Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote vs FXCM, 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.
Swissquote and FXCM are two prominent online brokers, each with unique attributes that might appeal to different investors. Founded in 1996, Swissquote is a publicly traded entity listed on the stock exchange and operates as a bank. FXCM, established in 1999, is also publicly traded but does not function as a bank. This distinction may impact investors looking for banking services along with trading options.
When it comes to regulatory trust, Swissquote holds a notable edge with a perfect Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, aligning with its 5 Tier-1 highly trusted licenses and 2 Tier-2 trusted licenses. Meanwhile, FXCM garners a Trust Score of 95, reflecting its solid standing with 4 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers are well-regarded, but the higher trust score and additional Tier-1 license might make Swissquote a more appealing choice for those prioritizing trust and regulatory oversight.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When comparing Swissquote and FXCM on commissions and fees, each broker offers unique advantages depending on the trader's priorities and trading volume. Swissquote offers the reassurance and prestige of operating under a Swiss banking conglomerate, but this comes with slightly higher trading costs. Their U.K. accounts offer the most attractive rates, with the Elite account providing competitive spreads and a $5 charge per round-turn trade if you deposit at least $10,000. However, Swissquote’s pricing, with spreads starting as low as 0.6 pips on some accounts, generally remains above the lowest rates in the market. Swissquote holds a rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked #53 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees.
In contrast, FXCM typically offers more competitive pricing, particularly for active traders. With commission-based accounts averaging spreads of 0.28 pips excluding commission, FXCM can offer significantly discounted spreads as trading volume increases. Their Active Trader Rebate Program further reduces cost, though it's limited to certain regions like the U.S. and Australia. Standard account spreads average around 0.78 pips in major markets such as the EU and U.K., and can rise during peak periods, but active trading can mitigate these costs. Rated 4 stars and ranked #24 by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees, FXCM is positioned well for those seeking lower trading expenses and flexible rebate options.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | Starts from $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.78 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.78 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Swissquote and FXCM both provide access to forex trading through CFDs and spot contracts. However, Swissquote shines with a more extensive selection, offering 472 tradeable symbols compared to FXCM's 440. In terms of forex pairs, Swissquote impressively covers 80 pairs, nearly doubling FXCM's 43. For investors interested in exchange-traded securities, Swissquote allows purchases on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling direct investments in companies like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, FXCM does not offer direct trading on these exchanges, limiting investors to CFD trades. Both platforms support copy trading, but Swissquote further diversifies its portfolio with options to buy actual cryptocurrencies along with derivatives, while FXCM only offers cryptocurrency derivatives.
From a broader perspective of investment range, Swissquote is rated as a top-tier platform, aligned with a 5-star rating and holding the #2 rank out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. FXCM, with a 3.5-star rating, stands at the #47 position in the same category. This differentiation arises from Swissquote's wider array of financial products and services, making it a more versatile option for investors seeking comprehensive market access. For those looking for a rich tapestry of investment opportunities, Swissquote provides a compelling case, whereas FXCM appeals more to those content with a narrower focus.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 43 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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.
Swissquote and FXCM are both formidable options for traders looking for comprehensive trading platforms and tools, each offering unique features to cater to diverse trading needs. Both brokers provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, and both have developed their own proprietary platforms in-house. Traders can access their services through Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based trading. When it comes to copy trading, both brokers offer this feature; however, FXCM supports ZuluTrade, adding another layer to its offerings, while Swissquote does not. Although both support the popular MetaTrader 4 platform, only Swissquote extends this to MetaTrader 5, providing an advantage for those seeking advanced functionalities.
Charting capabilities are a crucial consideration for many traders, and here Swissquote stands out with 75 drawing tools compared to FXCM's 10. Despite this, FXCM slightly edges out in other areas, offering more columns in watch lists, and achieving a superior five-star rating for its Trading Platforms and Tools, compared to Swissquote's commendable 4.5 stars. In rankings, FXCM secures a sixth-place position out of 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, while Swissquote is ranked twelfth. Overall, both provide excellent platforms, but specific needs and preferences may sway a trader towards one over the other.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 10 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 13 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
For those interested in mobile trading apps, both Swissquote and FXCM have a lot to offer. Both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android users, allowing traders to stay updated with stock and forex prices through alerts. Swissquote and FXCM also enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, Swissquote does not support watchlist symbol syncing, which means changes on the app or online account will not automatically sync, while FXCM does offer this feature. When it comes to charting, Swissquote provides 30 technical studies, whereas FXCM offers nearly double with 59 studies. Both brokers allow traders to draw trendlines and view various time frames such as daily, weekly, or intraday, with all drawings automatically saved.
In terms of app ratings, both Swissquote and FXCM achieve an impressive 4.5 stars for their mobile trading platforms. In a ranking by ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote comes in slightly ahead at 12th place out of 63 brokers, while FXCM ranks 16th. Overall, each app has its unique strengths, making them both solid choices for traders, depending on individual preferences for features like symbol syncing and the number of technical studies available.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 59 |
| 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.
Both Swissquote and FXCM provide valuable insights for traders by offering daily market commentary and keeping users informed with news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, their offerings diverge when it comes to specific research tools. Swissquote stands out by including tools from Autochartist, which are absent in FXCM's lineup. On the other hand, FXCM provides technical analysis resources through Trading Central, whereas Swissquote does not. Additionally, FXCM enriches its market insights with sentiment-based trading tools and research from TipRanks, features that are not available with Swissquote.
Despite these differences, both platforms offer an economic calendar to help traders stay aware of global economic events. When considering overall research capabilities, Swissquote is rated four stars, placing it at the 16th position out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's ranking for research. FXCM slightly edges ahead with a 4.5-star rating, securing the 11th spot. This evaluation suggests that while both brokers offer robust research offerings, FXCM has a slight advantage in providing a more comprehensive suite of market analysis tools.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by Swissquote and FXCM, both brokers provide over 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, making them great choices for novice traders. They both conduct at least one monthly online webinar and maintain a searchable archive of past sessions. For beginners specifically, each platform offers more than 10 videos that cover trading topics in a way that's easy to understand. In addition, they also cater to more experienced traders with advanced educational videos.
Swissquote and FXCM each provide an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, making it easy for beginners to learn the jargon of the trading world. While Swissquote is rated 4 stars in education, FXCM slightly edges out with a 4.5-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote is ranked at #21 among 63 brokers for its educational offerings, whereas FXCM ranks higher at #14. Both brokers are solid choices, but FXCM seems to offer a slight advantage in educational resources based on rankings and ratings.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Swissquote is better than FXCM. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 |
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Swissquote provides investors the capability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies in addition to cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas FXCM only offers the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Swissquote and FXCM both offer a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, making them versatile choices for online brokerage services.
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 | Swissquote | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | FXCM | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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) | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 440 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 43 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.78 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.78 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | Starts from $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 13 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 10 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 59 | |
| 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 | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | FXCM Review |
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