Admirals vs Swissquote (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

Admirals

Trust rank #13 · Founded 2001

Admirals is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad market access, user-friendly platforms, and integrated research and education. It provides a range of account options and risk management tools under established…

Read the Admirals review

Swissquote

Trust rank #5 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 1996

Swissquote provides forex and multi-asset trading through proprietary and third-party platforms, with research, education, and customer support. It is well-regarded for a broad product range, clear pricing, and tools suitable for different…

Read the Swissquote review

Admirals (Estonia, founded 2001) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSC), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. Swissquote (Switzerland, founded 1996) holds 4 regulatory licences (CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA), 3 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 228 countries; Admirals is available in 0 countries where Swissquote is not, and Swissquote in 3 where Admirals is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • Admirals leads on regulatory coverage.
  • Swissquote leads on trust rank, track record, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on instrument range and fee level.

Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

Admirals vs Swissquote: side-by-side data

CriteriaAdmiralsSwissquote
Editorial ratingNot verified10 / 10
Trust rank#13#5
Founded20011996
HeadquartersEstoniaSwitzerland
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSCCSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA
Broker typeMarket Maker, STPSTP
PlatformsMT4, MT5MT4, MT5, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted228 countries231 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesProfessional Trading, Retail TradingProfessional Trading, Retail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

Admirals

  • FCA, ASIC, CySEC regulation
  • MT4/MT5 with MetaTrader Supreme Edition
  • Zero Accounts with raw spreads and low commissions
  • Wide multi-asset range (FX, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, crypto CFDs)
  • Volatility Protection and negative balance protection

Swissquote

  • FINMA-regulated Swiss bank; publicly listed (SIX)
  • Segregated client funds with Swiss deposit protection up to CHF 100,000
  • NDD/STP execution with multi-bank liquidity
  • MT4/MT5 and Advanced Trader; FIX API access
  • 80+ FX pairs plus CFDs and crypto

Cons

Admirals

  • Charges inactivity fee
  • Limited free withdrawals
  • No cTrader platform support
  • Leverage capped at 1:30 for EU/UK retail
  • Not available to U.S. residents

Swissquote

  • Higher spreads than many ECN brokers
  • High minimum deposit for tighter pricing tiers
  • No cTrader platform support
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Negative balance protection varies by entity

Key features

Admirals

  • Forex and CFD trading on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5
  • Invest MT5 real stocks and ETFs
  • Multi jurisdiction regulation and segregated client funds
  • Negative balance protection and volatility protection
  • Zero account raw spreads with market execution
  • MetaTrader Supreme Edition and premium analytics

Swissquote

  • Swiss bank regulation FINMA and FCA oversight
  • Advanced Trader MT4 and MT5 platforms
  • Wide range of forex and CFD instruments
  • Deep liquidity and competitive spreads
  • Research and trading tools Trading Central and Autochartist
  • Secure client fund segregation and deposit protection

Country availability: Admirals vs Swissquote

Available at both (228): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island and 188 more.

Only Swissquote (3): Belgium, Canada, Japan.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

Admirals vs Swissquote: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Admirals or Swissquote?

Admirals holds more regulatory licences: Admirals (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSC) versus Swissquote (CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA). Tier-1 licences: Admirals 2, Swissquote 3.

Which trading platforms do Admirals and Swissquote offer?

Admirals offers MT4, MT5; Swissquote offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, Admirals or Swissquote?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, Admirals or Swissquote?

Swissquote is the older of the two, founded in 1996; Admirals was founded in 2001.

Are Admirals and Swissquote available in the same countries?

They overlap in 228 countries. Admirals is additionally available in 0 countries () and Swissquote in 3 countries (Belgium, Canada, Japan).

Keep comparing

Admirals

Swissquote

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.