Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Swissquote
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $1,000Lower |
| Stock trade fee | $2Lower | $20 |
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:100 |
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Key differences
- CapTrader scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Swissquote: $1,000 vs $2,000.
- Stock trade fee is lower at CapTrader: $2 vs $20.
- Inactivity fee is lower at CapTrader: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers ETFs, Options, Futures.
- Support channels: only Swissquote offers Phone.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
Swissquote
Swissquote runs a Swiss bank entity under CSSF supervision with EU investor compensation, so it suits traders who want a bank behind the account. The trade-off is entry cost: a stock trade fee of $20 and a minimum deposit of $1,000 sit well above cheaper rivals.
Score breakdown
| Area | CapTrader | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7HigherAccount fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 8.3Costs run high: stock trade fee $20, minimum deposit $1,000 and inactivity fee $10 sit above site medians. |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 9.0 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.0 |
What each covers
| Markets | CapTrader | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Availability and regulation
| Country | CapTrader | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg | Not confirmed | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) MiCA CASP 549300M2IHOB9P5WE714 |
How they place
| Ranking | CapTrader | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 19 of 471 | 187 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 7 of 147 | 80 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 7 of 145 | 78 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 7 of 122 | 67 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Swissquote Bank Europe SA |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Luxembourg |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1996 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | CapTrader | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ESG |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Swissquote | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $1,000highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | $20highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $10above the median | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
Swissquote
Pros
- Regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg, with the legal entity named as Swissquote Bank Europe SA.
- Covers stocks, forex, CFDs and crypto on a single account, with retail leverage of 1:100.
- A demo account and a mobile app are both listed features, so you can test before committing.
Cons
- Costs are high for a retail account: a stock trade fee of $20 against a site median of €0.
- The minimum deposit of $1,000 ranks 191 of 213, far above the site median of €4.64.
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, where the site median is €0.
Who each suits
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
Swissquote
Who it suits
- Traders moving between forex, CFDs, crypto and shares on a single account
- Investors who put weight on a supervised bank entity and investor compensation
- People who want to practise on a demo account before risking money
Who should look elsewhere
- Newcomers with a small starting balance, since the minimum deposit is $1,000
- Share buyers focused on trading costs, given the stock trade fee of $20 against eToro at $0
- Passive long term investors, because the portfolio options listed are esg
Questions about each
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
Swissquote
How much does it cost to trade shares with Swissquote?+
The stock trade fee is $20, which is well above the site median of €0. Swissquote ranks 161 of 161 on this measure, so share dealing here is costly. eToro, by contrast, charges $0 per trade.
What is the minimum deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $1,000, which is a high bar for a first account. On our data Swissquote ranks 191 of 213 on this measure, against a site median of €4.64. Vantage asks for $5 and CFI for $0.
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