Swissquote vs BDSwiss 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
Swissquote suits traders who value tighter spreads, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 250). BDSwiss suits traders who prioritise lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $1000).
Head to head
| Swissquote | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 562379 | CySEC 199/13 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $1000 | $100 |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.3 pips | 1.5 pips |
| Instruments | 3,000,000+ | 250+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | Yes | No — CFDs only |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo after 12mo | $10/mo after 3mo |
| Founded | 1996 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Gland, Switzerland | Zurich, Switzerland |
Regulation: Swissquote vs BDSwiss
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.
BDSwiss is regulated by CySEC under licence 199/13 (BDS Markets). The CySEC 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
Swissquote's EUR/USD spread is 1.3 pips. BDSwiss's EUR/USD spread is 1.5 pips. Swissquote offers tighter spreads on this pair.
Swissquote charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months without trading. BDSwiss charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 3 months.
Platforms and tools
Both Swissquote and BDSwiss support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
Swissquote requires a minimum deposit of $1000. BDSwiss requires $100. BDSwiss has the lower barrier to entry.
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?
BDSwiss also has the lower minimum deposit of $100. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Both Swissquote and BDSwiss support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. Swissquote's tighter spreads (1.3 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. Swissquote offers more instruments (3,000,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: Swissquote vs BDSwiss
Choose Swissquote if you want tighter spreads, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 250). The FCA licence (562379) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose BDSwiss if you want lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $1000). The CySEC licence (199/13) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Swissquote vs BDSwiss: which is better?
Swissquote is better for tighter spreads, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000,000 vs 250). BDSwiss is better for lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $1000). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is Swissquote or BDSwiss safer?
Both Swissquote (FCA 562379) and BDSwiss (CySEC 199/13) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for Swissquote and BDSwiss?
Swissquote minimum deposit: $1000. BDSwiss minimum deposit: $100. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do Swissquote and BDSwiss have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.