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

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

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

XM

Trust rank #26 · Founded 2009

XM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker providing online access to multiple markets on widely used platforms, along with research tools, education, and multilingual support.

Read the XM review

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. XM (Cyprus, founded 2009) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 229 countries; Swissquote is available in 2 countries where XM is not, and XM in 0 where Swissquote is not.

Verdict at a glance

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

Swissquote vs XM: side-by-side data

CriteriaSwissquoteXM
Editorial rating10 / 10Not verified
Trust rank#5#26
Founded19962009
HeadquartersSwitzerlandCyprus
RegulatorsCSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINMAASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC
Broker typeSTPMarket Maker, STP
PlatformsMT4, MT5, ProprietaryMT4, MT5
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted231 countries229 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

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

XM

  • CySEC and ASIC regulation
  • Low $5 minimum deposit
  • MT4/MT5 platform support (desktop/web/mobile)
  • Negative balance protection
  • Low-spread account options (commission-free and commission-based)

Cons

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

XM

  • Offshore regulation via IFSC Belize
  • CFDs only (no real stocks/ETFs ownership)
  • MT4/MT5 only; no proprietary platform
  • Inactivity fee applies
  • No ECN/DMA accounts

Key features

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

XM

  • Multi asset CFD trading Forex Indices Commodities Equities Metals Energies
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with algorithmic trading and VPS support
  • Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
  • Multi jurisdiction regulation CySEC ASIC DFSA IFSC
  • Multiple account types Micro Standard Ultra Low with tight spreads
  • Market execution low latency and high fill rates with no requotes

Country availability: Swissquote vs XM

Available at both (229): Afghanistan, 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, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China and 189 more.

Only Swissquote (2): Canada, Israel.

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

Swissquote vs XM: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Swissquote or XM?

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

Which trading platforms do Swissquote and XM offer?

Swissquote offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary; XM offers MT4, MT5.

Which has lower fees, Swissquote or XM?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, Swissquote or XM?

Swissquote is the older of the two, founded in 1996; XM was founded in 2009.

Are Swissquote and XM available in the same countries?

They overlap in 229 countries. Swissquote is additionally available in 2 countries (Canada, Israel) and XM in 0 countries ().

Keep comparing

Swissquote

XM

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.