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 | 1.70 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 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.
Tickmill and BDSwiss are both online brokers that offer forex trading as CFDs, appealing to traders interested in currency markets. When considering the overall number of tradeable symbols, BDSwiss offers a broader selection with 1,081 options compared to Tickmill's 637. In terms of forex pairs, however, Tickmill edges ahead with 63 pairs against BDSwiss's 53. Neither broker provides the option to trade directly in U.S. or international exchange-traded securities, such as buying shares of Apple or Vodafone. For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, both brokers offer the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither supports purchasing actual cryptocurrencies. Additionally, both brokers support copy trading, which allows users to mimic the trades of successful investors.
Regarding their ratings, BDSwiss takes the lead with a 4-star rating for its range of investments, against Tickmill’s 3.5 stars. In a comparison by ForexBrokers.com, BDSwiss ranks at #34 for its range of investments, placing higher than Tickmill's #42 ranking. Whether you're looking at the diversity of available markets or ratings, BDSwiss appears to provide a slightly more extensive range of investment opportunities for traders seeking a variety of options.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 637 | 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by Tickmill and BDSwiss, both brokers provide robust options for traders at all experience levels. Each offers a free demo account that allows users to practice trading in a risk-free environment, and both support popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, catering to the needs of various traders. Both brokers also present the ability to engage in copy trading. However, BDSwiss distinguishes itself by offering a proprietary platform, enhancing customization and unique features for its users. While both brokers have web-based trading platforms as well as Windows desktop versions, BDSwiss offers a slightly more comprehensive range of drawing tools with 15 options compared to Tickmill’s 9. Both brokers enable trading directly from stock charts, supporting seamless trading decisions.
In terms of watch lists and user experience, Tickmill and BDSwiss each offer seven columns for customizing watch lists, allowing traders to personalize their monitoring efficiently. As evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill and BDSwiss both earned a solid four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. Despite their similarities in ratings, BDSwiss is slightly higher ranked at #24, surpassing Tickmill's rank of #29 out of 63 brokers. This subtle edge may be attributed to BDSwiss’s proprietary platform and additional tools which enhance the trading experience for their clientele. Overall, both brokers provide solid, reliable platforms that cater to different trading styles and preferences, making either a viable choice depending on individual needs.
| 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) | 91 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 9 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Tickmill and BDSwiss both provide robust mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android devices, making it convenient for traders on the go. Each app offers stock and forex price alerts and allows users to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and auto-save chart drawings. Both apps feature 30 technical studies for chart analysis, offering comprehensive tools for traders regardless of experience. Additionally, both platforms support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, although neither app syncs watchlist symbols with the client’s online account.
Despite sharing many features, there are some differences in the ratings and rankings of these two brokers. Both received a 4-star rating for their mobile trading apps. However, BDSwiss holds a slight edge with a #24 ranking out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, while Tickmill ranks at #29 according to ForexBrokers.com. This indicates that while both apps are well-regarded, BDSwiss is considered slightly superior in the mobile trading app category.
| 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 offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and maintain economic calendars that highlight important global news events. However, Tickmill pushes ahead with access to forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, setting it apart from BDSwiss, which does not offer this feature. Additionally, Tickmill provides a sentiment-based trading tool that informs traders of the market's leaning towards long or short positions, whereas BDSwiss lacks this tool. Tickmill also delivers research tools from Acuity Trading, adding another layer of analytical capability. In contrast, BDSwiss enhances its market research suite by integrating tools from Autochartist and Trading Central, providing users with valuable technical and fundamental analysis features that Tickmill does not include.
Both brokers share a strong standing, each earning a 4-star rating for research. Despite this parity in star ratings, Tickmill is positioned slightly higher at 21st place among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss follows closely at 24th. These subtle differences in rankings and offerings suggest that both brokers are robust choices for market analysis, but with distinct strengths catering to different trader needs. Ultimately, the choice between Tickmill and BDSwiss may come down to whether a trader values access to high-profile forex news sources and sentiment analysis or a broader array of technical analysis tools.
| 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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| 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) | 637 | 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 | 1.70 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 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) | 91 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 9 | 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 |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | BDSwiss Review |
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