Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote vs FXCM, 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.
When comparing Swissquote and FXCM, both online brokers boast high trust ratings by ForexBrokers.com, yet subtle differences set them apart. Swissquote, founded in 1996 and listed on a stock exchange, is distinctively a bank, a factor that adds to its credibility. With a perfect Trust Score of 99, Swissquote holds five Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its highly trusted status. Additionally, it has one Tier-2 license, further cementing its reputable position in the financial market.
FXCM, established in 1999 and also publicly traded, garners a solid Trust Score of 95. Unlike Swissquote, FXCM is not a bank, but it still demonstrates strong credibility with four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. Both Swissquote and FXCM remain top choices for online trading, offering assurance of trust and reliability to their users. Nevertheless, those seeking a banking institution might lean towards Swissquote for its added expertise in the financial sector.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
Swissquote and FXCM present differing approaches to commissions and fees, each catering to specific trader needs. Swissquote, rated 3.5 stars in commissions and fees and ranked 52nd out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, offers the prestige of a Swiss banking affiliation, albeit at a higher cost. Their UK entity provides the most competitive pricing within their offerings, with lower spreads on commission-based accounts, catering well to active traders depositing at least $10,000. Meanwhile, their Luxembourg and Swiss branches maintain similar pricing structures but with varying spreads and deposit requirements, which might not appeal to cost-conscious traders.
FXCM, with a superior 4-star rating and ranked 24th on the same list by ForexBrokers.com, generally offers more competitive pricing, though still slightly above the industry average. FXCM's standard account spreads average around 0.78 pips in the EU, UK, and Australia, with higher costs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Notably, FXCM's commission-based accounts offer tighter spreads, averaging 0.28 pips, excluding commissions, and benefiting from active trader group discounts based on monthly trading volume and location. This makes FXCM a more attractive option for traders focusing on cost-efficiency and willing to trade in significant volumes.
While Swissquote attracts with its banking reputation, FXCM stands out in fee competitiveness with additional savings through its Active Trader Rebate Program. FXCM's rebates cater best to high-volume traders, with discounts scaling up to $25 per million traded, albeit with specific regional availability. Therefore, potential users must weigh the prestige and range of Swissquote against the possibly lower costs and flexible pricing strategies offered by FXCM, aligning their choice with their trading style and volume.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | Starts from $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.78 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.78 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
Swissquote stands out in the online trading world, offering a broad spectrum of investment options. With 472 tradeable symbols and a notable 80 forex pairs, it's a comprehensive choice for diverse trading opportunities. Traders can explore U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, enabling the purchase of significant stocks like Apple and Vodafone, without relying solely on CFDs. Swissquote also provides flexibility in trading both actual cryptocurrencies and derivatives. In addition, Swissquote supports copy trading, making it an attractive option for traders eager to follow successful strategies.
In comparison, FXCM, while offering a variety of opportunities, provides 440 tradeable symbols and a more limited range of 43 forex pairs. FXCM does not offer direct investment in exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, restricting clients to CFD-based trading in these markets. However, they do support copy trading and the trade of cryptocurrency derivatives, though not actual cryptocurrencies. Swissquote outshines FXCM with a higher rating of 5 stars for Range of Investments, significantly ranking #2 out of 62 brokers, while FXCM holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks at #47 in the same category.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 43 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms of Swissquote and FXCM, both brokers offer a range of features to accommodate different trading needs. Each provides a proprietary platform developed in-house, as well as Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms. For beginners and those looking to practice their strategies, both brokers offer simulated trading with a free virtual demo account. In terms of copy trading, both Swissquote and FXCM support it, but FXCM stands out with additional access to ZuluTrade, while Swissquote does not. While both offer MetaTrader 4, only Swissquote provides MetaTrader 5, offering additional features for traders who seek advanced functionalities.
Swissquote and FXCM also offer direct trading from stock charts, enhancing ease for traders who prefer a visual approach. When it comes to technical analysis tools, Swissquote supports a significantly higher number of drawing tools with 75, compared to FXCM's 10. FXCM, however, slightly edges out Swissquote in terms of watch list customization with 13 columns as opposed to Swissquote's 11. Despite Swissquote's solid offering, FXCM is rated higher for trading platforms and tools with five stars, versus Swissquote’s 4.5 stars. Moreover, FXCM is ranked #6 by ForexBrokers.com out of 62 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, reflecting its reputation and reliability, while Swissquote holds the #11 spot.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 10 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 13 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to trading on-the-go, both Swissquote and FXCM offer comprehensive mobile apps available on iPhone and Android devices. These apps allow users to receive crucial stock or forex price alerts, ensuring investors can stay informed. For those who enjoy an interactive experience, both platforms deliver with features like trendline drawing and viewing multiple time frames on charts. In addition, each app saves chart drawings automatically, providing convenience for frequent traders.
However, when diving deeper, there are some differences. Swissquote provides 30 technical studies for charting, while FXCM stands out with 59 studies. FXCM also syncs watchlists between the mobile app and the user's online account for seamless updates, a feature Swissquote doesn't offer. Although both apps are highly rated at 4.5 stars each, Swissquote ranks higher in the Mobile Trading Apps category at #10 compared to FXCM’s #16, according to ForexBrokers.com. With both apps offering the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, traders can rely on either for a solid mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 59 |
| 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.
Both Swissquote and FXCM offer daily market commentary and deliver forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Swissquote stands out by providing technical analysis tools from Autochartist, yet FXCM offers a different kind of value with tools from Trading Central and sentiment-based trading tools that highlight the trading ratios across currency pairs. Both platforms feature economic calendars that provide insight into upcoming global news events, helping traders stay informed about the bigger economic picture.
While Swissquote is rated four stars for research, FXCM edges slightly ahead with a 4.5-star rating. This slightly higher rating reflects FXCM's additional offerings in market research, such as insights from TipRanks. Among a field of 62 brokers, Swissquote holds the 16th spot in ForexBrokers.com's research category, whereas FXCM is ranked 11th, underlining its strong research capabilities. With both platforms offering valuable tools for traders, the choice ultimately hinges on the specific features and research tools that most align with an individual's trading strategy.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners between online brokers Swissquote and FXCM, both platforms offer substantial educational content for those new to trading. Swissquote provides a rich assortment of learning materials, including more than ten pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, alongside monthly webinars and a comprehensive archive of past recordings. They also furnish a variety of beginner-friendly educational videos and a dictionary defining over 50 investing terms. Similarly, FXCM offers an impressive suite of educational resources, with over ten pieces on primary trading topics, ongoing monthly webinars, archived sessions, and a beginner video series. Like Swissquote, FXCM has an investor dictionary with more than 50 defined terms.
Both Swissquote and FXCM cater well to beginners with their educational offerings, but FXCM receives slightly higher recognition in the educational sphere. While Swissquote boasts a commendable education rating of four out of five stars and ranks 21st out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM edges ahead with a 4.5-star rating and a higher ranking at 14th place. Whether you choose Swissquote or FXCM, beginners are met with solid educational content, making either broker a worthy choice for those starting their trading journey.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Swissquote is better than FXCM. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 |
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Swissquote provides investors the capability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies in addition to cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas FXCM only offers the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Swissquote and FXCM both offer a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, making them versatile choices for online brokerage services.
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 | Swissquote | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | FXCM | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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) | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 440 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 43 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.78 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.78 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | Starts from $50 | |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 13 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 10 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 59 | |
| 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 | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Swissquote Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | FXCM Review |
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