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.
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a publicly traded online broker known for its high level of trustworthiness in the financial industry. The firm is not a bank, but it boasts an impressive Trust Score of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the highly trusted category. Supporting this trust are CMC Markets' six Tier-1 licenses, which are highly rated for regulatory safety, and one Tier-2 license. These credentials underscore CMC Markets' strong regulatory standing and commitment to maintaining high standards for its clients.
In contrast, Swissquote, founded in 1996, is both a publicly traded company and a bank, giving it a unique standing in the online brokerage field. Like CMC Markets, Swissquote holds a perfect Trust Score of 99 out of 99 as per ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its solid reputation. Swissquote holds five Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, indicating its trusted regulatory framework. Despite the slight difference in the number of Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses compared to CMC Markets, Swissquote's strong regulatory presence supports its credibility as a reliable option for online brokerage services.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | Yes |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 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 | 1.3 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 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 platforms shine in offering extensive options for traders. CMC Markets provides a rich selection with 12,029 tradeable symbols, far surpassing Swissquote’s 472. In the realm of forex, CMC Markets also leads the way with 141 tradeable forex pairs compared to Swissquote’s 80. Both brokers offer the ability to trade forex as either CFDs or spot contracts and provide access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing investors to buy shares from companies like Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, both support cryptocurrency derivatives and copy trading, although only Swissquote offers the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies.
CMC Markets and Swissquote both excel when rated for the range of investments, each earning 5 stars. Despite the similarity in ratings, Swissquote secures a higher rank, placing 2nd among 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category according to ForexBrokers.com, while CMC Markets is ranked 9th. This distinction highlights Swissquote's slightly superior standing in providing diverse investment options, despite CMC Markets' broader total offering of tradeable symbols and forex pairs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 472 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 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.
Both CMC Markets and Swissquote offer a comprehensive array of trading platforms and tools, making them strong contenders for online trading enthusiasts. Each broker provides a virtual demo account, enabling users to practice trading risk-free. Both also boast their own proprietary platforms, alongside the widely-used MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, catering to diverse trader preferences. Whether it's through a Windows-based desktop download or a convenient web-based browser platform, both brokers ensure accessibility for their users. Additionally, copy trading features are available via both platforms, though neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
Charting enthusiasts will find that both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, but Swissquote outshines CMC Markets with a larger selection of drawing tools—75 compared to CMC's 36. Both platforms provide a full suite of 11 fields for watch lists, enhancing their usability for active traders. CMC Markets is widely praised with a 5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, ranking 4th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Swissquote follows closely with a 4.5-star rating and a 12th place ranking. This detailed analysis reflects CMC Markets' slight edge in the category, although both brokers offer reliable and feature-rich options for traders.
| 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) | 73 | 86 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 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.
CMC Markets and Swissquote both deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFD education with plenty of articles, videos, and archived webinars. Each broker offers 10+ beginner videos and 10+ advanced videos, plus a searchable archive of past webinars and an investor dictionary covering 50+ trading terms—helpful if you’re just getting started and want clear definitions and step-by-step learning.
The key difference is live instruction: Swissquote runs client education webinars at least once a month, while CMC Markets does not. For overall quality, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #10 out of 63 for Education, while Swissquote earns 4 stars and ranks #20. If you like live sessions and real-time Q&A, Swissquote is a good pick. If you prefer a top-rated, on-demand library you can browse anytime, CMC Markets stands out.
| 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 | 6 | 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) | 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) | |||
| 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) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 472 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 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 | 1.3 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 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) | 73 | 86 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 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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