platform that best aligns with your investment goals.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Tickmill and BDSwiss offer a comprehensive suite that caters to various trader preferences and needs. Both brokers provide a free virtual demo account, allowing users to gain trading experience without financial risk. While each broker supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, widely respected for their features and reliability, BDSwiss distinguishes itself by offering a proprietary platform, developed in-house, that might appeal to those seeking a more customized trading experience. Both brokers have Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based platforms, providing flexibility for traders on the go. For those interested in copy trading, both Tickmill and BDSwiss deliver this option, allowing users to replicate the trades of more experienced investors.
In terms of charting tools, both Tickmill and BDSwiss supply 15 drawing tools and enable trading directly from charts, which may enhance ease of trading for users. Their watch lists encompass 7 columns, offering traders a comprehensive view of the markets. Although both brokers are rated 4 stars for their trading platforms and tools, BDSwiss edges ahead in rankings at 24th compared to Tickmill's 32nd position among 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. This slight edge coupled with the availability of their proprietary platform might make BDSwiss a favorable option for those seeking more proprietary features, whereas Tickmill remains a solid choice with its strong lineup of industry-standard platforms and comprehensive trading tools.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When considering mobile trading apps, both Tickmill and BDSwiss offer solid options for traders. Their apps are available on iPhone and Android devices and provide features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and functionality to view multiple time frames. Both platforms also auto-save drawings and enable the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. However, neither Tickmill nor BDSwiss supports watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and the client's online account, which means you’ll have to manually update your watchlists across platforms.
In terms of technical studies for charting, both apps offer 30 options for analysis. While Tickmill and BDSwiss both earn a 4-star rating for their mobile trading applications, BDSwiss edges slightly ahead in ranking, coming in at #24 compared to Tickmill's #32 according to ForexBrokers.com. Therefore, while both apps provide a comprehensive mobile trading experience, BDSwiss holds a slight advantage in broader user ratings.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When comparing Tickmill and BDSwiss for market research, both online brokers provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed. However, Tickmill stands out by offering forex news from premium sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which BDSwiss lacks. Although BDSwiss provides technical analysis tools from top companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, Tickmill excels with unique features such as a sentiment-based trading tool, allowing users to view the proportion of long or short positions across various instruments. Additionally, Tickmill offers resources from Acuity Trading, such as the Signal Centre, providing comprehensive insights for traders. Both brokers offer economic calendars showcasing global events, ensuring traders are updated on crucial economic developments.
In terms of research quality, both Tickmill and BDSwiss receive a respectable four-star rating. However, Tickmill holds a slight edge with a ForexBrokers.com research category ranking of 22nd out of 63 brokers, compared to BDSwiss, which is ranked 24th. While BDSwiss provides excellent technical tools, Tickmill's inclusion of top-tier forex news sources and sentiment analysis positions it as a potentially better choice for traders who value diverse market insights.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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.
Both Tickmill and BDSwiss offer a comprehensive range of educational resources aimed at helping newcomers learn the ropes of forex and CFD trading. Each broker provides over ten educational materials, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, focused primarily on forex and CFDs. Beginners can enjoy monthly online webinars tailored to boost their trading knowledge, which are also recorded and made available in searchable archives for future reference. In terms of video content, both brokers deliver collections of ten beginner-focused videos that cover fundamental trading topics. For those seeking to advance their expertise, there are also ten videos available catering to experienced traders. Additionally, both Tickmill and BDSwiss offer an extensive investor dictionary with definitions of over fifty investing terms, aiding users in grasping essential trading terminology.
According to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill and BDSwiss are evenly matched with an educational rating of four stars out of five. However, Tickmill slightly edges ahead in the rankings, being placed at 15th out of 63 brokers, while BDSwiss is positioned at 19th. This minor difference in rank suggests that while both brokers offer strong educational resources, Tickmill's offerings might have a slight edge in appeal or user experience. Beginners looking to delve into the world of trading will find valuable educational support from either platform, with both brokers committed to providing diverse and informative content.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 Tickmill is better than BDSwiss. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
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BDSwiss
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 |
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Both Tickmill and BDSwiss do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Tickmill and BDSwiss, Tickmill supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas BDSwiss offers ACH or SEPA transfers, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but not PayPal.
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 | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| 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) |
| Investments | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | BDSwiss Review |
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