Swissquote
Swissquote is a Swiss‑based online bank and broker founded in 1996, publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and regulated by FINMA and multiple Tier‑1 regulators worldwide. It combines high‑trust bank‑grade custody with broad multi‑asset access – forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs, bonds, options and cryptos – and a proprietary platform ecosystem supplemented by MetaTrader and Advanced Trader. Its premium fee structure and minimum deposit of $1,000 mean it suits clients who prioritise safety and Swiss branding over rock‑bottom trading costs.
Min. Deposit
$1000
Max Leverage
1:100
Est.
1996
Regulated by
FXJ Score
7.4
/ 10Execution Model
ECN
How orders are processed
Segregated Funds
Yes
Client funds held separately
Negative Balance
Protected
You cannot lose more than you deposit
Scalping
Not Allowed
Short-term high-frequency trading
Pros
Top‑tier regulation and bank licence (FINMA, plus FCA, CSSF, DFSA, SFC, MAS, CySEC and others).
Broad multi‑asset offering covering forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs, bonds, options and crypto.
Negative balance protection for EU retail forex and CFD clients.
Robust proprietary platforms, MetaTrader integration and Advanced Trader with fast execution and high fill rates.
Free wire deposits, structured ETF fee reductions and strong transparency around entity‑specific fees.
Cons
Minimum deposit of $1,000 and higher-tier thresholds ($10,000, $50,000) make Swissquote less accessible to small retail accounts.
Forex, stock, and ETF trading fees are generally high compared with discount brokers; Elite accounts help, but not enough to make Swissquote a cost leader.
Quarterly platform/account fees vary by branch and can be punitive in some regions (e.g., Middle East & Asia).
No copy/social trading for retail forex clients, and some retail traders may find the entity/fee structure complex to navigate.
Typical Spreads
Varies by account type| Symbol | Category | Typical Spread | Min Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Forex | 1.4 pips | 1.1 pips |
| GBP/USD | Forex | 1.5 pips | 1.1 pips |
| USD/JPY | Forex | 1.4 pips | 1.1 pips |
| S&P 500 | Index | 1.4 pips | 1.1 pips |
| XAU/USD | Commodity | 1.3 pips | 1.1 pips |
Typical Spread
1.4 pips
Min Spread
1.1 pips
Typical Spread
1.5 pips
Min Spread
1.1 pips
Typical Spread
1.4 pips
Min Spread
1.1 pips
Typical Spread
1.4 pips
Min Spread
1.1 pips
Typical Spread
1.3 pips
Min Spread
1.1 pips
Account Currencies
Deposit Methods
Withdrawal Methods
Account Types
Standard
Entry‑level forex/CFD account with minimum deposit $1,000, all‑in spreads and no separate commission; spreads are widest at this tier, making it suitable for clients who prioritise Swiss bank safety over ultra‑tight pricing.
Premium
Mid‑tier account with minimum deposit $10,000, slightly tighter floating spreads with all costs embedded, and lower per‑lot fees compared to Standard; intended for more serious traders who still prefer simplicity over commission‑based structures.
Prime
High‑tier account with minimum deposit $50,000, offering the lowest all‑in spreads (e.g. EUR/USD from 1.1 pips) and better overall conditions for larger capital bases; cost per standard lot is around $11, making it more competitive than Standard but still not as cheap as raw ECN brokers.
Elite
Commission‑based forex account for EU clients with raw spreads that can drop to 0.0 pips on EUR/USD plus €2.50 per side (€5 round‑turn), designed for more active traders who accept commission transparency and want lower spread costs within the Swissquote ecosystem.
Multi‑asset banking/investing accounts
Swissquote offers various investing and private banking accounts for stocks, ETFs, funds, options and structured products, with quarterly platform fees that vary by branch (Swiss, Luxembourg, Middle East & Asia) and specific fee reductions on Prime Partner ETFs; these are more investment‑oriented than trading‑focused accounts.
Platforms
Instruments
FX Junction Verdict
Overall, Swissquote is a premium broker‑bank best suited to clients who consciously trade off higher trading and platform fees for near‑unmatched safety, multi‑regulation and broad multi‑asset access in a Swiss banking environment. It stands out as a secure home for more substantial portfolios and cross‑asset strategies rather than a budget choice for fee‑sensitive day traders. Swissquote is clearly above average and highly trusted, but it earns that trust at a price that not every trader will be willing to pay.