Focus Option vs Swissquote

Focus Option or Swissquote – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare Focus Option and Swissquote in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Focus Option vs Swissquote Comparison Table 2025
Focus Option Swissquote
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3.7
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4
Focus Option is ranked #8 among binary options brokers. Swissquote is ranked #67 among CFD brokers.
Focus Option is an offshore broker that specializes in binary options as well as CFDs. Binary options trading on forex, cryptos and three commodities is done through the broker's simple web-based platform with average payouts between 70% and 95%. The broker also offers a mobile app for trading CFDs, with 300+ tradeable instruments. Established in 1996, Swissquote is a Switzerland-based bank and broker that offers online trading on an industry beating three million products, from forex and CFDs to futures, options and bonds. Highly trusted, it has built a strong reputation through innovative trading solutions, from becoming the first bank to offer crypto trading in 2017 to more recently launching fractional shares and its Invest Easy service.
Pros
  • Web-based platform provides a quick and easy way to access markets
  • Good selection of cryptocurrencies available including Bitcoin
  • Binary options contracts from 30 seconds to 30 days
  • Accepts crypto deposits and withdrawals
  • $10 low minimum deposit
  • Easy sign-up process
  • Payouts up to 95%
  • $1 minimum trade
  • Swissquote is highly trusted owing to its position as a bank, its listing on the Swiss stock exchange, and authorization from trusted bodies like FINMA in Switzerland, FCA in the UK, and CSSF in Luxembourg.
  • Swissquote is built for fast-paced trading strategies like trading, scalping and high-frequency trading with 9ms average execution speeds, a 98% fill ratio, and FIX API.
  • Swissquote supports powerful platforms for trading, such as MetaTrader 4/5 and its own CFXD (previously known as Advanced Trader) which impressed during testing with customizable layouts and access to advanced charting tools and technical indicators.
  • Swissquote provides advanced research services like Autochartist for technical analysis and integration of real-time news from Dow Jones. Its proprietary Market Talk videos and Morning News reports deliver expert analysis daily, appealing to active traders.
Cons
  • Offshore regulation raises safety concerns
  • Average trading terms on CFDs with spreads from 3 pips on GBP/USD
  • Clients based in the USA cannot use the broker’s products
  • Swissquote primarily caters to pro and high-net-worth clients, with high minimum deposit requirements (eg $1,000 for Standard accounts), making it less suited for smaller traders who can find higher leverage at the growing number of brokers with no minimum deposit.
  • Analysis shows Swissquote’s fees are on the high side, with forex spreads starting at 1.7 pips on Standard accounts, compared to 0.0 pips at brokers like Pepperstone or IC Markets. Transaction fees for non-Swiss stocks and ETFs can also add up for frequent traders.
  • Unlike brokers such as eToro with social trading features, Swissquote lacks tools for community engagement or copying successful traders, limiting its appeal for those who value peer-to-peer learning.
Awards
  • Top Innovative Companies 2025 – Statista
  • ETF Online Broker of the Year 2024 – Swiss ETF Awards
  • World’s Most Trustworthy Companies 2024 – Statista
FCA Regulated
No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Yes
Instruments
Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Metals, Indices CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Bonds, Options, Futures, ETFs, Crypto (location dependent)
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$10 $1,000
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
$1 0.01 Lots
Regulator
FCA, FINMA, CSSF, DFSA, SFC, MAS, MFSA, CySEC, FSCA
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App

The Swissquote app, refined over the years, combines banking and trading, giving you instant access to an industry-leading selection of more than three million instruments, including stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. It goes beyond most trading apps we’ve tested – providing a comprehensive financial app, complete with dynamic charts and unique features.

iOS App Rating
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4.5
Android App Rating
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3.4
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4
No Yes
MetaTrader 5
No Yes
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
Yes No
Autochartist
No Yes
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
No Yes
ECN Account
No No
DMA Account
No Yes
MAM Account
No Yes
PAMM Account
No No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No Yes
Robo Advisor
No Yes
Negative Balance Protection
No Yes
Market Maker
Yes Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
No Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader and FIX API solutions
Copy Trading
No No
Social Trading
No No
Trade Signals
Yes Integrated in CFXD
VPS Hosting
Yes No
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No Yes
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
$0
Islamic Account
No Yes
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • JPY
  • ZAR
  • TRY
  • SEK
  • NOK
  • DKK
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
  • PLN
  • AED
  • SAR
  • HUF
  • THB
  • QAR
  • MXN
Commodities
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Oil
  • Gasoline
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Natural Gas
  • Copper
  • Cocoa
  • Sugar
  • Soybeans
  • Coffee
  • Precious Metals
CFD
Focus Option offers CFD trading through an intuitive mobile app, with 300+ tradeable instruments spanning forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, shares and indices. Leverage ranges from 1:20 to 1:50 and spreads are variable, starting from 1 pip, with no commission. Swissquote has emerged as a dependable CFD broker, providing short-term trading opportunities on an extensive selection of global markets with fast execution, its intuitive CFXD platform alongside MetaTrader, plus insights from trusted third parties like Autochartist and Trading Central.
Leverage
1:50 1:30
FTSE Spread
NA 0.9
GBPUSD Spread<
3 1.7
Oil Spread
1 0.03
Stocks Spread
Variable N/A
Forex
Focus Option offers 22 forex pairs tradeable via binary options, including a selection of majors and minors. FX pairs are also available to trade with margin on Focus Option's mobile app, which offers high leverage up to 1:50 and spreads from 1 pip. Swissquote offers compelling conditions for active forex traders, with an extensive range of 80+ currency pairs, plus ultra-fast execution speeds averaging 9ms and access to the industry’s favorite MT4 software.
Assets
39 80+
GBPUSD Spread
3 1.7
EURUSD Spread
1 1.3
EURGBP Spread
3 1.5
Cryptocurrency
Focus Option clients can trade binary options on an extensive list of 80+ cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum plus smaller altcoins like Tron and 0x. Crypto CFDs are also available through the broker's mobile app with high leverage. Swissquote has evolved into a leading crypto provider, expanding its offerings to include over 30 digital tokens, as well as its own SQX exchange, crypto staking, plus custodian services for professional traders. And all of this from one of the most trusted, well-regulated brands in the crypto space.
Spread
NA 71 BTC (Prime Account)
Coins
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • XRP
  • USDT
  • BTC
  • LTC
  • ADA
  • AAVE
  • ATOM
  • DOGE
  • KSM
  • CRO
  • THETA
  • LINK
  • YFI
  • YCC
  • MATIC
  • RUNE
  • SOL
  • MANA
  • MIOTA
  • XMONEY
  • XMR
  • SUSHI
  • BAT
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • USDT
  • USDC
  • XRP
  • SOL
  • AVAX
  • ATOM
  • ENS
  • ONDO
  • ICP
  • NEAR
  • IMC
  • RNDR
  • GRT
  • LDO
  • ALGO
  • DOT
  • ADA
  • XTZ
  • APE
  • LINK
  • POL
  • GALA
  • SAND
  • AXS
  • MANA
  • DOGE
  • UNI
  • FIL
  • MKR
  • CHZ
  • AAVE
  • COMP
  • XLM
  • ENJ
  • BCH
  • LTC
  • ZRX
  • BNT
  • EOS
  • AUDIO
  • ETC
  • HBAR
Crypto Lending
No Yes
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No Yes
Auto Market Maker
No No
Binary Options
Focus Option offers binary options trading on 140+ instruments including forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, indices and company shares. Contracts include 30 seconds, 1 min, 2 mins, 5 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins, 1 hr, end of day, and long-term contracts up to 30 days. Decent payouts typically climb to 95%. The browser-based platform is beginner-friendly with sophisticated analysis tools.
Payout
95%
Expiration Times
30 seconds - 1 week
Boundary Options
No No
Ladder Options
No No
Focus Option Swissquote
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