eToro vs Swissquote 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
eToro suits traders who value tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($50 vs $1000), copy trading. Swissquote suits traders who prioritise MetaTrader support, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 3,000).
Head to head
| eToro | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 583263 | FCA 562379 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $50 | $1000 |
| EUR/USD spread | 1 pips | 1.3 pips |
| Instruments | 3,000+ | 3,000,000+ |
| MetaTrader | No | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | Yes | No |
| Real stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo after 12mo | $10/mo after 12mo |
| Founded | 2007 | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv, Israel | Gland, Switzerland |
Regulation: eToro vs Swissquote
eToro is regulated by FCA under licence 583263 (eToro (UK) Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Swissquote is regulated by FCA under licence 562379 (Swissquote UK Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Spreads and fees
eToro's EUR/USD spread is 1 pips. Swissquote's EUR/USD spread is 1.3 pips. eToro offers tighter spreads on this pair.
eToro charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months without trading. Swissquote charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months.
Platforms and tools
Swissquote supports MetaTrader. eToro uses a proprietary platform only — traders who need MT4/MT5 for automated strategies should choose Swissquote.
eToro offers copy trading, Swissquote does not.
Minimum deposit
eToro requires a minimum deposit of $50. Swissquote requires $1000. eToro has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider eToro.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
eToro is generally better for beginners because it offers copy trading, allowing new traders to replicate experienced traders automatically while learning. eToro also has the lower minimum deposit of $50, making it easier to start with a small amount. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Swissquote is better for experienced traders who need MetaTrader. eToro's tighter spreads (1 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. Swissquote offers more instruments (3,000,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: eToro vs Swissquote
Choose eToro if you want tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($50 vs $1000), copy trading. The FCA licence (583263) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose Swissquote if you want MetaTrader support, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 3,000). The FCA licence (562379) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
eToro vs Swissquote: which is better?
eToro is better for tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($50 vs $1000), copy trading. Swissquote is better for MetaTrader support, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 3,000). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is eToro or Swissquote safer?
Both eToro (FCA 583263) and Swissquote (FCA 562379) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for eToro and Swissquote?
eToro minimum deposit: $50. Swissquote minimum deposit: $1000. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do eToro and Swissquote have MetaTrader?
Swissquote supports MT4 and MT5. eToro does not offer MetaTrader.