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 | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
On trading costs alone, XTB tends to be the cheaper pick for most retail traders. XTB earns 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #12 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Swissquote scores 3.5/5 stars and ranks #54/63. XTB’s average EUR/USD spread was 1.0 pip in Q4 2023, close to the industry average. Swissquote’s pricing varies by entity and account type and generally runs higher, reflecting the appeal of its Swiss banking brand.
XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account that’s reserved for elected professionals in the U.K. and EU; the Pro option is being phased out and is no longer promoted in most regions. Minimum deposit is 250 in your base currency (GBP/EUR/USD). For smaller trade sizes the Standard account is usually cheaper, while at higher volumes pricing aligns more closely between Standard and Pro. Active traders can join XTB’s Lower Spread Group for monthly spread rebates of 5% to 30% once they trade from 20 up to 1,000 lots.
Swissquote’s costs differ by location. In the U.K., the Elite account suits active traders who can deposit at least $10,000, combining tighter spreads with a $5 round-turn commission; the Professional account is similar but with a lower stop-out level. The Standard account starts from 1.3 pips on EUR/USD, while the Prime account lists minimum spreads from 0.6 pips (minimums are not averages). In Luxembourg, minimum deposits run $1,000–$50,000 with minimum spreads from 0.8 to 1.5 pips. In Switzerland, forex accounts require $1,000–$50,000 and spreads start at 1.7 pips (Standard), 1.4 pips (Premium), and 1.1 pips (Prime, slightly above the industry average). U.K. accounts generally have lower costs and lighter deposit requirements but a narrower product list.
| 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.
In the XTB vs Swissquote range of investments comparison, both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or as spot contracts and both provide access to exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international markets (think Apple on NASDAQ or Vodafone in London). XTB lists 7,184 tradeable symbols overall, far more than Swissquote’s 472, while Swissquote edges ahead in currency choice with 80 forex pairs versus XTB’s 71.
For crypto and social features, Swissquote broadens the menu: it supports buying actual cryptocurrencies in addition to crypto derivatives and offers copy trading; XTB does not offer delivered crypto or copy trading, though it does provide crypto derivatives. Both earn 5-star marks for Range of Investments; however, in ForexBrokers.com’s 63-broker lineup Swissquote ranks #2 in this category, while XTB places #15.
| 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.
Comparing XTB and Swissquote for beginner education, both brokers check the key boxes. Each offers at least 10 forex and CFD learning pieces, runs monthly client webinars, and keeps a searchable archive of past sessions. Beginners also get depth with both brands providing at least 10 starter videos as well as 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up.
The differences are small but meaningful. XTB earns a 5-star Education rating and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Swissquote holds 4 stars and ranks #20. Swissquote stands out for its investor dictionary with 50+ definitions, which XTB does not provide. Choose XTB if you want a higher-rated education experience with lots of webinars and videos; pick Swissquote if having an in-platform glossary matters to you.
| 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
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 99 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Swissquote Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| 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 | 1 | 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) | 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) | |||
| 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) |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Swissquote Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill