Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets and Swissquote are both well-established online brokerages that are publicly traded, with CMC Markets founded in 1989 and Swissquote in 1996. While CMC Markets is not a bank, Swissquote holds the distinction of being both a bank and a brokerage service provider. Both companies have achieved an exceptional Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99, making them highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com standards.
In terms of regulatory credentials, CMC Markets and Swissquote each hold five Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly trustworthy. Additionally, CMC Markets holds one Tier-2 license while Swissquote holds two, indicating a solid commitment to maintaining trusted operations. Both brokers offer clients peace of mind through a strong regulatory framework, reflecting their dedication to safety and reliability in trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | Yes |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When it comes to online trading, comparing CMC Markets and Swissquote provides key insights into their commissions and fees. CMC Markets stands out as the top choice, having clinched the #1 spot in ForexBrokers.com’s 2025 rankings for this category, with a stellar 5-star rating. This accolade arises from its consistently low spreads, such as the 0.61 pips on EUR/USD in August 2023, which make it attractive for traders of all profiles. Through its innovative Price Plus Scheme, active traders can enjoy discounts based on trading volumes. Furthermore, the FX Active pricing structure offers highly competitive spreads with a $2.50 commission per side, ensuring low total costs across key currency pairs.
Swissquote, on the other hand, fetches a 3.5-star rating and ranks #52 among 62 brokers for commissions and fees. While Swissquote’s appeal largely stems from being a part of a respected Swiss banking conglomerate, its trading costs are less competitive in comparison. The U.K. branch provides some relief with marginally lighter fees and deposit requirements. The Elite and Professional accounts in the U.K. offer more favorable terms for active traders, including spreads starting at 0.6 pips for the Prime account, but the Standard account's 1.3 pips spread on EUR/USD could be higher than anticipated for cost-conscious traders. Across its European branches, similar account types extend but come with varying deposit criteria and spreads.
In essence, while CMC Markets takes the lead in offering low-cost trading options that cater to all customer segments, Swissquote's trading costs reflect a premium typically associated with Swiss financial institutions. Those seeking lower cost structures may find optimized value with CMC Markets, whereas Swissquote might appeal to those prioritizing the prestige of Swiss banking despite its higher trading costs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 the range of investments between CMC Markets and Swissquote, both brokers offer diverse opportunities for traders. CMC Markets provides a vast array of 11,925 tradeable symbols, which include 156 forex pairs. In contrast, Swissquote offers a selection of 472 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs. Both platforms support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, allowing traders to engage in currency markets with flexibility. For those interested in traditional stocks, both brokers enable trading of exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, including popular companies like Apple and Vodafone.
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts will find notable differences in offerings: Swissquote allows purchases of actual cryptocurrencies, while CMC Markets does not provide this, only offering cryptocurrency derivatives. Both brokers are supportive of modern trading methodologies like copy trading, appealing to a wide range of strategies. Despite these differences, CMC Markets and Swissquote both earn a 5-star rating for their range of investments. According to ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote ranks higher at #2 compared to CMC Markets' position at #9, highlighting Swissquote's slightly superior standing in providing diverse investment options.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 472 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 80 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 CMC Markets and Swissquote stand out as compelling choices for online brokers. Each offers a comprehensive trading experience with options for simulated trading via free virtual demo accounts, which is a great way for beginners to practice. Both brokers have developed proprietary platforms while also supporting popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Their platforms are accessible through both Windows-based desktop applications and web-based interfaces, ensuring versatility and convenience. One can also find copy trading features with each broker, enhancing user connectivity and strategy sharing.
Charting tools are robust with CMC Markets offering 40 drawing tools, while Swissquote edges out with 75. Users can trade directly from charts on both platforms, providing seamless trading experiences. Watch lists with 11 columns each ensure comprehensive market tracking. Notably, CMC Markets is highly rated with five stars for trading platforms and tools, ranking #4 among 62 brokers. Swissquote closely follows with a 4.5-star rating and a #12 ranking. Despite slight differences, both brokers offer a wide array of features that cater to both novice and seasoned traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 79 | 86 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 75 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and Swissquote, both platforms offer applications compatible with iPhone and Android devices. They also provide stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. Users can expect real-time quotes for watchlists from both apps. However, a notable distinction is that CMC Markets allows watchlist symbol syncing, unlike Swissquote. This feature means that any changes you make to your watchlist on the mobile app are also reflected on your online account and vice versa, providing seamless integration across devices.
In terms of charting, Swissquote offers a slight edge with 30 technical studies compared to CMC Markets' 29. Both apps ensure that any drawings made on stock or forex charts are automatically saved, so users do not lose their progress. Despite these close similarities, CMC Markets receives a higher user satisfaction rating for its mobile app with a perfect five-star score, while Swissquote clocks in at 4.5 stars. Additionally, in ForexBrokers.com's rankings for Mobile Trading Apps, CMC Markets holds the 5th position among 62 brokers, outpacing Swissquote, which is ranked 11th. This suggests a preference for CMC Markets among users who prioritize a streamlined, versatile mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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 CMC Markets and Swissquote for market research offerings, both brokers provide strong features that cater to traders looking for daily insights and updates. CMC Markets and Swissquote both offer daily market commentary and deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. In addition, they both utilize Autochartist for technical and fundamental research tools, although neither broker features Trading Central's analytics or research tools from Acuity Trading or TipRanks. CMC Markets stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long or short positions, a feature that Swissquote does not offer.
Both CMC Markets and Swissquote equip traders with an economic calendar showcasing global news events. However, CMC Markets edges ahead in overall efficiency and appeal, achieving a 5-star research rating compared to Swissquote's 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets ranks higher at number 6 out of 62 brokers for research capabilities, while Swissquote comes in at number 16. This positioning illustrates that CMC Markets offers a slightly more comprehensive range of tools and insights to aid traders in making informed decisions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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.
When comparing CMC Markets and Swissquote in terms of educational resources for beginners, both supply a wealth of valuable learning materials. Each platform offers more than ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, ensuring a good starting point for those new to trading. They both provide accessible content like articles, videos, and archived webinars. Furthermore, both brokers offer over ten beginner-focused educational videos, along with a comprehensive investor dictionary containing over fifty essential investment terms. For those interested in more advanced topics, each platform also features at least ten videos catering to experienced traders.
However, there are notable differences between the two. While Swissquote hosts online educational webinars monthly, CMC Markets does not, though both maintain searchable archives of past webinar recordings. In terms of ratings, CMC Markets shines with a 5-star rating for education and is ranked 10th out of 62 brokers in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com. Swissquote, on the other hand, has a solid 4-star rating and is ranked 21st. These distinctions highlight CMC Markets as a slightly more favorable choice for educational resources, especially for beginners looking for comprehensive support.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 CMC Markets is better than Swissquote. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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CMC Markets does not allow the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they do offer cryptocurrency derivatives, while Swissquote provides the option to buy both actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and Swissquote, both offer ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but only Swissquote supports transactions via Skrill.
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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Swissquote Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 472 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 80 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 86 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 75 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 29 | 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 | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | 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 | CMC Markets Review | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Swissquote Review |
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