Swissquote Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
Swissquote is a regulated CFD broker founded in 1996. It holds a FINMA licence under number N/A.
The basics
Swissquote was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland. It is publicly listed under the ticker SWX:SQN. The broker offers CFDs on 3,000,000 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. Real stock ownership is available in addition to CFDs.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Gland, Switzerland |
| Instruments | 3,000,000+ |
| Platforms | Advanced Trader, MT4, MT5 |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | Yes |
Is Swissquote safe?
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. It requires broker registration and basic conduct rules, but does not offer the same client protections as the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC. There is no compensation scheme and leverage limits are not imposed.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FINMA | N/A ✓ | Swissquote Bank Ltd |
| FCA | 562379 ✓ | Swissquote UK Ltd |
| DFSA | F004885 ✓ | Swissquote MEA Ltd |
| MAS | 200916272W ✓ | Swissquote Pte Ltd |
You can verify the FINMA licence at brokerforexreviews.com. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
Swissquote spreads
These are the typical spreads on Swissquote's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 1.3 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.6 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 1.4 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 28c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
Swissquote's EUR/USD spread of 1.3 pips pips is wider than ECN-first brokers but typical for a commission-free account.
Swissquote withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. Swissquote does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
Swissquote minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which Swissquote entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swissquote Bank Ltd | FINMA N/A | $1000 | 1:200 |
| Swissquote UK Ltd | FCA 562379 | $1000 | 1:30 |
| Swissquote MEA Ltd | DFSA F004885 | $1000 | 1:200 |
| Swissquote Pte Ltd | MAS 200916272W | $1000 | 1:20 |
Swissquote vs XM
| Swissquote | XM | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FINMA N/A | CySEC 120/10 |
| Min deposit | $1000 | $5 |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.3 pips pips | 1.6 (std) / 0.1 (ultra-low) pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Instruments | 3,000,000+ | 1,400+ |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | None | None |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. Swissquote suits traders who value MetaTrader and algorithmic trading. XM is better for traders who prioritise tighter spreads.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FINMA | N/A — Swissquote Bank Ltd |
| FCA | 562379 — Swissquote UK Ltd |
| DFSA | F004885 — Swissquote MEA Ltd |
| MAS | 200916272W — Swissquote Pte Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:200 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FCA regulated — Swissquote UK Ltd
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- Real stock ownership available
- Regulated in 4 jurisdictions
- 3,000,000+ instruments
What does not work
- No copy trading
- Inactivity fee: $10/month after 12 months
- Higher minimum deposit of $1000
- High leverage only via offshore entity
The verdict
Swissquote is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FINMA licence number N/A is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want MetaTrader on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Swissquote
If Swissquote does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is Swissquote safe?
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. Swissquote holds FINMA licence N/A, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the Swissquote minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $1000. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the Swissquote EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on Swissquote standard accounts is typically 1.3 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does Swissquote take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does Swissquote charge withdrawal fees?
None. Swissquote does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Swissquote have MetaTrader?
Yes. Swissquote supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.