Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote vs Plus500, 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 Plus500 are both highly regarded online brokers, each boasting a top-tier Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating they are considered highly trusted options. Founded in 1996, Swissquote operates as a bank and is publicly traded, providing a solid foundation of stability and financial security. It holds five Tier-1 licenses, which are seen as highly trusted, and two Tier-2 licenses, recognized as trusted, which further reinforces its reputable regulatory standing.
On the other hand, Plus500, established in 2008, also garners a high level of trust. Plus500 is similarly publicly traded and holds six Tier-1 licenses, along with three Tier-2 licenses, showcasing its strong regulatory compliance though it is not classified as a bank. Both Swissquote and Plus500, with their excellent regulatory credentials, offer secure investment environments but differ in their institutional frameworks and years of experience in the industry.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When considering the commissions and fees of Swissquote and Plus500, traders face two distinct offerings. Swissquote provides a prestigious option by virtue of its association with a Swiss banking giant, yet this prestige comes with higher costs. In the U.K., Swissquote Ltd offers more budget-friendly options compared to its Swiss and Luxembourg branches. U.K. traders can choose from four accounts, with the Elite account offering the most competitive spreads for active traders who deposit at least $10,000. On the other hand, Swissquote’s Standard account, with starting spreads of 1.3 pips for EUR/USD and a $1,000 deposit, is less appealing. Meanwhile, Swissquote's Luxembourg and Swiss branches mirror the U.K. in account offerings, with varying minimum deposit requirements and spreads ranging from 0.8 to 1.7 pips depending on the account type. Swissquote earns a 3.5-star rating for its commissions and fees, placing it at #53 out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
Plus500, in contrast, offers simpler pricing, with spreads averaging 1.5 pips for EUR/USD in April 2024, which is slightly above the industry standard. Although Plus500 does not deliver retail discounts, it does offer cash rebates for those who qualify as Professional clients, mimicking an active trader program to some extent. While this approach makes Plus500 less competitive for some retail traders when compared to top-tier brokers such as IG or Saxo, its overall pricing strategy remains straightforward. Plus500 achieves a commendable 4.0-star rating for its commissions and fees, earning a better ranking of #23 in the list by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, when examining the fees between Swissquote and Plus500, the decision ultimately rests on the trader's preference for a reputable Swiss banking experience versus the more direct and slightly more affordable pricing of Plus500. Those prioritizing competitive spreads might lean towards Swissquote’s Elite account in the U.K., while traders seeking simplicity may find Plus500’s straightforward fee structure more appealing. Both brokers cater to different trader needs, reflected in their respective rankings and ratings.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | €50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing Swissquote and Plus500 in terms of investment offerings, both platforms provide a broad spectrum, but there are notable differences that may influence your choice. Swissquote offers a robust forex trading experience by providing both CFDs and spot contracts on 80 forex pairs. On the other hand, Plus500 also offers forex through CFDs, with a slightly lesser variety of 65 pairs. Plus500 stands out with a staggering 5,500 tradeable symbols, dwarfing Swissquote's 472 options. Both brokers allow trading of U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, ensuring access to companies like Apple and Vodafone.
Swissquote holds a competitive edge in cryptocurrency offerings by allowing users to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies alongside derivatives. Plus500, however, limits users to trading only cryptocurrency derivatives. Those interested in copy trading will find Swissquote appealing as it offers this feature, unlike Plus500. These comprehensive investment options have earned Swissquote a top-tier 5-star rating and a #2 ranking for Range of Investments by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Plus500 holds a commendable 4.5-star rating and ranks at #21. This makes Swissquote particularly suitable for those seeking variety and direct cryptocurrency investment, while Plus500 remains an excellent choice for those who prefer a broader range of tradeable symbols.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing Swissquote and Plus500, both brokers shine by offering free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice their skills without financial risk. Each platform boasts its own proprietary trading software, but Swissquote takes a step further by providing traders with a Windows-based desktop platform, a feature not available with Plus500. Both brokers support web-based trading, making it easy to access the markets from any browser. However, Swissquote differentiates itself with the offering of MetaTrader 4 and 5, platforms known for their comprehensive set of trading tools and indicators that Plus500 does not offer.
Swissquote also stands out with features like copy trading and trading directly from stock charts, capabilities that Plus500 currently lacks. When it comes to charting tools, Swissquote offers a more extensive selection, including 75 drawing tools compared to Plus500's 36. Additionally, Swissquote offers a watchlist with 11 custom fields, exceeding Plus500's offer of 10. Despite these differences, both platforms receive a commendable 4.5-star rating for their trading tools, with Swissquote ranking slightly higher at #12 compared to Plus500's #14, according to ForexBrokers.com's review of 63 brokers in the category.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 36 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 10 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Swissquote and Plus500 offer comprehensive solutions for iPhone and Android users, providing essential features like stock and forex price alerts. Where they begin to differ is in the area of watchlist symbol syncing; Plus500 provides this feature, enabling a seamless experience between your mobile app and online account, while Swissquote does not. Both apps excel by allowing users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and draw trendlines on charts, offering multiple time frames for a versatile trading experience.
Swissquote and Plus500 tie in user ratings, both holding an admirable 4.5 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. However, they differ in the technical studies they offer, with Swissquote providing 30 while Plus500 offers a more extensive selection of 115. Swissquote’s app saves chart drawings automatically, a feature not available with Plus500. In rankings, Swissquote edges out its competitor, being placed at #12 compared to Plus500 at #14 according to ForexBrokers.com. Overall, both apps provide powerful tools for traders on the go, with Swissquote having a slight edge in charting convenience and rankings.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 115 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Swissquote and Plus500 both provide daily market commentary, offering traders insights into market movements. However, for those who rely heavily on receiving forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Swissquote has the upper hand by providing this feature, while Plus500 does not. In terms of analysis tools, Swissquote leverages resources from Autochartist for technical and fundamental research, whereas Plus500 offers tools from Trading Central, which includes sentiment-based trading tools that Swissquote lacks. Both brokers provide an economic calendar for tracking global news events, but neither offers market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
When it comes to ratings, Swissquote and Plus500 both receive a commendable four-star rating for research from ForexBrokers.com. Despite their equal ratings, there is a slight difference in their rankings out of 63 brokers: Swissquote takes the 16th spot, while Plus500 follows at 19th. This comparison highlights Swissquote's strength in offering comprehensive forex news and research tools, while Plus500 differentiates itself with advanced trading tools from Trading Central. Whether you're prioritizing in-depth news coverage or sentiment analysis, both brokers cater to varying research needs with distinct advantages.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 interested in forex and CFDs, both Swissquote and Plus500 provide a comprehensive array of materials. Each platform offers a minimum of 10 educational pieces, including articles and videos, ensuring a strong foundation of knowledge for users. Monthly online webinars further enhance the learning experience, along with the availability of a searchable archive of past sessions. Beginners will find ample resources on both platforms, with Swissquote and Plus500 each hosting at least 10 beginner-focused educational videos. Advanced traders can also delve into specialized content, as both brokers feature over 10 advanced video tutorials designed to cater to more experienced individuals.
Despite these similarities, there are nuanced differences to consider. Swissquote stands out by offering an investor dictionary, which includes definitions of over 50 investing terms—an advantage for those looking to build a broader financial vocabulary. Plus500, on the other hand, lacks this feature. In terms of ratings, both brokers boast a solid 4-star rating for education. However, Swissquote edges ahead in industry ranking, securing the 21st spot in the Education category according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to Plus500’s position at 31. This higher ranking might give Swissquote a slight edge for those prioritizing comprehensive educational support in their trading journey.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 Plus500. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14.
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
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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Swissquote provides the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, while Plus500 only offers cryptocurrency derivatives, lacking the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers Swissquote and Plus500 for funding flexibility, Swissquote supports a wider range of deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and Visa or Mastercard, making it more versatile than Plus500, which also accepts PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH and SEPA transfer options.
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 | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. |
| Cost | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | €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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 10 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 36 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 115 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | Plus500 Review |
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