Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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.
IG and Swissquote are both respected names in the online brokerage industry, and they are highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, each receiving a top Trust Score of 99. Both companies are longstanding players in the financial market, with IG founded in 1974 and Swissquote in 1996. As publicly traded entities and registered banks, IG and Swissquote offer a secure platform for trading. Where these brokers differ is in their regulatory licenses. IG holds eight Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com, along with two Tier-2 licenses. In contrast, Swissquote holds five Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license.
| Feature |
IG
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of IG and Swissquote, IG stands out with a rating of five stars, securing the 8th spot among 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. IG offers scalable execution with multiple methods, including Forex Direct accounts for active traders. The average spread on IG’s main Forex Direct account in July 2023 was 0.62 pips, with an all-in cost of 0.82 pips after commissions. For CFD accounts, spreads averaged 0.69 pips during peak trading hours, slightly below the industry average. IG’s active trader rebates offer further discount for high-volume traders, with rebates reaching up to 20% for those trading over £300 million monthly. Additionally, IG provides a DMA account with a commission-based structure, offering significant discounts for traders handling large volumes.
On the other hand, Swissquote, rated 3.5 stars and ranked 52nd, is known for its premium banking features but falls behind in competitive pricing. The Swissquote U.K. branch offers four main accounts, with the Elite account standing out for active traders with lower spreads and a $5 per round-turn commission. Spreads start at 1.3 pips for the Standard account and can drop to 0.6 pips with the Prime account, although this is the minimum spread. The Luxembourg branch's minimum spreads range from 0.8 pips to 1.5 pips, depending on the account tier, while the Swiss branch offers slightly higher spreads with a $1,000 minimum for the Standard account. Swissquote’s pricing varies significantly across its branches, with custom options available for high-volume traders.
Overall, IG provides more attractive pricing options and flexibility for high-volume traders compared to Swissquote. IG’s robust infrastructure and competitive Forex Direct accounts make it an appealing choice for those looking to execute large orders with favorable conditions. In contrast, Swissquote’s pricing reflects the cost of banking with a well-regarded Swiss institution, making it less suited for traders focused on minimizing trading costs.
| Feature |
IG
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $1000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 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.
For investors seeking a wide range of trading options, both IG and Swissquote offer extensive choices, though they each have unique strengths. IG stands out with an impressive 19,537 tradeable symbols, including 97 forex pairs, allowing users access to diverse markets. Their offerings include forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, and they enable the trading of U.S. and international exchange securities. While IG doesn't provide copy trading or the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, they do offer cryptocurrency derivatives for those interested in digital currencies.
Swissquote, on the other hand, offers a smaller but robust selection of 472 tradeable symbols with 80 forex pairs. Like IG, they allow trading of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international markets. However, a distinct advantage for Swissquote is their support for copy trading, and they also allow clients to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, providing more flexibility for crypto enthusiasts. Both platforms boast a five-star rating for their range of investments, with Swissquote securing a slightly higher rank at #2 compared to IG's #4 in the same category according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
IG
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 472 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 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.
IG and Swissquote both offer a comprehensive range of trading platforms and tools suitable for both beginners and seasoned traders. Both brokers provide a free virtual demo account for simulated trading, allowing new users to practice and experienced traders to test strategies. Each broker has developed proprietary platforms, ensuring tailored user experiences in addition to support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Windows desktop and web-based platforms are available from both IG and Swissquote, making trading accessible across various devices. Swissquote enhances its platform offerings with MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and copy trading features, which IG does not support. However, neither broker currently supports ZuluTrade or DupliTrade.
When it comes to charting tools, IG provides a selection of 20 drawing tools, while Swissquote offers a more extensive array of 75 drawing tools. Both brokers enable traders to execute trades directly from stock charts. For organizing market insights, IG's watch lists feature five columns, whereas Swissquote expands this capacity to eleven columns. IG scores slightly higher for its trading platforms and tools, earning a perfect 5-star rating compared to Swissquote's 4.5 stars. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, IG stands at an impressive second place out of 62 brokers, while Swissquote is ranked eleventh. These distinctions reflect the powerful platform capabilities each broker offers to meet varying trader needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 86 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 75 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IG and Swissquote, both offer comprehensive solutions for traders with apps available on iPhone and Android devices. They both enable users to receive stock or forex price alerts, view different time frames on charts, and draw trendlines. While both platforms allow real-time quote watchlists, only IG offers seamless watchlist syncing between the mobile app and the user's online account. Additionally, IG provides 33 technical studies in its mobile app charting compared to Swissquote's 30 studies.
This added functionality might contribute to IG's slightly higher overall rating for mobile trading apps, with a perfect 5-star rating compared to Swissquote's still impressive 4.5 stars. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, IG takes the top spot as the number one brokerage among 62 in the Mobile Trading Apps category, whereas Swissquote holds the 10th position. Whether you're after the highest quantity of chart features or prioritizing excellent user ratings, both brokers offer credible options for mobile trading needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 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 IG and Swissquote for market research capabilities, both platforms impress with daily market commentary and access to top-tier forex news sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also offer beneficial tools from Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis. However, IG sets itself apart with additional resources including sentiment-based trading tools that reflect long or short positions across different instruments, market research from TipRanks, and research tools from Acuity Trading. These extra features give IG a slight edge, providing users with a more comprehensive research toolkit.
Both brokers include economic calendars, yet their overall research ratings differ. IG is awarded a perfect 5-star rating and ranks second among 62 brokers for research according to ForexBrokers.com, emphasizing its robust offerings. In contrast, Swissquote holds a respectable 4-star rating and ranks 16th. This comparison shows that while both brokers offer valuable insights and tools, IG offers a slightly richer set of research features for traders looking to dive deeper into market analysis.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both IG and Swissquote offer a rich array of materials to help novice traders get started with forex and CFDs. These online brokers each provide over ten educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. For those who prefer interactive learning experiences, both IG and Swissquote deliver frequent online webinars to engage clients, complete with a searchable archive of past sessions for on-demand access.
Each platform also supplies a host of educational videos tailored to both beginner and advanced traders. Further catering to those new to the world of trading, IG and Swissquote offer comprehensive investor dictionaries, ensuring learners understand the essential terminology. While both brokers excel in their educational offerings, IG edges ahead with a top-tier rating of 5 stars for education and ranks as the number one educational broker according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Swissquote holds a 4-star rating and ranks 21st among 62 brokers.
| Feature |
IG
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than Swissquote. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
Swissquote
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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IG does not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, focusing instead on cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Swissquote provides the option to purchase both actual delivered cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both IG and Swissquote provide a range of convenient deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, though only Swissquote supports Skrill for such transactions.
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 | IG | Swissquote | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Swissquote Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Swissquote | |
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| Regulation | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 472 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 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 | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $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 | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 86 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 75 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | 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 | 33 | 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 | IG | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | 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 | IG Review | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | IG | Swissquote | |
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| Education |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Swissquote Review |
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