FOREX.com vs Swissquote (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

Advertiser disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning BrokerCatalogue may earn a commission if you open an account. This never affects the data shown here, which is drawn from our catalogue and compared mechanically. How we make money.

Data refreshed 25 Sep 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

FOREX.com

Trust rank #1 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 2001

FOREX.com is a well-regarded forex broker offering broad access to forex markets through web, desktop, and mobile platforms, with research, education, and risk management tools. It operates under applicable regulatory oversight in…

Read the FOREX.com 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

FOREX.com (United States, founded 2001) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA), 4 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView 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 230 countries; FOREX.com is available in 1 countries where Swissquote is not, and Swissquote in 1 where FOREX.com is not.

Verdict at a glance

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

Scored on 9 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.

FOREX.com vs Swissquote: side-by-side data

CriteriaFOREX.comSwissquote
Editorial rating10 / 1010 / 10
Trust rank#1#5
Founded20011996
HeadquartersUnited StatesSwitzerland
RegulatorsASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFACSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA
Broker typeDMA, Market Maker, STPSTP
PlatformsMT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingViewMT4, MT5, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted231 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

FOREX.com

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation (US/UK/CA)
  • Accepts US clients
  • Proprietary platform + MT4/MT5 support
  • Competitive spreads with raw/commission pricing options
  • Extensive FX pair offering

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

FOREX.com

  • No CFDs for U.S. clients
  • FIFO and no-hedging rules on U.S. accounts
  • No negative balance protection in the U.S.
  • Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
  • High minimum balance for STP Pro/DMA accounts

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

FOREX.com

  • Spot forex and multi asset CFD trading
  • Top tier regulation and segregated client funds
  • MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 and Advanced Trading platform
  • TradingView integration and advanced charting tools
  • API trading via REST and FIX plus VPS support
  • Raw pricing with commission and standard spread only accounts

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: FOREX.com vs Swissquote

Available at both (230): 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, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China and 190 more.

Only FOREX.com (1): United States of America.

Only Swissquote (1): Belgium.

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

FOREX.com vs Swissquote: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FOREX.com or Swissquote?

FOREX.com holds more regulatory licences: FOREX.com (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA) versus Swissquote (CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA). Tier-1 licences: FOREX.com 4, Swissquote 3.

Which trading platforms do FOREX.com and Swissquote offer?

FOREX.com offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView; Swissquote offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, FOREX.com 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, FOREX.com or Swissquote?

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

Are FOREX.com and Swissquote available in the same countries?

They overlap in 230 countries. FOREX.com is additionally available in 1 countries (United States of America) and Swissquote in 1 countries (Belgium).

Keep comparing

FOREX.com

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.