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

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

Interactive Brokers

Trust rank #2 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 1977

Interactive Brokers is a well-regarded forex broker providing broad access to currency pairs, advanced trading platforms, and research and risk management tools. It supports multi-asset trading and a wide range of order…

Read the Interactive Brokers 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

Interactive Brokers (United States, founded 1977) holds 15 regulatory licences (ASIC, CBI, CFTC, CIRO, CSSF…), 10 of them tier-1, offers 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 217 countries; Interactive Brokers is available in 1 countries where Swissquote is not, and Swissquote in 14 where Interactive Brokers is not.

Verdict at a glance

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

Interactive Brokers vs Swissquote: side-by-side data

CriteriaInteractive BrokersSwissquote
Editorial rating10 / 1010 / 10
Trust rank#2#5
Founded19771996
HeadquartersUnited StatesSwitzerland
RegulatorsASIC, CBI, CFTC, CIRO, CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINRA, JFSA, MAS, MNB, NFA, SEBI, SEC, SFCCSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA
Broker typeDMASTP
PlatformsProprietaryMT4, MT5, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted218 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

Interactive Brokers

  • Transparent commission-based FX pricing with tight spreads
  • Aggregated multi-bank liquidity (IDEALPRO)
  • Professional platforms (TWS) and institutional APIs (FIX/REST)
  • Advanced risk management with real-time margin analytics
  • Universal multi-asset account for FX hedging and settlement

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

Interactive Brokers

  • No MT4/MT5 support
  • Steep learning curve
  • Commission-based FX pricing
  • 25k IDEALPRO minimum order size
  • Limited funding methods

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

Interactive Brokers

  • Agency model with direct market access to multiple liquidity providers
  • Spot forex and forex CFDs across major and minor pairs
  • Trader Workstation FXTrader with advanced order types and depth of market
  • Smart order routing and transparent interbank pricing with commissions
  • FIX and REST API support for algorithmic forex trading
  • Two factor authentication IB Key and top tier global regulation

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: Interactive Brokers vs Swissquote

Available at both (217): Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and 177 more.

Only Interactive Brokers (1): United States of America.

Only Swissquote (14): Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Iraq, Libya, Nauru, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

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

Interactive Brokers vs Swissquote: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Interactive Brokers or Swissquote?

Interactive Brokers holds more regulatory licences: Interactive Brokers (ASIC, CBI, CFTC, CIRO, CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINRA, JFSA, MAS, MNB, NFA, SEBI, SEC, SFC) versus Swissquote (CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMA). Tier-1 licences: Interactive Brokers 10, Swissquote 3.

Which trading platforms do Interactive Brokers and Swissquote offer?

Interactive Brokers offers Proprietary; Swissquote offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, Interactive Brokers 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, Interactive Brokers or Swissquote?

Interactive Brokers is the older of the two, founded in 1977; Swissquote was founded in 1996.

Are Interactive Brokers and Swissquote available in the same countries?

They overlap in 217 countries. Interactive Brokers is additionally available in 1 countries (United States of America) and Swissquote in 14 countries (Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Iraq, Libya and 8 more).

Keep comparing

Interactive Brokers

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.