FXCM vs Swissquote: which broker is better in 2026?
We compare FXCM and Swissquote — two forex & CFD brokers — side by side across regulation, fees, platforms, minimum deposit, and our editorial scores. Based on our overall editorial score, Swissquote edges ahead (3.9/5), but the right choice depends on what matters most to you — check the breakdown below.
Side-by-side comparison
CriteriaFXCMSwissquote
Overall score 3.5 3.9
Regulation & safety 3.0 4.5
Fees & deposit 3.5 3.0
Platform & assets 4.0 4.0
User support 3.5 4.0
Trust score68/10081/100
Minimum depositVaries by account type — check the official siteVaries by account type — check the official site
Demo accountAvailableAvailable
PlatformsTrading Station (web/desktop/mobile), MetaTrader 4, TradingView (integrated), APIAdvanced Trader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Mobile app
Fee modelSpread model or spread + commission (Active Trader) — varies; exact figures not yet verifiedTends toward premium (higher fees than pure forex brokers) in exchange for bank status & security; exact figures not yet verified
Pros & cons
- An established broker since 1999 with the mature Trading Station & MT4 platforms
- Now backed by a large financial group (Jefferies/StoneX)
- International entities regulated by FCA/ASIC/FSCA
- Permanently banned from the US market (2017) + a US$7 million fine for hiding a conflict of interest — a serious regulatory record
- Trust was dented by that case; verify the entity serving your region
- Leveraged products are high-risk
- FINMA-licensed Swiss bank + public company (SIX: SQN) — top-tier institutional safety
- Multi-asset: forex/CFDs, stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto in one place
- Platform choice: Advanced Trader + MT4/MT5
- Fees tend toward premium (not the cheapest) — you 'pay' for bank-grade security
- Less suitable for cost-sensitive scalpers
- Leveraged products are high-risk
Regulation at a glance
FXCM
International entities regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), FSCA (South Africa), and others. IMPORTANT: FXCM has been permanently banned from the US market since 2017 (see the risk note).
Swissquote
Swissquote Bank Ltd is a licensed bank supervised by FINMA (Switzerland); other entities are supervised by the FCA (UK), DFSA (Dubai), MAS (Singapore), and others. Publicly listed on the SIX exchange (SQN) — high financial transparency.