Summary

Headquartered in Switzerland, Swissquote is a public limited company listed on the SIX Swiss Stock Exchange. It is a multi-regulated investment firm compliant with all applicable regulations and directives. In addition to traditional banking services, the company has expanded its operations to include stocks and CFDs trading across various financial markets. Having access to 60+ exchanges worldwide, the firm offers an extensive product portfolio across various asset classes. Clients can trade 3M+ tradable assets, including bonds, futures, real shares, stock CFDs, currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, etc. 

This Swissquote review will delve into the broker’s signing-up process, payment options, available leverage, and trading apps. We will also explore the company’s 24×7 multilingual customer support; its safety measures, including negative balance protection;  account types, including professional and demo accounts; fees and commissions; and trading platforms, including third-party and in-house platforms. In the end, a dedicated FAQ section is provided to answer some queries of the readers. 

Available Assets

Swissquote holds an extensive product portfolio. Clients can trade 3M+ financial instruments across various financial markets. Let’s quickly review each asset class to find out more information. 

Stocks

Stocks are the backbone of many investors’ portfolios since they have historically outperformed other investing options. Clients can either go for long-term investments or more immediate purposes. With Swissquote, you can buy actual shares from 60+ exchanges worldwide or trade 300+ stock CFDs. 

Indices

When trading indices, investors can gain exposure to a broad economic or industry sector with a single transaction rather than opening numerous trades with different companies. With Swissquote indices, you can gain exposure to the world’s top stock markets, such as UK100, US500, US100, etc. 

Forex

Currency trading in the foreign exchange market (also known as forex trading) is a means of potentially sizable financial gain through purchasing and selling various foreign currencies. However, even the most seasoned traders find currency fluctuations challenging to forecast. Swissquote equips its clients with all the tools to trade 80+ currency pairs, such as EUR/USD, GBP/JPY, USD/CHF, etc., with full confidence.   

Commodities

Oil and gas, metals like gold and silver, and “soft commodities” like cocoa, coffee, wheat, and sugar are just some of the many products that can be bought and sold in the expansive world of commodity trading. Trading in commodities has been around for at least as long as the stock market. Trading 20+ commodities like USOIL, UKOIL, N.G., etc., might help you diversify your holdings at Swissquote. 

Cryptocurrencies

Those who don’t fear significant market fluctuations would undoubtedly like cryptos to be at the top of their portfolio list. This emerging asset class offers the security of diversity and the excitement of greater volatility. Swissquote supports 30+ cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, etc., allowing you to take full advantage of all digital currencies. Moreover, the company also features a wallet service that will enable you to store your crypto assets safely and securely. 

ETFs

ETFs or exchange-traded funds are bought and sold on a stock exchange. ETFs portfolio typically comprises various underlying assets that attempt to replicate the performance of a market index, such as the Swiss Market Index. You can exchange them in the same manner as common stocks. 9,000+ ETFs are available from reputable investment banks and financial organisations at Swissquote. 

Options & Futures

Forward contracts, such as options and futures, involve committing to purchase an underlying asset by a specific date and at a predetermined price. Typically, forward contracts help concerned parties to hedge their risk exposure. While both may appear the same, there is little difference between the two. Options contracts don’t come with an obligation, while future contracts necessitate you to execute your deal. The company supports 45+ tradable assets under the futures and Options category, while the maturity date for your desired financial instruments can vary between 1 and 365 days. 

Bonds

Investing in bond markets is one approach to capitalising on government securities price changes. Many investors consider them fundamental to a balanced trading portfolio, along with stocks and cash. Debt can be issued in the primary bond market, while debt instruments can be bought and sold in the secondary bond market. Typically bonds include gilts and other related financial products such as loan notes. You can trade 50,000+ bonds (USBDN, BUND, LGILT) on Swissquote. 

Stock Trading at Swissquote

Stock trading refers to the buying and selling of stock in a corporation. Trading stocks is a high-stakes venture, but one can increase their chances of success with proper preparation. There are two primary types of stock trading: day trading, which is buying and selling shares multiple times per day, and long-term investing. 

Investing your money for years is considered a long-term investment. Though investing in the stock market over the long term can bring fruitful results. However, it works if you can hold on for the ride. On the other hand, stock day trading involves making multiple purchases and sales of the same security over a single trading session. Short-term investors, known as “day traders”, monitor stock prices throughout the day and place wagers on whether or not they will continue to fluctuate in the next few minutes to several hours. At Swissquote, you can either buy actual shares listed on the world’s top exchanges or go for CFD trading using a leverage of up to 1:20.

Let’s quickly review some famous strategies investors typically follow to trade stocks on Swissquote.

Buy & Hold: Buying and holding is the most common trading strategy in any market, including stocks. Investors buy stocks at cheap rates and keep them until their value soars. Doing so helps them earn revenue in two ways, one through price appreciation of their holdings and the other is dividend payments. 

Buying Undervalued Stocks: Investors sometimes also select undervalued stocks as one of their trading strategies. They buy stocks of well-established or potentially successful enterprises at bargain prices. Undervalued stock prices eventually rise to reflect their true or intrinsic value over time.

Momentum Trading: Some clients also prefer going with the flow. They typically invest in stocks showing upward momentum. However, this strategy carries more risk than the other two above. 

Available Stock Exchanges At Swissquote

Thanks to its integration with numerous stock market venues, Swissquote is among the best platforms for trading real stocks and share CFDs. Swissquote allows stock trading on the most liquid exchanges in the world, such as the NASDAQ, NYSE, FTSE, etc. Here are the stock exchanges the company supports in different regions. 

Stock Trading Fees & Commission at Swissquote

Swissquote stock trading fees and commissions are relatively higher than average industry standards. The company charges between $5 and $290 depending on the transactional value and relevant exchange. The broker also charges an additional cost of $0.85 amid data charges. 

Stock Trading Leverage At Swissquote

“Leverage” refers to opening positions using borrowed money. Brokers help their customers enhance their profit potential within their available resources. On the other hand, leverage is a double-edged weapon that increases your risk of loss and maximises your market exposure. When trading stock CFDs, Swissquote offers you a leverage of up to 1:20.

Regulations

Swiss Group Holdings’ primary trading brand is referred to as Swissquote. The broker holds regulations from six tier 1 & 2 regulatory authorities in various jurisdictions across the globe. Here, we will review the broker’s official addresses and regulatory status in each jurisdiction.

SwissQuote Bank Ltd: It’s an institution that satisfies the requirements set forth by the Swiss Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) – the concerned regulatory body in Switzerland. The company’s administrative headquarters are located at Ch. de la Cretaux 33, Postfach 319, 1196 Gland, Switzerland. However, the Lowenstrasse 62, Postfach 2017, 8021 Zürich, Switzerland, is the location of the company’s office based in Zurich.

SwissQuote Ltd: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates SwissQuote Ltd and authorises it to maintain transparency and the best ethical standards. The entity is located at Boston House, 63-64 New Broad Street, London, United Kingdom EC2M 1J. 

SwissQuote Bank Europe: The entity is regulated and licenced by the European Central Bank and is located at branch 02 rue Edward Steichen, L-2958, Luxembourg.

SwissQuote Pte Ltd: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued the company a Capital Markets Services Licence. Their official address is Office 34-01A, One Raffles Quay, North Tower, Singapore 048583.

The SwissQuote Asia Ltd: This entity holds regulations from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) – Hong Kong. Its official address is Suites 3202-04, 32/F ICBC Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong.

SwissQuote MEA Ltd: The Dubai Financial Services Authority has issued this organisation a category 3A licence (DFSA). The broker is located at Level 9 of Al Fattan Currency, Office no. 903, Tower 2, DIFC P.O. Box 121364 Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

SwissQuote Financial Services (Malta) Ltd: The entity is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). It is located at Palazzo Spinola, 46 St. Christopher’s Street, Valletta, VLT 1464, Malta. 

SwissQuote Tech Hub Bucharest S.R.L: The firm in question is a digital firm that supplies software services to SwissQuote. You can reach them at (022) 7 Dimitrie Pompeiu Boulevard, Office 232, Hermes Business Building, Campus 1, 2nd Floor, Bucharest, Sector 2, Romania.

Swissquote Capital Markets Ltd: This entity of the company is based in Limassol, Cyprus. It is licensed and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Its official address is  Spyrou Kyprianou 42, Emerald House, Floor 1, 3076, Limassol, Cyprus.

Fees and Commissions

As mentioned above, Swissquote pricing structure is costlier compared to other brokerage firms in the industry. In this section, we’ll review the broker’s trading and non-trading fees. Trading fees refer to the cost you pay when you make a trade, such as spread and commissions. On the other hand, non-trading fees are any fees the broker charges that have nothing to do with trading. Non-trading fees include, for example, inactivity fees and withdrawal fees. Below we break down Swissquote fees into trading and non-trading fees to help you understand it better. 

Trading Fees

SwissQuote doesn’t sacrifice quality on the quality of its services, so its trading fees are higher than those of other brokers. It lets you choose a fixed-rate plan to buy a set of things for one flat price. The default pricing system relies on the amount purchased. Price and trade volume goes in the opposite direction. As more people buy and sell, the price goes down.

Spreads

A spread is a difference between a stock’s buy and sell prices. The Swissquowte spread on EUR/USD is 1.7 pips for a standard account, 1.4 pips for a premium account, and 1.1 pips for a prime account. The spread rates depend on the market conditions.

Commissions

SwissQuote doesn’t charge any commission fees for Forex and CFDs. Though it does charge a commission on stock trading. For instance, clients pay a commission between 0.01 USD and 0.03 USD per share. The company also charges 0.09% – 0.15% of the transactional value. 

Rollover Fees and Exchange Rates

There is a swap/rollover fee at SwissQuote. If a trader holds a CFD position overnight, they will be credited or charged for keeping it open. Lastly, there will be a charge for borrowing money if a short CFD position is for overnight.

Non-Trading Fees

Non-trading fees are the costs a trader pays to use a broker’s financial services, no matter how many or what kind of trades they make. Let’s look at them more closely in this part of the review.

Withdrawal Fees

SwissQuote doesn’t charge a fee to make a deposit, but it does charge a fee to take money out. Depending on the currency, the price is either CHF 2, € 2, or $10.

Inactivity Fee

SwissQuote charges an inactivity fee if a user hasn’t traded in at least six months and has yet to have any open options. Retail clients are the only ones who pay an inactivity fee, not money managers, brokers, or corporate or institutional clients. The inactivity fee that SwissQuote charges is a maximum of 10 units of the base currency (CHF, USD, EUR, or GBP) per month.

Account Types

There are three types of accounts on Swissquote. The type of account depends on the products you can trade, the minimum deposit you need to make, and the markets you can choose. Below we review Swissquote accounts one by one. 

Demo Account

Users can use a demo account to test their trading strategies and try out the trading platforms and its features without risking real money. Advanced Trader, Metatrader 4, and MetaTrader 5 can all use the demo account to learn about these platforms’ great features. On the demo account, there are more than 4,000 financial instruments and up to $100,000 in virtual funds.

Retail Trading Account

Clients need to open an account with the broker to trade stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, futures, options, foreign exchange, and CFDs. To open an account, you must put down at least $1,000 to $50,000. The broker offers three types of accounts. Let’s quickly review each of the account types available for retail traders.

Standard

The minimum deposit for a standard account is $1,000. Spreads start at 1.7 pip. The broker doesn’t charge any commission from standard account holders except for stock trading which is $0.03 per share for trading US Stocks and 0.15% on trading shares in UK, Europe and Switzerland. 

Premium

The premium account is offered to more advanced traders. The minimum deposit for a premium account is $10,000 and its spreads start from 1.4 pip. A commission of $0.02 per share for trading US Stocks and 0.12% on trading shares in UK, Europe and Switzerland is payable in the premium account.

Prime

Aimed at high-volume traders, the minimum deposit for a prime account is $50,000. Spreads start at 1.1 pip, while the broker lets you trade as little as one lot to 100,000 CCY. Prime account holders pay a commission of $0.01 per US share while 0.09% is applicable  on trading shares in Switzerland, Europe, and the UK. 

Professional Account

The professional account lets you use as much as 1:400 leverage. This account has a stop-out level as low as 30%. Spreads start at 0 pips on major currency pairs, while the commission is $0.85 added to each transaction when trading stocks, and there are no hidden fees.

Trading Platforms

With Swissquote’s proprietary trading apps and industry-standard MT4/MT5 platforms, customers can either trade on their desktop or mobile devices. The company has the whole family of MetaTrader platforms if a client wants more diversity. Let’s briefly review the features of Swissquote platforms or trading platforms.

Desktop Trading Platform

Swissquote desktop trading becomes exciting with Advanced Trader. Because it can automatically recognise patterns, the platform has more than 20 indicators and more than 15 overlays and can handle many different types of orders. However, it still lacks some advanced functions that need a makeover so that it can compete with the platforms of other top brokers in the industry. The main features of the desktop version are a powerful charting tool, and a wide range of order types. Let’s take a look at each of the features of the desktop trading platform:

Watchlist

You can keep an eye on securities with an integrated watchlist. Traders can change the trading symbols, add new ones, and manage them. Setting up the watchlist is pretty easy on the desktop version. 

Widgets

The SwissQuote desktop trading platform lets you use widgets. It helps traders make their personal space look the way they want. The broker features them on the home screen, so traders can quickly access them. 

Search Tab

You can search for securities by name, symbol, or ISIN on the quick search tab. This feature makes it easy for traders to choose their favourite tradable instruments. Clients don’t have to look through a long list of securities to find the one they want. Instead, they can quickly pick the one they want. 

Finance News

You can find the most recent financial news using the desktop trading platform. This feature keeps traders updated on what’s happening in the financial market. 

How to Open a Trading Account on Swissquote Desktop Trading Platform

1. Visit the broker’s official website at https://en.swissquote.com
2. Click the “Start Trading” button available at the center of the homepage.
3. Select your preferred account type.
4. Provide the necessary information as required. After submitting the form with your personal information, you will receive the username and password.
5. Verify your account by submitting the supporting documents, such as your ID Card/ Passport/ Bank Statement.
6. After verifying your account, you may proceed to fund your account with a bank transfer or credit/debit card. 
7. You need to select your desired payment method from the options available.
8. Authorise your payment information to complete funds transfers. 
9. Access the dashboard and start trading your favourite stocks.

Mobile Trading App

SwissQuote mobile trading app allows clients to access the markets without compromising the need for mobility. The mobile trading app comes with numerous features that we’ll discuss in a moment below. Both Android and iPhone users can download the respective version from the Google Play Store and App Store, respectively. Please note that your phone’s language setting determines the language of the app. Here are some features of the Swissquote apps or trading apps. 

Design

The mobile trading app has a sleek design, which makes it user-friendly for both newbies and veteran traders. 

News Updates

The trading app features the latest news for all the traded assets and enables traders to stay abreast of the market and receive recent information and market insights. 

Charting and Analysis Tool

The SwissQuote mobile trading app has powerful charting and analysis tools. This feature lets traders compare assets and securities bought and sold at different times. The best part is that users can use charting tools even if they don’t have a trading account with the broker. 

One Click Orders

Trading your favourite tradable instruments can’t be easier than using the single-click feature. The mobile trading app allows you to open your positions and close or edit them with a single click. 

How to Open a Trading Account on SwissQuote Mobile Trading App

1. Download the mobile trading app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.
2. Open the app on your phone and select the trading platform you want to use; remember that your choices include SwissQuote Bank SA and SwissQuote Bank Europe SA.
3. Click “open an account” to access the signup page.
4. Provide the information as asked, such as your name, email ID, phone number, etc.
5. Verify your identity. Please note that the account opening phase enters the processing stage when your identification has been confirmed and supporting documentation has been uploaded.
6. The next step is to put money into your account to start trading. Credit/debit cards and bank transfers are two payment options available. To add money to your account, choose your preferred payment option and enter the desired amount.
7. Authorise your transaction details to finish the funds’ transfers. 
8. Access the mobile trading app’s dashboard, select your preferred stock and start trading. 

Payment Methods

Swissquote offers flexible payment options for clients’ convenience. In this section, we’ll review the options for deposits and withdrawals at Swissquote.  

Deposit

Here is a look at how SwissQuote lets you transfer money into and out of your account and all the information you can find about them.

Credit Card & Debit Card: There are no transaction fees when you fund your account with a credit card or debit card. SwissQuote supports credit cards and debit cards from both Mastercard and Visa.

Wire Transfers: You must have an active SwissQuote account to use wire transfers. Clients can safely move money in and out of their bank accounts using wire transfers but the transaction takes more time compared to other payment options. SwissQuote doesn’t charge a fee to make a deposit using wire transfers, but the bank that holds your money may charge the transaction cost. Rates also vary from bank to bank. SwissQuote supports payment in GBP, EUR, CHF, AUD, JPY, PLN, CZK, HUF, and USD.

Withdrawal

While the payment options are limited with Swissquote, Bank transfers is one of the most frequent methods clients use to withdraw their funds. The process usually takes one business day, but it can take a little longer depending on your and the selected entity’s jurisdiction. Unlike other brokers, SwissQuote also charges a minimum fee of 2 CHF when you want to cash out. However, the amount may vary depending on your selected payment method.

Withdrawing funds from Swissquote is a straightforward process. First, log in to your account and navigate to the “Withdraw Funds” section. Next, select the account from which you wish to withdraw funds and enter the desired amount. Then, choose your preferred withdrawal method and enter the necessary details, such as your bank account information or e-wallet address. Finally, review the transaction details and confirm the withdrawal

Research and Education

Swissquote’s research and teaching materials are of far better calibre than is typical for the sector. The Morning News written article series and articles on themes trading are both part of the newsroom section. There is a bimonthly magazine with about 80 pages of technology-rich content. The Swissquote quantitative research group is also in charge of assisting to shape a few of the business’s products, such as the crypto ETF certificates. Additionally, traders get access to Trading Central content, which includes professional analysis and comments on chart patterns.

While the fact that it has dozens of YouTube tutorials and webinars is commendable, the broker also features nearly ten eBooks to download. However, if the company still wants to enhance its educational facility, quizzes accompanying progress modules, and a filter for experience level would do well to make it rank high in the industry.

Customer Support

Swissquote pays critical importance to customer service. The company offers more than just a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section. For instance, the multilingual customer support team stays on their toes to assist clients around the clock via live chat, email or telephone. Customers can also contact the business over social media channels, such as Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. The following information may help you in getting connected with the company. 

Telephone: +41 44 825 88 88

      +41 22 999 94 76

Email: fx@swissquote.com

Reviews

Checking the clientele feedback of a broker on platforms like Reddit, Quora, Trustpilot, etc., is crucial because it can provide valuable insights into the experiences of other traders with the broker. This feedback can help you make a more informed decision and avoid potential scams or unsatisfactory experiences. Below we’ll go through each of the platforms we listed above to get a sense of what people think of signing up with Swissquote.

What Reddit Users Say About Swissquote

Although Swissquote is a big name when you look for a stock broker, Reddit users don’t seem much happier with its brokerage services. According to the majority, the company has a costlier pricing structure than other competitors. For example, people preferred signing up with Degiro instead. Though a few clients also favoured Swissquote over the US-based stock brokers. A Redditor even said that he no longer trusts US regulatory setup, at least not after the SBF incident. In short, the Reddit community might prefer looking for another broker with a low-range costing structure. 

What Quora Users Say About Swissquote

Quora members seem divided concerning signing up with Swissquote. While some clients praise the company for its robust regulatory setup, a diverse range of tradable financial instruments, and quick customer support, others denounce the broker for having an expensive pricing structure. While replying to a query about the best broker to trade stocks, someone quoted a list of five, and Swissquote ranked in the fourth position. 

TrustPilot Users’ Review About Swissquote

Customers’ sentiment toward Swissquote registration is divided on Trustpilot. While the company’s third-party integration tools and the platform’s usability are appreciated by customers, some traders have complained about the time it takes to register an account and process withdrawals. The broker holds a 3 out of 5 stars rating after 400+ reviews have been posted on Trustpilot. 

ForexPeaceArmy Users’ Review About Swissquote

SwissQuote has both favourable and negative reviews on ForexPeaceArmy. The broker has an average rating of 2.5 on ForexPeaceArmy. We encountered multiple threads where users expressed dissatisfaction with the broker’s customer services. For instance, a member claimed that the company pushed him to make a deposit or get his account closed. We also found a satisfied customer as well. Though he believed spreads could be wider than usual when you use the broker but appreciated the trading tools that help clients coop up with the market’s volatility. He added that the rules and safety procedures are excellent and people should strictly adhere to them.

Other Products and Services

While we’ve covered all the basic information about Swissquote above, let’s review some other products and services the company offers. 

Payment Cards

SwissQuote provides customers with access to a prepaid card that may be used in multiple currencies. Only trading accounts qualify for payment cards. Prepaid silver card for foreign exchange, trade, and savings accounts. 3-D Security protects all card-based purchases made in an online store.

Theme Trading

When you invest in Themes Trading, a collection of dynamic-themed portfolios curated by Swissquote specialists, you don’t buy a single stock but rather a group of equities that share a common theme. By focusing on the future, investors who choose this thematic investment can better manage their investment portfolio for increased growth and greater profits.

Is Swissquote Safe?

Swissquote safety is sourced from its robust regulatory framework. Moreover, it is a publicly listed company. Top financial regulators, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS), and the Securities Futures Commission (SFC) are among the other agencies with oversight of the company. The broker keeps clients’ investments segregated from its own capital. Furthermore, the company holds registration with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Clients have the right to reimbursement of up to 50,000 GBP in the event of the company’s insolvency. The organisation uses cutting-edge web security techniques, such as SSL encryption and 2F authentications, to safeguard its customers’ confidential information. 

Bottom Line

For those looking for a reliable banking or brokerage institution, Swissquote may be a competitive choice. The company’s extensive product catalogue spans many marketplaces, offering customers the option of using custom-built and third-party platforms. However, the company’s high minimum deposit and pricey fee structure preclude it from being regarded as the best broker in the stock niche. Customers with a limited tolerance for risk may nevertheless consider the company a viable option due to the strict rules and regulations under which it operates.

In this review, we covered full detail about the broker. Starting with a short introduction, we shared a summary of the broker and listed the pros and cons of signing up with it. After sharing the list of available financial assets, we discussed how stock trading works at Swissquote. A brief explanation of the supported trading platforms, followed by the pricing section and guide to opening an account with the broker using desktop and mobile devices. We also shared what people think of the broker on Reddit and Quora. Before giving our final verdict on the broker, we explained if the company was safe to invest in. Therefore, reading this review will help you know all about the broker and help you make an informed decision.