Comparison of Interactive Brokers and Swissquote
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1977 | 1996 |
| Broker Type | DMA | STP |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS | FINMA, CSSF, FCA, DFSA, SFC, MAS |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), CFXD, TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬈ High |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:50 | 1:400 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1000 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD | USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF, CAD, AUD, TRY, PLN, SEK, NOK, SGD, XGD, HUF, CZK |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay | Bank transfer (SWIFT/SEPA), Visa, Mastercard |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | $10 per month after 6 months of inactivity |
| Interest on Margin | ✔ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 | $10 for standard bank withdrawals; card withdrawals 1.9 % (SEPA) / 0 % (non-SEPA) |
| Investor Protection | SIPC, FSCS, ICS | esisuisse / FGDL |
| Protection Size | $500 000 / £85 000 | CHF 100 000 / €100 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✔ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, CFDs | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities, Bonds |
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | Swissquote Review |
About Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a global multi-asset broker founded in 1977. Regulated on four continents, IBKR offers direct market access to 150+ exchanges in 33 countries, tight pricing on FX, and some of the lowest commissions in the industry. Clients trade via the powerful Trader Workstation, streamlined Client Portal, or mobile apps, choose from 20+ base currencies, and benefit from SIPC/FSCS investor protection and ESMA-mandated negative balance protection for CFDs.
Pros
- Tier-1 regulation in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Asia
- Access to 150+ markets across 33 countries and 26 currencies
- Ultra-low spreads and volume-based commissions
- Advanced Trader Workstation plus simple mobile & web platforms
- No minimum deposit for cash accounts and no inactivity fee
- Negative balance protection for EU retail CFD traders
Cons
- Minimum FX order size ~ 20 000 units limits small accounts
- Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve
- No credit/debit-card funding options
- Customer support is not 24/7
About Swissquote
Swissquote is Switzerland’s flagship online banking and brokerage group, supervised by FINMA and listed on SIX (SQN). Combining a Swiss bank account with a multi-asset trading hub, it offers 70+ FX pairs, 400+ CFDs on MT4/MT5, the proprietary CFXD platform and TradingView. Retail leverage is capped at 1:100 (EU 1:30), spreads start from 1.7 pips on Standard and 1.1 pips on Prime, while client funds enjoy segregated custody and deposit insurance up to CHF 100 000/€100 000. The broker best suits safety-minded traders who value Swiss banking regulation, high-volume FX/CFD professionals needing FIX/API connectivity, and diversified investors seeking direct access to global exchanges from a single account. Beginners with very small deposits may find the USD 1 000 entry threshold and inactivity fee less attractive than at zero-commission fintechs.
Pros
- Bank-licensed, publicly traded and multi-jurisdictionally regulated
- 70+ FX pairs and 400+ CFDs; real stocks on 30+ exchanges
- Choice of MT4/MT5, proprietary Advanced Trader & FIX API
- Retail negative-balance protection and segregated funds
- Comprehensive research, Autochartist, free market news
Cons
- High minimum deposit ($1 000) and tiered account pricing
- Spreads above industry average on Standard account
- Inactivity fee after 6 months
- No support for Skrill/Neteller/PayPal funding
Interactive Brokers & Swissquote Regulation
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd | Swissquote Bank Ltd; Swissquote Bank Europe Ltd; Swissquote Ltd (UK); Swissquote MEA Ltd; Swissquote Asia Ltd; Swissquote Financial Services (Malta) Ltd; Swissquote Pte. Ltd; Swissquote Tech Hub Bucharest S.R.L; Swissquote Capital Markets Ltd; Swissquote South Africa (Pty) Ltd |
Countries | United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia | Switzerland, Luxembourg, UK, Dubai, Hong Kong, Malta, Singapore, Romania, Cyprus, South Africa |
Regulators | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS | FINMA, CSSF, FCA, DFSA, SFC, MAS |
Investor Protection | SIPC, FSCS, ICS | esisuisse / FGDL |
Investor Protection Size | $500 000 / £85 000 | CHF 100 000 / €100 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Companies
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd
Swissquote
Swissquote Bank Ltd; Swissquote Bank Europe Ltd; Swissquote Ltd (UK); Swissquote MEA Ltd; Swissquote Asia Ltd; Swissquote Financial Services (Malta) Ltd; Swissquote Pte. Ltd; Swissquote Tech Hub Bucharest S.R.L; Swissquote Capital Markets Ltd; Swissquote South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Countries
Interactive Brokers
United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia
Swissquote
Switzerland, Luxembourg, UK, Dubai, Hong Kong, Malta, Singapore, Romania, Cyprus, South Africa
Regulators
Interactive Brokers
SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
Swissquote
FINMA, CSSF, FCA, DFSA, SFC, MAS
Investor Protection
Interactive Brokers
SIPC, FSCS, ICS
Swissquote
esisuisse / FGDL
Investor Protection Size
Interactive Brokers
$500 000 / £85 000
Swissquote
CHF 100 000 / €100 000
Publicly Traded
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Segregated Accounts
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Negative Balance Protection
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Account Types
| Account | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard |
| Min Deposit | — | $1 000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.7 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:100 |
| Stop Out | — | 30% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Premium |
| Min Deposit | — | $10 000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.1 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.4 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:100 |
| Stop Out | — | 30% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | IBKR Pro | — |
| Min Deposit | $0 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.1 | — |
| Fee | $4 per 1 lot | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:50 | — |
| Stop Out | 50% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Market Maker Account
Account Name
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
Standard
Min Deposit
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
$1 000
Lot Size
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
0.01
Spread Type
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
Floating
Execution
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
Market
Min Spread
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
1.7
Fee
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
No
Max Leverage
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
1:100
Stop Out
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
30%
Margin Call
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
100%
STP Account
Account Name
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
Premium
Min Deposit
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
$10 000
Lot Size
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
0.1
Spread Type
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
Floating
Execution
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
Market
Min Spread
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
1.4
Fee
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
No
Max Leverage
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
1:100
Stop Out
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
30%
Margin Call
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
100%
DMA Account
Account Name
Interactive Brokers
IBKR Pro
Swissquote
—
Min Deposit
Interactive Brokers
$0
Swissquote
—
Lot Size
Interactive Brokers
0.01
Swissquote
—
Spread Type
Interactive Brokers
Floating
Swissquote
—
Execution
Interactive Brokers
Market
Swissquote
—
Min Spread
Interactive Brokers
0.1
Swissquote
—
Fee
Interactive Brokers
$4 per 1 lot
Swissquote
—
Max Leverage
Interactive Brokers
1:50
Swissquote
—
Stop Out
Interactive Brokers
50%
Swissquote
—
Margin Call
Interactive Brokers
100%
Swissquote
—
Additional Features
Demo Account
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
VIP Account
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Swap-Free Account
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Copy Trading
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
VPS
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
PAMM/MAM Accounts
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Funding and Fees
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD | USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF, CAD, AUD, TRY, PLN, SEK, NOK, SGD, XGD, HUF, CZK |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay | Bank transfer (SWIFT/SEPA), Visa, Mastercard |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 6 months of inactivity | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 | $10 for standard bank withdrawals; card withdrawals 1.9 % (SEPA) / 0 % (non-SEPA) |
Base currencies
Interactive Brokers
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD
Swissquote
USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF, CAD, AUD, TRY, PLN, SEK, NOK, SGD, XGD, HUF, CZK
Deposit and withdrawal methods
Interactive Brokers
Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay
Swissquote
Bank transfer (SWIFT/SEPA), Visa, Mastercard
Inactivity fee
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
$10 per month after 6 months of inactivity
Interest on margin
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Withdrawal fee
Interactive Brokers
First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10
Swissquote
$10 for standard bank withdrawals; card withdrawals 1.9 % (SEPA) / 0 % (non-SEPA)
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), CFXD, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 4 ms | 9 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | high |
Trading Platforms
Interactive Brokers
Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader
Swissquote
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), CFXD, TradingView
Execution Speed
Interactive Brokers
4 ms
Swissquote
9 ms
Scalping
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Expert Advisors (EAs)
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Depth of Market (DOM)
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Spread
Interactive Brokers
low
Swissquote
high
Trading Assets
| Asset | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 87 | 76 |
Indices | 23 | 26 |
Stocks | 8139 | 305 |
Cryptocurrencies | 11 | 2 |
Bonds | 87 | 3 |
Metals | 4 | 16 |
Energies | 10 | 9 |
Soft Commodities | 15 | 5 |
ETFs | 532 | 0 |
Currencies
Interactive Brokers
87
Swissquote
76
Indices
Interactive Brokers
23
Swissquote
26
Stocks
Interactive Brokers
8139
Swissquote
305
Cryptocurrencies
Interactive Brokers
11
Swissquote
2
Bonds
Interactive Brokers
87
Swissquote
3
Metals
Interactive Brokers
4
Swissquote
16
Energies
Interactive Brokers
10
Swissquote
9
Soft Commodities
Interactive Brokers
15
Swissquote
5
ETFs
Interactive Brokers
532
Swissquote
0
Education and Analytics
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Economic Calendar
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Indicators
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Robots
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Signals
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Autochartist
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Expert Analytics
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
News Feed
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Education Articles
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Webinars
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Seminars
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Customer Support
| Contact | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
Email | help@interactivebrokers.com | fx@swissquote.com |
Phone | +18774422757 | +41448258777 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter | ||
TikTok | — | TikTok |
Email
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
Phone
Interactive Brokers
Swissquote
TikTok
Interactive Brokers
—
Swissquote
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing Interactive Brokers and Swissquote, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.