AvaTrade vs Swissquote (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
AvaTrade is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering multiple trading platforms, broad market access, and educational resources. It provides market research and risk management tools with an emphasis on platform reliability…
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…
AvaTrade (Ireland, founded 2006) holds 8 regulatory licences (ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ…), 3 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary 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 216 countries; AvaTrade is available in 0 countries where Swissquote is not, and Swissquote in 15 where AvaTrade is not.
Verdict at a glance
AvaTrade leads on regulatory coverage.
Swissquote leads on trust rank, track record and country coverage.
Level on platform choice, instrument range, fee level and tier-1 licences.
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.
AvaTrade vs Swissquote: side-by-side data
Criteria
AvaTrade
Swissquote
Editorial rating
Not verified
10 / 10
Trust rank
#12
#5
Founded
2006
1996
Headquarters
Ireland
Switzerland
Regulators
ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ, FSCA, ISA, JFSA
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
AvaTrade
Multi-jurisdiction regulation
MT4/MT5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader, AvaOptions support
Fixed-spread account option
ZuluTrade and DupliTrade copy trading
AvaProtect trade-loss 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
AvaTrade
Market-maker model (no ECN/DMA)
Higher spreads than ECN brokers
Inactivity and administration fees
Not available to U.S. residents
Not FCA-regulated (UK)
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
AvaTrade
Multi jurisdiction regulation client fund segregation and negative balance protection
MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 AvaTradeGO and WebTrader platforms
Forex and CFD trading on indices commodities metals equities and cryptocurrencies
Vanilla FX options trading with AvaOptions
Copy trading with ZuluTrade DupliTrade and AvaSocial
AvaProtect risk management for loss protection
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: AvaTrade vs Swissquote
Available at both (216): Albania, 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, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and 176 more.
Only Swissquote (15): Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Guernsey, India, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jersey, Lebanon, Libya, New Zealand, Somalia, South Sudan, United Kingdom, Yemen.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
Which is older, AvaTrade or Swissquote?
Swissquote is the older of the two, founded in 1996; AvaTrade was founded in 2006.
Are AvaTrade and Swissquote available in the same countries?
They overlap in 216 countries. AvaTrade is additionally available in 0 countries () and Swissquote in 15 countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Guernsey, India, Iraq and 9 more).
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.