Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Questrade 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.
Questrade, established in 2000, and BDSwiss, founded in 2012, are two well-known online brokers, though neither is publicly traded or operates as a bank. In terms of regulatory strength, Questrade holds two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a recognized level of high trust, while BDSwiss holds one Tier-1 license, signifying a similar commitment to security at a slightly lesser tier. Unfortunately, neither broker holds any Tier-2 licenses.
Considering their Trust Scores from ForexBrokers.com, Questrade scores an 86 out of 99, marking it as a trusted brokerage service. On the other hand, BDSwiss scores a 73, which categorizes it as having an average risk. These ratings suggest that while both brokers offer reputable services, Questrade may provide a slightly more trusted option for investors prioritizing regulatory trust and licensing.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Questrade and BDSwiss, there are notable differences that potential investors should consider. Questrade's commission structure falls short with a target spread of 1.9 pips on EUR/USD, an amount that is higher than the industry average. This higher spread impacts the cost-effectiveness of trading with Questrade, resulting in a rating of 3 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. According to ForexBrokers.com, Questrade is placed near the bottom, ranking 57th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category.
BDSwiss, on the other hand, offers a more attractive option for those mindful of trading costs, despite not having the lowest spreads in the industry. The Classic account features a spread of 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, which is considered high. However, BDSwiss offers a Raw account with a more competitive spread of 0.3 pips, accompanied by a $5 commission per side, making the total effective spread 1.3 pips. The VIP account further reduces costs with a spread of 1.2 pips. This fee structure earns BDSwiss a higher rating of 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, placing it at 29th out of 62 brokers in this category, as per ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing Questrade and BDSwiss, both platforms provide the common option of forex trading as CFDs, catering to investors interested in the foreign exchange market. However, in terms of overall tradeable symbols, BDSwiss offers an impressive range of 1081 options compared to Questrade's 641, highlighting a broader selection on the BDSwiss platform. Interestingly, Questrade leads in offering tradeable forex pairs with 110 available, exceeding BDSwiss's 53 pairs, which may appeal to forex-focused traders. Both brokers offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. It’s worth noting that BDSwiss offers copy trading services, while Questrade does not, giving BDSwiss an edge for those interested in replicating the strategies of successful investors.
Questrade stands out with more opportunities to directly buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges. This includes stocks like Apple on the NASDAQ, a feature BDSwiss does not offer as it focuses more on CFDs. This focus on direct security trading contributes to Questrade's impressive 5-star rating for its Range of Investments, placing it as the 11th ranked broker out of 62 by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, BDSwiss, with its 4-star rating, is ranked 34th, which reflects its limitations in offering direct stock investments yet maintaining a substantial variety of tradeable symbols overall. Therefore, investors prioritizing direct investments in stocks may find Questrade the more attractive option, while those interested in a wider variety of symbols, including CFDs and copy trading, might lean towards BDSwiss.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Both Questrade and BDSwiss provide traders with a smooth trading experience through their proprietary platforms and offer free virtual demo accounts for practice. Both brokers support web-based and Windows desktop platforms, ensuring flexibility. However, BDSwiss takes an edge by offering the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which enhances its capabilities for a broader range of traders. In contrast, Questrade offers DupliTrade, a feature not available with BDSwiss, but it lacks support for copy trading that BDSwiss provides.
When considering charting tools, Questrade surpasses BDSwiss by offering 20 drawing tools compared to BDSwiss's 15. While both allow trading directly from stock charts, Questrade also leads when it comes to watch list customization, offering 52 columns in contrast to BDSwiss's 7. Both platforms have received a rating of four stars for their trading tools, with Questrade ranking at 34th and BDSwiss at 24th out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. This makes both platforms commendable choices, depending on a trader’s specific preferences and needs.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Questrade and BDSwiss offer convenient mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring traders can stay connected and responsive no matter where they are. Users of both platforms can set up stock or forex price alerts and create watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing their ability to make informed trading decisions. However, those looking for seamless integration between devices will find Questrade's mobile app offering symbol syncing across its platforms, a feature absent in BDSwiss's app.
When it comes to charting capabilities, Questrade edges ahead with 64 technical studies compared to BDSwiss's 30. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and auto-save chart drawings. Despite these distinctions, each app has earned a solid four-star rating for mobile trading, reflecting a balance of features and user satisfaction. Interestingly, ForexBrokers.com ranks Questrade at #34 and BDSwiss slightly higher at #23 out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, indicating a broader preference for BDSwiss's offering within the trading community.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 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 Questrade and BDSwiss, users will appreciate the deeper insights provided by BDSwiss, especially with its daily market commentary. While neither platform offers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, both provide valuable technical analysis and fundamental research tools from industry leaders like Autochartist and Trading Central. This level of support can be advantageous for traders who rely heavily on analytical tools. On the other hand, Questrade distinguishes itself by offering market research from TipRanks, which BDSwiss lacks, adding another layer of insight for its users.
Both platforms offer economic calendars that display global news events, which are essential for traders focused on macroeconomic trends. However, when it comes to overall research ratings, BDSwiss holds a higher position with four stars compared to Questrade's 3.5. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where BDSwiss comes in at a commendable 23rd out of 62 brokers, while Questrade is further down the list at 51st. For traders seeking a comprehensive research experience, BDSwiss might be the more appealing option, especially given its stronger ratings and regular market commentary.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by Questrade and BDSwiss, both brokers provide a good selection of materials tailored for beginners interested in forex and CFDs. Each platform boasts a minimum of ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, to help new traders understand these complex markets. However, BDSwiss offers a more comprehensive educational experience with monthly online webinars and a useful investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, which Questrade does not provide.
Additionally, both platforms maintain an archive of past webinars that clients can search through, ensuring flexible learning opportunities. While both brokers deliver beginner-friendly educational videos, BDSwiss distinguishes itself by offering advanced videos tailored for experienced traders, filling a gap that exists in Questrade's offerings. Consequently, BDSwiss scores a higher education rating of 4 stars and ranks #19 among 62 brokers, compared to Questrade's 3.5 stars and #36 ranking, highlighting BDSwiss's stronger commitment to investor education.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Questrade is better than BDSwiss. Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
Regulated in both the U.S. and Canada, Questrade is a trusted full-service multi-asset broker now offering forex and CFDs alongside its stock trading services for active and passive investors. While its scope of educational resources and in-house research is limited, Questrade has an impressive platform lineup.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Questrade and BDSwiss do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies but offer the capability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
In comparing online brokers, Questrade and BDSwiss both support deposits and withdrawals via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while BDSwiss also offers additional flexibility with ACH, SEPA, and Skrill options, unlike Questrade, which does not provide these transfer methods.
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 | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Questrade | 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 | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | 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). |
| Cost | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | No |
| Funding | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | $10-$5000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 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 | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Questrade | 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 | Questrade Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | Questrade | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review | BDSwiss Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill