Broker comparison

CapTrader vs.
Swissquote

Which broker fits your needs?

Platforms, products and fees side by side.

Checked on 22 October 2026

See comparison

Summary

Your goal decides

Swissquote has a higher rating of 4.4/5 compared to CapTrader (4.3/5). Swissquote offers 8 instrument types, while CapTrader offers 7. The minimum deposit is lower at Swissquote with 1.000 CHF. Oversight: CapTrader: IBIE (account-carrying): Central Bank of Ireland; CapTrader GmbH: BaFin for financial services, e.g. asset management; Swissquote: FINMA. CapTrader: Yes, listed options: Eurex, US. Swissquote: Yes, options trading available via eTrading.

German introducing broker for Interactive Brokers with top conditions

Swiss online bank with premium trading and crypto offering

At a glance

The key differences

Criterion
PlatformsTWS, CapTrader App, IBKR MobileSwissquote eTrading, MT4, MT5, Swissquote App
Product typesStocks, Options, Futures, Forex, ETFs, Bonds, CFDsStocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds, Crypto
Options tradingYes, listed options: Eurex, USYes, options trading available via eTrading
Fee modelEurex: Germany: from €2.00 per contract; check the fee schedule for details and minimums; US: US: from USD 3.50 per contract; check the fee schedule for details and minimumsStocks from CHF 5, forex spreads from 1.3 pip (Standard)
Minimum deposit2.000 €1.000 CHF
RegulationIBIE (account-carrying): Central Bank of Ireland; CapTrader GmbH: BaFin for financial services, e.g. asset managementFINMA
More informationDetailsDetails

Platforms

CapTrader

TWS, CapTrader App, IBKR Mobile

Swissquote

Swissquote eTrading, MT4, MT5, Swissquote App

Product types

CapTrader

Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, ETFs, Bonds, CFDs

Swissquote

Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds, Crypto

Options trading

CapTrader

Yes, listed options: Eurex, US

Swissquote

Yes, options trading available via eTrading

Fee model

CapTrader

Eurex: Germany: from €2.00 per contract; check the fee schedule for details and minimums; US: US: from USD 3.50 per contract; check the fee schedule for details and minimums

Swissquote

Stocks from CHF 5, forex spreads from 1.3 pip (Standard)

Minimum deposit

CapTrader

2.000 €

Swissquote

1.000 CHF

Regulation

CapTrader

IBIE (account-carrying): Central Bank of Ireland; CapTrader GmbH: BaFin for financial services, e.g. asset management

Swissquote

FINMA

More information

CapTrader

Details

Swissquote

Details

Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.

Detailed comparison

Comparing fees

Compare total costs, not just the order fee.

Terms by market

Eurex
Germany: from €2.00 per contract; check the fee schedule for details and minimums
US
US: from USD 3.50 per contract; check the fee schedule for details and minimums
Minimum deposit
2.000 €
See terms at provider

Stocks from CHF 5, forex spreads from 1.3 pip (Standard)

Published fee
Stocks from CHF 5, forex spreads from 1.3 pip (Standard)
Minimum deposit
1.000 CHF
Inactivity
No inactivity fee; however CHF 80/quarter custody fee on securities accounts
See terms at provider

The relevant costs depend on market, currency, order size and trading style.

Worked out

What does it actually cost?

Typical months at CapTrader and Swissquote, priced from their published fee schedules. Spreads, FX and exchange fees come on top depending on the venue.

ScenarioCapTraderSwissquote
ETF savings plan, ≈ €200 a month€4Single Xetra buy: 0.10%, min €4.00 (FNZ savings plan fees not verified)CHF 3.85Single ETF Leader buy (SIX) < CHF 500: CHF 3 + CHF 0.85 real-time fee; savings-plan tariff not published
10 stock buys of ≈ €1,000 a month€40Xetra: 0.10% × €1,000 = €1 → €4.00 minimum × 10CHF 58.50SIX, CHF 500.01–1,000: CHF 5 + CHF 0.85 real-time fee per order × 10 (excl. stamp duty)
10 US option contracts a monthUS$35US options: $3.50 per contract × 10US$15US stock options USD 1.50 per contract × 10 in one order (min USD 5/order), excl. exchange fees
10 lots of EUR/USD a month—Only commission published (0.3 bp × volume, min $3.75); no typical spread → not computableUS$170Standard account: EUR/USD spread from 1.7 pips (minimum) × $10 × 10, no commission
One BTC purchase of ≈ €1,000—Crypto fee not found on official pricing pagesCHF 9.50Standard tier taker 1% × CHF 950
Custody and account fee per year€0Account maintenance freeCHF 86.48Custody fee CHF 20/quarter (assets up to CHF 50,000) × 4 + 8.1% VAT

Checked on 22 October 2026. Prices can change; the current fee schedule is what counts. Sources: captrader.com · captrader.com · captrader.com · captrader.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com

Execution quality

Order type, venue and liquidity affect execution.

Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.

Provider information

Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.

Provider information

Product range

StocksOptionsFuturesForexETFsBondsCFDs
StocksETFsForexOptionsFuturesBondsFundsCrypto

Categories come from broker profiles. Check specific markets and permissions before deciding.

Trading platforms

TWS · CapTrader App · IBKR Mobile

CapTrader offers the renowned Trader Workstation (TWS) as its main platform, the CapTrader App, and the IBKR Mobile App. The TWS is one of the most powerful trading platforms in the world, offering real-time charting with over 100 technical indicators, option chains with Greeks, strategy builders for complex option strategies, risk management tools, and algorithmic trading. The mobile app also enables access to all markets and order types on the go.

Explore platform

Swissquote eTrading · MT4 · MT5 · Swissquote App

Swissquote offers the Swissquote eTrading platform, MT4, MT5, and the Swissquote App. The eTrading platform is the main platform for trading stocks, options, bonds, and funds with real-time market data, chart analysis, and portfolio management. MT4 and MT5 are available for forex and CFD trading with automated strategies. The Swissquote App provides the full range of features on mobile, including crypto trading, securities trading, and banking functions.

Explore platform

Regulation & security

CapTrader

Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited (account holder); CapTrader GmbH, Düsseldorf, acts as introducing broker

Supervisor
Central Bank of Ireland (IBIE), BaFin
Investor compensation
Securities segregated at IBIE; Irish investor compensation (ICCL): 90% up to €20,000
Cash
IBIE is not a deposit bank: client money segregated; ICCL 90% up to €20,000 (shared limit)

Swissquote

Swissquote Bank SA (Gland, Switzerland)

Supervisor
FINMA
Investor compensation
Securities in custody remain the client's property and are handed back in a bank bankruptcy; segregated, not capped
Cash
esisuisse deposit insurance: up to CHF 100,000 per client and bank

Regulation does not protect against market losses. What counts is the entity you sign the contract with.

Your investor profile

Who might it suit?

German introducing broker for Interactive Brokers with top conditions

  • Access to over 150 exchanges worldwide
  • Comprehensive options trading
  • German support with IB technology
  • Minimum deposit €2,000
  • TWS platform complex for beginners

Swiss online bank with premium trading and crypto offering

  • Swiss banking license (FINMA)
  • Broad product range incl. crypto
  • High deposit protection
  • Higher minimum deposit (CHF 1,000)
  • Fees higher than pure online brokers

Find the broker that fits

CapTrader oder Swissquote?

Side by side. Decided with knowledge.

See the differences that matter, and the Academy lessons that explain them.

CapTrader4.3
  • Access to over 150 exchanges worldwide
  • Comprehensive options trading
  • German support with IB technology
Swissquote4.4
  • Swiss banking license (FINMA)
  • Broad product range incl. crypto
  • High deposit protection
VS
  • Fees
  • Platform
  • Regulation
  • Matching lessons
Two brokers. Many options. Your call.
Open The Dealing Room

CapTrader and Swissquote do not earn the same way

The table shows what they cost. These lessons show how they earn, which is what the difference is made of.

Who is on the other side?

Whether your order leaves the building or stops at the desk

Open the lesson →

The fill you actually get

Why the price on screen and the price you get are not the same

Open the lesson →

Where the price comes from

How several bank quotes become one spread on your screen

Open the lesson →

Your questions

Frequently asked questions

How do fees differ between CapTrader and Swissquote?
CapTrader: Eurex: Germany: from €2.00 per contract; check the fee schedule for details and minimums; US: US: from USD 3.50 per contract; check the fee schedule for details and minimums. Swissquote: Stocks from CHF 5, forex spreads from 1.3 pip (Standard). Compare total costs for the specific market, product, currency and order size in the current fee schedule.
Which broker offers more products: CapTrader or Swissquote?
CapTrader offers Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, ETFs, Bonds, CFDs. Swissquote offers Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds, Crypto.
How are CapTrader and Swissquote regulated?
The broker profiles list IBIE (account-carrying): Central Bank of Ireland; CapTrader GmbH: BaFin for financial services, e.g. asset management for CapTrader and FINMA for Swissquote. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is CapTrader or Swissquote better for beginners?
CapTrader lists a 2.000 € minimum deposit and offers TWS, CapTrader App, IBKR Mobile. Swissquote lists 1.000 CHF and offers Swissquote eTrading, MT4, MT5, Swissquote App. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
CapTrader vs Swissquote: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between CapTrader (4.3/5, 580 reviews) and Swissquote (4.4/5, 1200 reviews) depends on your needs. CapTrader: German introducing broker for Interactive Brokers with top conditions. Swissquote: Swiss online bank with premium trading and crypto offering.
Do CapTrader or Swissquote charge an inactivity fee?
CapTrader: no inactivity fee. Swissquote: No inactivity fee; however CHF 80/quarter custody fee on securities accounts.

Your next step

Your next step

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Before you pick a broker

The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.

Crypto options: Bitcoin & EthereumOptions on crypto, the venues and their quirks.Options risks & opportunitiesWhat you can lose, and what the risk buys you.Options taxes in GermanyFlat-rate tax, loss offsetting and allowances.
Terms in the glossary:Implied volatilityMarginPremiumCall optionExpiration