IC Markets vs Swissquote: which broker is better in 2026?
We compare IC Markets 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, IC Markets edges ahead (4.1/5), but the right choice depends on what matters most to you — check the breakdown below.
Side-by-side comparison
Pros & cons
- One of the most popular raw-spread ECN brokers for scalping/algo trading (very low costs)
- Very complete platform selection (MT4/MT5/cTrader/TradingView)
- Regulated by ASIC (Australia) + CySEC for certain entities
- A class-action record (reported since 2024) alleging it misled investors — no verdict yet, but a relevant public fact
- Many clients via offshore entities (Seychelles/Bahamas)
- Leverage is 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
Exact license numbers not yet verified — the official site mentions multi-regulation but the detailed regulation page was inaccessible during our check. Verify directly with the regulator (ASIC, CySEC, or the Seychelles FSA depending on the entity) before signing up.
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.