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 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Tickmill generally undercuts BDSwiss for active traders. Tickmill earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees, while BDSwiss scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #31. If keeping your all-in trading cost low is the priority, Tickmill’s pricing edge is clear.
Tickmill’s Classic account is commission-free but carries wider average spreads (about 1.76 pips on EUR/USD as of August 2023). The Raw account, which replaced the Pro tier, charges $3 per side per standard lot with a typical EUR/USD spread of 0.11 pips (October 2023). After the commission increase, the estimated all-in cost on EUR/USD is about 0.71 pips (0.11 spread + 0.60 commission-equivalent). Minimum deposit for the Raw account is just $100. Tickmill records typical spread data during normal market conditions, and its blend of tight spreads and per-trade pricing helps keep overall costs attractive for frequent traders.
BDSwiss’ Classic account lists a 1.5-pip spread on EUR/USD, which is on the higher side. Its Raw account posts a 0.3-pip spread plus a $5 commission per side, bringing the effective cost to roughly 1.3 pips, while the VIP account is about 1.2 pips. In short, BDSwiss’ headline pricing is competitive but, on EUR/USD, it still tends to land above Tickmill’s Raw account all-in cost.
| 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 vs BDSwiss: both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot. BDSwiss offers a wider product list overall with 1,081 tradeable symbols, compared with Tickmill’s 637. If your focus is currency trading, Tickmill lists more forex pairs (63) than BDSwiss (53), which may provide extra choice for minor and exotic pairs.
Neither broker offers exchange-traded stocks on U.S. or international exchanges, so you can’t buy actual shares through them. Both support copy trading, and both let you trade crypto via derivatives—but not purchase real coins. Independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com give BDSwiss an edge for range of investments at 4/5 stars (ranked 35th of 63), while Tickmill earns 3.5/5 stars (43rd of 63).
| 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.
Tickmill vs BDSwiss: both brokers offer a free demo account, web and Windows desktop platforms, copy trading, and the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each lets you place trades directly from charts and supports watchlists with 7 columns. Key difference: BDSwiss provides a proprietary, in-house platform alongside MetaTrader, while Tickmill sticks to third-party platforms only. Neither supports ZuluTrade. Details for DupliTrade, as well as the exact counts of chart indicators and drawing tools, were not specified.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s category ranking, BDSwiss places #24 out of 63 brokers, while Tickmill is #30. If you want an in-house platform option plus MetaTrader, BDSwiss has the edge; if you prefer a straightforward MetaTrader-centric setup, Tickmill is a solid fit.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 [DELETED] | ||
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 91 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | ||
| 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 deliver capable mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts and lets you build watchlists with real-time quotes. Charting tools are similar: you get 30 technical studies, the ability to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames (intraday to weekly), and your drawings auto-save. One notable gap for both brokers is watchlist symbol syncing—changes made on mobile do not sync with the online account.
In independent ratings, both Tickmill and BDSwiss earn 4 stars for their mobile trading apps. That said, BDSwiss holds a higher category ranking at #24 versus Tickmill at #30 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. If you want alerts and strong on-the-go charting for stock or forex symbols, either app will work well; if rankings sway your decision, BDSwiss has the edge.
| 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 |
| Client sentiment data | 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 give beginners plenty of ways to learn forex and CFDs. Each broker offers at least 10 education pieces, runs monthly client webinars, and keeps a searchable archive of past sessions. You’ll also find 10+ beginner videos to get started, 10+ advanced videos for later growth, and an investor dictionary with 50+ terms to help with jargon. In expert reviews, both Tickmill and BDSwiss earn 4 stars for Education.
If rankings matter to you, Tickmill holds a slight edge, placing #15 for Education out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss is #22. That said, beginners will find similar learning tools at either broker—videos, webinars, archives, and a helpful dictionary—so your choice can come down to which platform and teaching style you prefer.
| 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
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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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, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 Desktop Trading 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 [DELETED] | |||
| 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) [DELETED] | |||
| 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 | |
| Client sentiment data | 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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