Choosing the right broker is an important part of any investment strategy. Beyond fees, factors like trust, usability, market access and tax considerations play an important role. Here we compare three brokers that are particularly popular among Swiss investors.
For investors from Switzerland, Germany and Europe
The brokers presented on this page are not limited to Swiss investors. Swissquote, Saxo Bank and Interactive Brokers serve clients from many countries and are generally suitable for international investors.
Investors from Germany and other European countries can usually open an account, provided their country of residence is supported. Depending on your location, there may be differences in the responsible entity, tax documentation or specific features.
All three brokers offer access to international exchanges and enable trading in stocks and ETFs worldwide. Account funding is done via bank transfer. Credit cards are not supported.
Broker Overview
Swissquote is one of the best-known online banks in Switzerland, holding a FINMA banking licence. The offering covers stocks, ETFs, funds and cryptocurrencies, all in one place.
Advantages
- FINMA-regulated, Swiss banking licence
- Buy crypto assets directly and easily
- Flat-rate ETF pricing from CHF 9
- Savings plan from CHF 3 per execution
- Fractional shares available
- Debit cards for payments in CHF, EUR, USD and more, incl. Bitcoin
- Pillar 3a and joint accounts
- Excellent app, beginner-friendly
Disadvantages
- Custody fees CHF 80–200/year
- Tax statement costs CHF 85
- Currency conversion fee 0.95%
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Open a Swissquote account →Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd holds its own FINMA banking licence and has been majority-owned by the Swiss J. Safra Sarasin Group since 2025. The broker combines low fees with broad international market access.
Advantages
- FINMA-regulated, Swiss banking licence
- No custody fees
- Free Swiss tax statement
- ETF trading from CHF 3 (0.08%)
- Free AutoInvest savings plan
- Currency conversion only 0.25%
Disadvantages
- Crypto only as derivatives/ETP, not direct
- Good app, but learning curve for beginners
- Occasional reports of extended compliance checks on larger deposits
Interactive Brokers is one of the largest online brokers worldwide. CHF accounts are fully supported. No conversion to USD is required. FX conversion is available at near-interbank rates (0.002%).
Advantages
- Lowest fees of all three brokers
- No custody or account fees
- CHF account with cheapest FX conversion
- ETF trading from USD 1 (US) / CHF 1.50 (SIX)
- Access to US-domiciled ETFs (lower TER)
Disadvantages
- No Swiss tax statement (third-party ~CHF 50/yr)
- Not FINMA-regulated (UK FCA)
- No savings plan available
- No direct crypto trading for Swiss clients
- Functional app, but complex
Comparison Table
| Swissquote | Saxo Bank | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Swiss Premium | Swiss Price Challenger | Global Low Cost |
| ETF Costs | from CHF 9 flat | from CHF 3 (0.08%) | from USD 1 / CHF 1.50 |
| Custody Fees | CHF 80–200/year | None | None |
| Swiss Tax Statement | CHF 85 | Free | Not available* |
| Currency Conversion | 0.95% | 0.25% | 0.002% |
| Savings Plan | From CHF 3 | Free (AutoInvest) | Not available |
| Direct Crypto | Yes (50+ coins) | No (ETP/derivatives only) | No |
| Debit Cards | Yes, multi-currency + Bitcoin | No | No |
| Regulation | FINMA (CH) | FINMA (CH) | FCA (UK) |
| Usability | Easy | Moderate | Advanced |
* Swiss tax statement for Interactive Brokers only available via third-party provider (approx. CHF 50/year).
Which Broker Suits You?
Looking for a Swiss bank with easy usability, a savings plan and direct crypto access?
→ SwissquoteWant low fees, no custody costs and a free tax statement, from a Swiss bank?
→ Saxo BankExperienced and want the lowest fees, global market access and cheapest currency conversion?
→ Interactive BrokersPractical Trading Tips
Prepare Foreign Currency in Advance
If you plan to buy a US-listed ETF, convert the amount to USD 2–3 days in advance. Currency transactions typically take two business days to settle. Without sufficient foreign currency balance, the broker may charge a short-term credit, with interest costs.
Understand Order Types
Market Order: Immediate execution at the current market price. Fast, but the price may deviate slightly in volatile markets. Limit Order: Buy or sell only at your desired price or better. Recommended for most purchases. Stop Loss: Automatic sale when a price falls below a certain threshold. Useful for limiting losses.
Double-Check Buy and Sell
Before every order: verify that you have selected the correct tab: Buy or Sell. An accidental click on the wrong side can be costly. Also check the amount, currency and order type before confirming.
Register Registered Shares
Swiss registered shares (e.g. Nestlé, Roche, Novartis) can be electronically registered in the share register at many brokers, often at the click of a button. This gives you invitations to general meetings and access to potential shareholder benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which broker is suitable for Swiss investors?
All three brokers are suitable for Swiss investors. Swissquote and Saxo Bank hold a Swiss FINMA banking licence. Interactive Brokers is regulated via its UK subsidiary (FCA) and offers SIPC protection up to USD 500,000.
Do I need a USD account at Interactive Brokers?
No. Interactive Brokers supports CHF as a base currency. You can deposit via Swiss bank transfer and convert currencies at near-interbank rates (0.002% fee) when needed.
Which broker has the lowest fees?
Interactive Brokers has the lowest trading and currency conversion fees. Saxo Bank offers the best overall package of low fees, no custody costs and a free tax statement. Swissquote tends to be more expensive but scores with simplicity and crypto access.
Can I set up a savings plan with all brokers?
Swissquote offers a savings plan from CHF 3 per execution. Saxo Bank offers AutoInvest as a free savings plan. Interactive Brokers does not offer an automatic savings plan.
Which broker provides a Swiss tax statement?
Swissquote provides a tax statement for CHF 85. Saxo Bank offers it free of charge. Interactive Brokers does not provide an official Swiss tax statement. A third-party provider offers this service for approx. CHF 50 per year.
Can I buy cryptocurrencies directly?
Only Swissquote lets you buy and hold real crypto assets (BTC, ETH and over 50 others) directly. Saxo Bank offers crypto exposure only via derivatives and ETPs. Direct crypto trading is not available for Swiss retail clients at Interactive Brokers.