Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA vs BDSwiss, 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.
Founded in 1996, OANDA has established itself as a trusted name in the online brokerage industry. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93 out of 99, OANDA is considered highly trusted. It holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, reflecting strong regulatory oversight. Not publicly traded or a bank, OANDA offers a level of security and credibility that is crucial for traders.
Comparatively, BDSwiss, founded in 2012, earns an average risk rating with a Trust Score of 73 according to ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss holds just 1 Tier-1 regulatory license, suggesting a more limited regulatory framework compared to OANDA. Like OANDA, BDSwiss is neither publicly traded nor a bank. Both brokers provide access to financial markets, but OANDA's regulatory standing and trust score suggest it may offer a safer choice for traders concerned with regulatory security.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing OANDA and BDSwiss for commissions and fees, both online brokers exhibit distinct pricing structures that cater to different trading needs. OANDA's forex trading costs are on the higher side, primarily due to its effective spreads, which are relatively steep compared to industry leaders. While the average non-core pricing at OANDA was 1.61 pips on popular pairs like the EUR/USD, its core pricing structure offers slightly lower spreads with an additional $5 per $100,000 commission. This results in an all-in cost of about 1.4 pips for the EUR/USD pair, making it marginally more competitive than its default pricing. OANDA is rated 4 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #34 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
BDSwiss, on the other hand, is known for its good order execution statistics but offers spreads that are higher than some top industry competitors. Its Classic account features a spread of 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD pair, deemed somewhat costly. However, the Raw account offers a more enticing option with a spread of 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, resulting in a total effective spread of 1.3 pips. Meanwhile, the VIP account offers spreads as low as 1.2 pips. Like OANDA, BDSwiss also garners a 4-star rating for its commissions and fees, with a higher ranking of #30 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Ultimately, traders seeking to choose between OANDA and BDSwiss should consider their specific trading volumes and account types to achieve the most cost-effective results. OANDA offers the flexibility of trading with micro lots and provides rebates for high-volume traders, while BDSwiss presents varied account structures that can accommodate diverse trading preferences.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
OANDA and BDSwiss both provide comprehensive platforms for traders interested in forex and CFDs, but they differ significantly in the variety of tradeable symbols they offer. OANDA boasts a larger selection with 3,928 tradeable symbols and 68 forex pairs, allowing for more flexibility and options in trading strategies compared to BDSwiss, which offers 1,081 tradeable symbols and 53 forex pairs. Both brokers offer the ability to engage in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, and neither provides exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges. This means traders focused on these options will need to seek other platforms for such investments.
In terms of investment features, both brokers support copy trading, enabling users to replicate successful trading strategies. However, a key difference lies in cryptocurrency offerings. OANDA provides the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies, offering more options for crypto enthusiasts, while BDSwiss limits users to trading cryptocurrency derivatives. Despite their differences in tradeable assets and crypto offerings, both brokers receive four stars for their range of investments, though OANDA is ranked higher at #27 compared to BDSwiss at #34 by ForexBrokers.com. This suggests OANDA might be a better fit for those seeking a broader spectrum of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
OANDA and BDSwiss both offer impressive trading platforms and tools, catering to diverse trader preferences. Both brokers provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing newcomers to practice without financial risk. They each have developed their proprietary platforms and also include popular options like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). For Windows users, downloadable platforms are available, alongside web-based platforms for convenience. Copy trading is supported by both, however, options like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not available. While both brokers offer trading directly from stock charts, OANDA stands out with a greater number of drawing tools at 431 compared to BDSwiss's 15.
When it comes to organizing and monitoring investments, OANDA offers six columns for watch lists, slightly fewer than BDSwiss's seven. Both platforms are highly rated, receiving four out of five stars for their trading platforms and tools. Despite the close ratings, OANDA is ranked higher, securing the 15th spot out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss sits at the 24th position. These rankings reflect the subtle differences and preferences traders might consider when choosing between these two brokers.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 81 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both OANDA and BDSwiss provide convenient iPhone and Android trading apps that cater to the needs of forex and stock traders. These apps allow users to set price alerts and offer charting tools with 30 technical studies each. Traders can enjoy the flexibility of viewing charts in multiple time frames and have the ability to draw and auto-save trendlines. Both platforms enable the creation of watchlists featuring real-time quotes, although they do not support watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online accounts.
However, there are noticeable differences in user satisfaction and rankings. OANDA's mobile app is rated 5 stars and ranks at number 7 among 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category. In contrast, BDSwiss receives a 4-star rating and is positioned at number 24 in the same ranking. This highlights a higher level of user approval and market standing for OANDA’s mobile trading experience compared to BDSwiss.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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 comparing the market research offerings of OANDA and BDSwiss, both brokers provide daily market commentary and offer access to an economic calendar, helping traders stay informed about global news events. However, OANDA stands out by delivering forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature that BDSwiss lacks. Additionally, OANDA offers sentiment analysis tools that provide insights into long or short positions across various currency pairs, whereas BDSwiss does not offer this feature. Both brokers make use of Autochartist for technical analysis, but BDSwiss enhances its research capabilities with tools from Trading Central, which are not available with OANDA.
In the realm of third-party tools, neither OANDA nor BDSwiss collaborates with TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Despite this, OANDA's comprehensive offerings earn it a 5-star research rating and a noteworthy 5th place ranking out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, BDSwiss receives a 4-star rating and is ranked 24th, reflecting its respectable but comparatively less extensive research offerings. For traders seeking extensive market insights and reliable news feeds, OANDA seems to have a slight edge over BDSwiss.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing OANDA and BDSwiss for educational resources available to beginners, both brokers offer an extensive suite tailored to those venturing into trading forex and CFDs. Both OANDA and BDSwiss provide a minimum of 10 educational materials, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. They also host monthly online educational webinars and maintain a searchable archive of past sessions, making it easy for beginners to access valuable information at their convenience.
OANDA and BDSwiss also provide over 10 educational videos catering to beginners and advanced traders alike, with comprehensive guides targeting those at different stages of their trading journey. Furthermore, both offer an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, enhancing the learning experience for new traders. Despite these similarities, OANDA is rated 5 stars for education, while BDSwiss receives 4 stars. Interestingly, BDSwiss is ranked slightly higher at number 19 compared to OANDA's rank of 22 out of 62 brokers in the education category by ForexBrokers.com, suggesting a competitive educational offering from both brokers.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that OANDA is better than BDSwiss. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
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BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 |
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OANDA enables users to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, while both OANDA and BDSwiss provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both OANDA and BDSwiss support ACH/SEPA transfers, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing and withdrawing funds, but only OANDA also offers PayPal as an additional option.
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 | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
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| Review | OANDA Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Regulation | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 81 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | 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 | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | OANDA | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | OANDA Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | BDSwiss Review |
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