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 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Trust rank #30 · Editorial rating 8.7 / 10 · Founded 1977
HYCM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering access to a broad range of currency pairs and other markets on MetaTrader platforms. It provides flexible account types, education and research resources,…
Read the HYCM review
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 reviewHYCM (United Kingdom, founded 1977) holds 4 regulatory licences (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA), 1 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our medium-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 205 countries; HYCM is available in 0 countries where Swissquote is not, and Swissquote in 26 where HYCM is not.
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.
| Criteria | HYCM | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | 8.7 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Trust rank | #30 | #5 |
| Founded | 1977 | 1996 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Switzerland |
| Regulators | CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA | CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA |
| Broker type | Market Maker, STP | STP |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5, Proprietary |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals |
| Countries accepted | 205 countries | 231 countries |
| Fee level | Medium | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD Trading, Spot Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Professional Trading, Retail Trading | Professional 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.
Available at both (205): Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica and 165 more.
Only Swissquote (26): Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, South Sudan, Spain, Tanzania and 1 more.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
HYCM holds more regulatory licences: HYCM (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA) versus Swissquote (CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA). Tier-1 licences: HYCM 1, Swissquote 3.
HYCM offers MT4, MT5; Swissquote offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.
Swissquote is in the lower fee bracket (medium vs low) in our catalogue.
HYCM is the older of the two, founded in 1977; Swissquote was founded in 1996.
They overlap in 205 countries. HYCM is additionally available in 0 countries () and Swissquote in 26 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Cambodia and 20 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.