Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote vs Markets.com, 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.
When comparing online brokers Swissquote and Markets.com, several key factors stand out. Founded in 1996, Swissquote holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating a highly trusted reputation. As a publicly traded entity and a bank, Swissquote demonstrates stability and transparency, reinforced by holding five Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, which are key indicators of trust according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Markets.com, established in 1999, still maintains a strong presence with a Trust Score of 93. While it is not publicly traded and does not hold banking status, Markets.com is recognized with three Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, which solidifies its standing as a reliable broker. Both brokers are reputable, but Swissquote's comprehensive licensing and additional banking flexibility may appeal to those seeking the highest level of trust and security.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Swissquote, a prominent name in the banking sector, presents a mixed bag when it comes to commissions and fees, struggling to match the lowest-cost options like Markets.com in the market. With multiple entities across the UK, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, Swissquote sees varying costs tied to each location. UK-based accounts offer the lowest fees, especially attractive for active traders with its Elite account, which requires a $10,000 deposit and charges $5 per round turn trade. However, the Standard account, with spreads starting from 1.3 pips on the EUR/USD, may not appeal to those seeking the lowest spreads. Luxembourg accounts follow a similar pricing structure, with the minimum spreads slightly higher than UK accounts, and deposits tiered from $1,000 to $50,000.
In Switzerland, Swissquote delivers spreads starting at 1.7 pips for its Standard trading account along with a $1,000 deposit. The Prime account pushes the deposit up to $50,000 but lowers the spread just a bit to 1.1 pips, which, in comparison, remains above the industry average. Custom pricing can be arranged for high-volume traders, though details are not publicly available. Swissquote holds a commission and fees rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 53 out of 63 brokers per ForexBrokers.com.
Comparatively, Markets.com, without specified average spread data, also earns a 3.5 star rating for commissions and fees. Excelling slightly better in the rankings, Markets.com holds the 50th position out of 63 brokers reviewed. While specifics of Markets.com’s fee structure aren't detailed, its slightly higher ranking might reflect better general cost efficiency. This makes Markets.com an option worth considering for those focused on fees, especially when compared to Swissquote’s more premium pricing associated with its Swiss banking prestige.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing the range of investments offered by Swissquote and Markets.com, Swissquote stands out with an impressive 472 tradeable symbols, surpassing Markets.com's 2179 symbols constraint. Both brokers provide opportunities for engaging in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, but Swissquote offers a wider selection of 80 tradeable forex pairs compared to Markets.com's 57. Swissquote also leads in providing access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing investors to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone directly, a feature not available with Markets.com.
Swissquote further enhances its appeal by allowing clients to buy actual cryptocurrencies, in addition to offering cryptocurrency derivatives. Markets.com, while offering cryptocurrency derivatives, does not support the purchase of actual digital currencies. Both platforms accommodate copy trading, appealing to investors seeking to replicate others' trading strategies. Swissquote is highly rated with 5 out of 5 stars for its range of investments, securing the #2 position out of 63 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, while Markets.com is rated slightly lower at 4 stars with a #29 ranking. Overall, Swissquote's broader investment options provide a more versatile trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 57 |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by Swissquote and Markets.com, both brokers present a variety of options suitable for different traders. Each broker provides access to a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice trading without risk. Both have developed proprietary platforms and supply desktop software for Windows users. Their web-based platforms allow traders to access the market through any modern browser, offering flexibility and convenience. Both brokers support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which adds a layer of familiarity for seasoned traders. Although neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, they both provide copy trading functionalities, enhancing trader collaboration.
Swissquote stands out with its comprehensive suite of drawing tools—offering 75, compared to just 4 from Markets.com. This expansive array of tools, paired with the ability to trade directly from stock charts, gives Swissquote an edge for those who heavily rely on technical analysis. Furthermore, Swissquote offers more than double the amount of watch list columns, enhancing market monitoring. Swissquote's dedication to providing a detailed and flexible environment for traders is reflected in its higher rating of 4.5 stars and a notable #12 ranking out of 63 brokers. Conversely, Markets.com offers solid overall tools, but with a 4-star rating and a #27 ranking, it doesn’t quite match Swissquote's offering in this category.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 86 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Swissquote and Markets.com, both platforms offer solid options for iPhone and Android users, along with essential features like stock and forex price alerts, trendline drawing, and real-time watchlists. Swissquote shines with its capability to display multiple time frames and offers a notable 30 technical studies in its app, whereas Markets.com lacks this feature and provides limited technical studies by default. Additionally, Swissquote’s app automatically saves chart drawings, a function absent in the Markets.com app.
Another significant difference is in watchlist symbol syncing; Markets.com provides seamless syncing between its mobile app and online account, ensuring easy access and management across devices, a feature not available with Swissquote. Ratings further reflect user satisfaction, with Swissquote receiving 4.5 out of 5 stars and securing the 12th rank among 63 brokers, while Markets.com garners 4 stars and ranks at 33rd place. Thus, for traders who prioritize advanced chart features and a higher-rated experience, Swissquote stands out, whereas Markets.com may appeal to those who value synced watchlists.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, both Swissquote and Markets.com are on par, providing comprehensive insights. Swissquote stands out with an additional technical analysis tool from Autochartist, which Markets.com does not offer. Conversely, Markets.com enhances its offerings with a sentiment-based trading tool, giving traders insights into long and short positions across various instruments—a feature Swissquote lacks.
Both platforms include an economic calendar for tracking global news events, adding value for informed trading decisions. However, neither offers additional market research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Despite these differences, both brokers receive a commendable four-star rating for research. Swissquote, ranked 16th by ForexBrokers.com, edges out Markets.com, which holds the 17th position, illustrating comparable overall capabilities in the realm of market research.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| 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, Swissquote outshines Markets.com in several key areas. Swissquote offers a more comprehensive learning experience by providing a variety of educational materials specifically focused on forex and CFDs, including over ten articles, videos, and archived webinars. New traders can benefit from Swissquote’s searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, offering flexible learning opportunities. Moreover, Swissquote includes an investor dictionary with over 50 financial terms, giving users access to a valuable resource for understanding complex investing jargon. In comparison, Markets.com falls short, providing less content centered around forex and CFDs and lacking an investor dictionary, which may limit the learning experience for beginners.
Both Swissquote and Markets.com offer monthly live educational webinars, alongside more than ten beginner and advanced videos covering various trading topics. This ensures both platforms cater to newcomers and experienced traders alike. However, while both brokers have received a 4-star education rating, Swissquote holds a stronger position, ranked 21st out of 63 brokers for Education according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to Markets.com, which is ranked 34th. This highlights Swissquote’s commitment to providing quality educational resources, making it a more attractive option for traders beginning their investment journey.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 Markets.com. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Swissquote allows investors to purchase actual cryptocurrency, while both Swissquote and Markets.com provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Swissquote stands out for its extensive deposit and withdrawal options, offering ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas Markets.com provides Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks support for ACH, SEPA transfers, and 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 | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $100 | |
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review |
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