Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
Comparing the regulatory frameworks of XTB and Swissquote reveals significant differences. Founded in 2002, XTB is a publicly traded company but not a bank. It holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, achieving a Trust Score of 96 out of 99 by ForexBrokers.com, indicating high trust. In contrast, Swissquote, established in 1996, is both publicly traded and a licensed bank. It boasts 5 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, earning a near-perfect Trust Score of 99, showing its exceptional trustworthiness.
Both XTB and Swissquote are listed on stock exchanges, underscoring their transparency and reliability in the financial sector. However, Swissquote's status as a bank, combined with its greater number of Tier-1 licenses, gives it a notable edge in regulatory trustworthiness. While XTB is highly trusted, Swissquote's almost perfect trust rating and banking status may offer potential clients an additional layer of security.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | Yes |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of XTB and Swissquote, XTB shines with its flexible offerings, including a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account aimed at selected professionals in the UK and Europe. Despite its overall pricing aligning with the industry norm, XTB lags behind the most competitive brokers. The average forex spread for the EUR/USD stands at 1 pip, but notable is the Standard account's appeal for retail forex traders due to cost-effectiveness and accessibility. An added advantage is XTB's Lower Spread Group for active traders, where spread rebates from 5% to 30% attract those trading 20 to 1,000 lots monthly. With a 4.5-star rating and an impressive rank of 11th among 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category, XTB proves to be a strong contender.
On the other hand, Swissquote's draw lies in its association with a Swiss banking conglomerate, which comes with a premium in trading costs that can't compete with the most economically priced forex brokers. Swissquote's offerings vary, with the U.K. division presenting the most cost-effective option, featuring lower costs and lighter deposit requirements across four accounts. The commission-based Elite account, with a $5 fee per round-turn trade, offers low spreads for active traders depositing at least $10,000, while its Standard account is less appealing with spreads starting at 1.3 pips. Meanwhile, Swissquote's Luxembourg and Swiss entities provide additional account options, featuring varying minimum deposits and spreads.
While XTB displays a competitive edge with a top rating, Swissquote is rated 3.5 stars and ranks 53rd in the Commissions and Fees category among the same group of 63 brokers. Swissquote's pricing versatility across its branches, albeit slightly higher than average, caters to different investing styles, yet costs remain somewhat elevated compared to XTB's more favorable rebate and volume-based offerings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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.
When looking into the range of investments offered by XTB and Swissquote, both brokers cater to diverse trading preferences. XTB provides a substantial array of 7,184 tradeable symbols, which encompasses 71 forex pairs available as either CFDs or spot contracts. Swissquote, on the other hand, offers 472 tradeable symbols, with a slightly wider selection of 80 forex pairs also presented as CFDs or spot contracts. Both platforms facilitate the trading of exchange-traded securities from U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to invest in well-known companies like Apple and Vodafone. However, when it comes to copy trading, Swissquote stands out by providing this option, while XTB does not.
The cryptocurrency offerings further distinguish these two brokers. XTB only allows trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Swissquote provides the opportunity to purchase actual cryptocurrencies alongside derivatives. Both are rated highly for their range of investments, earning 5 stars in their category. However, in terms of ranking by ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote takes a notable lead as the number 2 broker out of 63, compared to XTB's position at number 14. This indicates that while both brokers have broad offerings, Swissquote is slightly favored for its range of investment options.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 472 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 80 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 trading platforms and tools, both XTB and Swissquote present compelling options for traders. XTB offers a proprietary platform that supports both desktop and web-based trading, making it accessible from anywhere. Similarly, Swissquote also provides a proprietary platform available on both desktop and web. Both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, which are ideal for practicing strategies without risking real money. However, Swissquote stands out with its support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), popular among seasoned traders for their advanced features, while XTB does not offer these platforms. Furthermore, Swissquote supports copy trading, providing an option for users to replicate other traders' strategies, a feature absent in XTB.
In terms of charting tools, Swissquote offers a broader selection with 75 drawing tools compared to XTB’s 32, allowing for more detailed technical analysis. Both brokers do allow users to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing the trading experience. When it comes to watchlist features, Swissquote offers a more detailed setup with 11 columns for customization against XTB's 8. Despite these differences, both XTB and Swissquote earn a high rating of 4.5 stars for their trading platforms and tools. XTB ranks slightly higher in this category at #9 out of 63 brokers, compared to Swissquote's ranking at #12, highlighting a competitive edge in their platform features and functionality.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 86 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 75 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and Swissquote both provide mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, making trading accessible from virtually anywhere. Both platforms offer essential features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on stock or forex charts. Additionally, they support viewing multiple time frames like daily, weekly, or intraday in their charting tools. With XTB offering 39 technical studies compared to Swissquote's 30, traders seeking more advanced charting options might find XTB slightly more appealing. However, both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring you never miss a market beat.
When it comes to user satisfaction, both XTB and Swissquote receive a 4.5-star rating, reflecting their strong performance in the mobile trading space. Despite their similar ratings, XTB slightly edges out Swissquote in rankings, placing 8th compared to Swissquote's 12th position out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. However, it's essential to note that neither app currently offers watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online accounts, a feature some traders might find beneficial. Overall, both apps deliver an engaging trading experience, with minor differences that may cater to specific trader preferences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 it comes to market research, both XTB and Swissquote provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from renowned sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, ensuring traders stay updated with the latest developments. However, Swissquote holds an edge over XTB with its access to Autochartist's technical analysis tools, offering traders additional insights for making informed decisions. On the flip side, XTB stands out with its sentiment-based trading tool, which provides a unique look at trader positions across currency pairs, something Swissquote does not offer.
While neither broker offers market research from TipRanks nor tools from Acuity Trading, both platforms provide a comprehensive economic calendar covering global events. XTB shines with a perfect 5-star rating for research and ranks 7th out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strength in providing valuable analysis. Meanwhile, Swissquote, with a 4-star rating and a 16th place ranking, offers solid research capabilities but falls slightly behind XTB in overall user satisfaction regarding market insights.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | 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.
For beginners seeking to dive into the world of trading, both XTB and Swissquote present a solid foundation with their educational offerings. XTB stands out by earning the highest rating, five stars, for its educational programs. It provides an array of at least 10 pieces of insightful content focused on forex or CFDs, coupled with regular online webinars. These engaging sessions are not only scheduled monthly but also conveniently searchable in an archive of recorded webinars. XTB offers a comprehensive suite of tutorial videos, catering to both beginners and advanced traders, ensuring that learners at all levels have access to useful resources.
Swissquote, rated four stars, also meets the high standard with a strong lineup of 10 educational pieces on forex and CFDs. It hosts monthly webinars that are stored in an easily accessible archive for continued learning. Moreover, Swissquote distinguishes itself by providing an extensive investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, a feature absent in XTB's offerings. Like XTB, Swissquote supplies a robust range of video content aimed at both beginner and advanced traders. In a ranking of 63 brokers, XTB holds the 11th spot compared to Swissquote's 21st for educational resources, reflecting its slight edge in the educational category.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than Swissquote. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 |
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While XTB offers cryptocurrency derivatives but not the direct purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, Swissquote provides the option to buy both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to a wider range of investment preferences.
While both XTB and Swissquote support a variety of funding methods including PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, Swissquote stands out by also offering ACH and SEPA transfers, which XTB does not provide for deposits or withdrawals.
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 | XTB | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Swissquote Review |
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| Regulation | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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) | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 472 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 80 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1000 | |
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 86 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 75 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | XTB | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Swissquote Review |
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