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

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

FXCM

Trust rank #9 · Founded 1999

FXCM is a well-regarded forex broker that provides access to currency pairs on proprietary and third-party trading platforms, with market research, education, and risk management tools. It operates through regulated entities.

Read the FXCM 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

FXCM (United Kingdom, founded 1999) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, 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 226 countries; FXCM is available in 0 countries where Swissquote is not, and Swissquote in 5 where FXCM is not.

Verdict at a glance

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

FXCM vs Swissquote: side-by-side data

CriteriaFXCMSwissquote
Editorial ratingNot verified10 / 10
Trust rank#9#5
Founded19991996
HeadquartersUnited KingdomSwitzerland
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCACSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA
Broker typeSTPSTP
PlatformsMT4, Proprietary, TradingViewMT4, MT5, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, IndicesCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted226 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

FXCM

  • FCA- and ASIC-regulated; segregated client funds
  • NDD/STP agency execution; deep liquidity
  • Trading Station and MT4; advanced charting and order types
  • REST/FIX APIs and Python SDK; VPS support for algos
  • Broad instrument range: FX, indices, commodities, crypto CFDs

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

FXCM

  • Not available to U.S. clients
  • Inactivity fee
  • Limited product range
  • Best pricing requires high balance/volume
  • Offshore unregulated entity exposure

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

FXCM

  • STP No Dealing Desk Forex Execution
  • Multi Asset Forex and CFD Trading
  • Trading Station MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader and TradingView Integration
  • REST and FIX API and VPS for Algorithmic Trading
  • FCA ASIC and FSCA Regulation with Segregated Funds and Negative Balance Protection
  • Active Trader Account with Volume Based Pricing

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: FXCM vs Swissquote

Available at both (226): 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 186 more.

Only Swissquote (5): Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan.

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

FXCM vs Swissquote: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FXCM or Swissquote?

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

Which trading platforms do FXCM and Swissquote offer?

FXCM offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView; Swissquote offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, FXCM 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, FXCM or Swissquote?

Swissquote is the older of the two, founded in 1996; FXCM was founded in 1999.

Are FXCM and Swissquote available in the same countries?

They overlap in 226 countries. FXCM is additionally available in 0 countries () and Swissquote in 5 countries (Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan).

Keep comparing

FXCM

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.