Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs Swissquote, 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.
CMC Markets and Swissquote are both well-established online brokerages that are publicly traded, with CMC Markets founded in 1989 and Swissquote in 1996. While CMC Markets is not a bank, Swissquote holds the distinction of being both a bank and a brokerage service provider. Both companies have achieved an exceptional Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99, making them highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com standards.
In terms of regulatory credentials, CMC Markets and Swissquote each hold five Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly trustworthy. Additionally, CMC Markets holds one Tier-2 license while Swissquote holds two, indicating a solid commitment to maintaining trusted operations. Both brokers offer clients peace of mind through a strong regulatory framework, reflecting their dedication to safety and reliability in trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | Yes |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
CMC Markets stands out as a top choice for traders seeking competitive commissions and fees, earning a #1 ranking in this category from ForexBrokers.com. With a 5-star rating, CMC Markets offers consistently low spreads, such as an average of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, as observed in August 2023. Their active trader program, the Price Plus Scheme, and the innovative FX Active pricing structure provide additional savings. With FX Active, traders can benefit from all-in costs as low as 0.5 pips for certain currency pairs by combining a commission of $2.50 per side with highly competitive spreads.
In contrast, Swissquote carries the prestige of being associated with a Swiss banking conglomerate, though it commands higher fees and offers less competitive pricing compared to CMC Markets. Swissquote, holding a 3.5-star rating and ranked #53 by ForexBrokers.com, offers different pricing structures across its U.K., Switzerland, and Luxembourg entities. Notably, the U.K. accounts feature the lowest costs, with spreads starting at 0.6 pips for Prime account holders, albeit these are minimum spread figures, not average.
The Swissquote Elite account is tailored for active traders with a $10,000 deposit requirement, featuring lower spreads, though with a $5 commission per round-turn trade. Swissquote's offerings across its various branches reflect a premium approach, emphasizing Swiss banking benefits but falling short in matching CMC Markets' cost-efficiency for trading fees.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets and Swissquote for their range of investments, both brokers excel with diverse offerings, each earning a 5-star rating for this category. CMC Markets stands out with an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, dwarfing Swissquote's 472. Forex enthusiasts will appreciate CMC Markets' offering of 156 forex pairs, nearly doubling Swissquote's 80. Both platforms provide forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and they cater to stock market investors by allowing purchases of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges like Apple's NASDAQ shares or London's Vodafone shares.
Both CMC Markets and Swissquote support cryptocurrency derivatives trading, yet only Swissquote allows purchasing of actual cryptocurrencies, adding an edge for crypto buyers. Additionally, copy trading enthusiasts will find features on both platforms to suit their needs. Despite CMC Markets' broad range and extensive forex options, Swissquote's specialized options have earned it a higher ranking in the ForexBrokers.com list, placing it at number two, compared to CMC Markets' ninth position out of 63 brokers.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 472 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 80 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | Yes |
| 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 CMC Markets and Swissquote, both brokers provide a suite of features that cater to a wide range of traders. Each offers a free virtual demo account, proprietary platforms, and options for Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms. Both platforms also support copy trading and provide access to popular trading systems like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. However, neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade for automated trading strategies. On the technical front, while both firms allow trading directly from stock charts, CMC Markets provides 40 drawing tools, whereas Swissquote offers a more extensive array with 75 tools. Moreover, both platforms offer 11 columns for watchlist customization. Ultimately, both brokers present strong trading tools, although CMC Markets slightly edges out in rankings and ratings with a five-star platform tool rating and a #4 rank by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Swissquote's 4.5-star rating and #12 rank.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 79 | 86 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 75 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both CMC Markets and Swissquote provide solid options for iPhone and Android users. They each offer valuable features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and the option to view multiple timeframes like daily, weekly, or intraday. Both apps also allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and save chart drawings automatically. However, CMC Markets has a slight edge when it comes to syncing watchlists between the mobile app and the online account, making it more convenient for users who want seamless transitions between devices.
While the number of technical studies available on their charting tools is similar—29 for CMC Markets and 30 for Swissquote—CMC Markets has garnered a higher overall rating. It boasts a 5-star rating for its mobile trading apps, securing the 5th spot in ForexBrokers.com's rankings out of 63 brokers. In contrast, Swissquote is rated 4.5 stars and holds the 12th position. This distinction highlights CMC Markets as a slightly more favored option among users and experts alike, thanks to its comprehensive and user-friendly features that enhance trading on the go.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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 the market research offerings of CMC Markets and Swissquote, both brokers provide valuable tools and insights for traders. They each furnish daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. Traders can also benefit from technical and fundamental research tools by Autochartist available on both platforms, while neither offers resources from Trading Central and Acuity Trading. Additionally, both brokers feature an economic calendar to keep you updated on global news events. However, only CMC Markets includes a sentiment-based trading tool that shows the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, adding an extra layer of insight for traders.
These research tools contribute to CMC Markets' impressive 5-star rating and sixth-place ranking out of 63 brokers in the Research category on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Swissquote holds a respectful 4-star rating and ranks 16th. This difference highlights CMC Markets' slightly stronger position in delivering comprehensive research options, enhancing the overall trading experience for its users.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| 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 educational resources for beginners, both CMC Markets and Swissquote offer a solid platform. Each provides a collection of over 10 educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex or CFDs. They also have a comprehensive selection of beginner and advanced educational videos specifically catering to different levels of traders. Additionally, both platforms feature an investor dictionary that covers more than 50 investing terms, making them useful learning tools for those new to trading.
However, there are some key differences between the two brokers. CMC Markets does not host monthly online educational client webinars, unlike Swissquote, which does. Despite this, both brokers ensure users can access a searchable archive of previous webinars. What's more, CMC Markets excels in user ratings for education, earning a five-star rating and securing the #10 spot in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, while Swissquote receives four stars and ranks at #21. This highlights CMC Markets as a highly regarded choice for educational resources among online brokers.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 CMC Markets is better than Swissquote. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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CMC Markets does not allow the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they do offer cryptocurrency derivatives, while Swissquote provides the option to buy both actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and Swissquote, both offer ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but only Swissquote supports transactions via Skrill.
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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Swissquote Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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) | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 472 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 80 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 86 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 75 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 29 | 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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | CMC Markets Review | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Swissquote Review |
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