Plus500 vs Swissquote 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
Plus500 suits traders who value tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $1000). Swissquote suits traders who prioritise MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 2,000).
Head to head
| Plus500 | Swissquote | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 509909 | FCA 562379 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1000 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | 1.3 pips |
| Instruments | 2,000+ | 3,000,000+ |
| MetaTrader | No | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo after 3mo | $10/mo after 12mo |
| Founded | 2008 | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Haifa, Israel | Gland, Switzerland |
Regulation: Plus500 vs Swissquote
Plus500 is regulated by FCA under licence 509909 (Plus500UK 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
Plus500's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. Swissquote's EUR/USD spread is 1.3 pips. Plus500 offers tighter spreads on this pair.
Plus500 charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 3 months without trading. Swissquote charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months.
Platforms and tools
Swissquote supports MetaTrader. Plus500 uses a proprietary platform only — traders who need MT4/MT5 for automated strategies should choose Swissquote.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
Plus500 requires a minimum deposit of $100. Swissquote requires $1000. Plus500 has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider Plus500.
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?
Plus500 also has the lower minimum deposit of $100, 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. Plus500's tighter spreads (0.6 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. Swissquote offers more instruments (3,000,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: Plus500 vs Swissquote
Choose Plus500 if you want tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $1000). The FCA licence (509909) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose Swissquote if you want MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 2,000). 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
Plus500 vs Swissquote: which is better?
Plus500 is better for tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $1000). Swissquote is better for MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 2,000). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is Plus500 or Swissquote safer?
Both Plus500 (FCA 509909) and Swissquote (FCA 562379) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for Plus500 and Swissquote?
Plus500 minimum deposit: $100. Swissquote minimum deposit: $1000. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do Plus500 and Swissquote have MetaTrader?
Swissquote supports MT4 and MT5. Plus500 does not offer MetaTrader.