Traders consistently seek trusted and reliable trading platforms that suit their trading styles and preferences. Dukascopy and TD Ameritrade are top-tier regulated brokers providing online trading services worldwide. Dukascopy is known for its social trading and multi-asset platform, regulated in two tier-1 jurisdictions including FINMA and JFSA. On the other hand, TD Ameritrade specializes in online forex trading, regulated by three tier-1 jurisdictions including SEC , FINRA , SIPC. While these brokers offer similar services, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
In this article, I have compared Dukascopy and TD Ameritrade in terms of trading platforms, Pros, Cons, regulations, tradable assets, fees, customer support, and overall trading experience score. This analysis aims to help you determine which broker better suits your trading style and preferences.
Dukascopy vs TD Ameritrade: In a Nutshell
Dukascopy
Established in 2004, Dukascopy is a Swiss-based online forex broker with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and international offices in Japan and Latvia. The broker has held a Swiss bank license since 2010. Dukascopy offers MT4, MT5, and its own proprietary trading platform named JForex. Regulated by FINMA (Switzerland) and JFSA (Japan), the broker is renowned for its advanced trading technology and transparent pricing model. Dukascopy supports various trading strategies like scalping, hedging, and news trading, and also provides PAMM accounts. Moreover, it offers a range of educational resources to assist traders in enhancing their skills.
Dukascopy Overview
- Founded In: 2004
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Maximum Leverage: 200:1
- Regulations: FINMA
- Trading platform: MT4/MT5, JForex4
- Account Types:
- Payment Options: Bank Wire (BankTransfer/SWIFT), VISA, MasterCard, Bank Gurantees, Credit/Debit Card, Cryptocurrency, Maestro, Neteller, Skrill
- US Traders: Not Accept
TD Ameritrade
Founded in 1971 as Ameritrade, TD Ameritrade is a well-known American online brokerage firm that offers a wide range of financial services including stocks, Forex, options, ETFs Mutual Funds, fixed income and other investment products TD Ameritrade went through a couple of acquisitions and mergers. In 2006, it acquired the US operations of TD Waterhouse, followed by the acquisition of Scottrade in 2017. Finally, in 2020, Charles Schwab Corporation acquired TD Ameritrade. TD Ameritrade provides access to both US and non-US traders to trade on this platform.
TD Ameritrade At a Glance
- Founded In: 1978
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Maximum Leverage: 1:50
- Regulations: SEC , FINRA , SIPC
- Trading platform: Web Platforms, thinkorswim desktop, thinkorswim® web, Mobile Trading
- Account Types: Standard, Retirement, Education and Specialty accounts.
- Payment Options: Bank Wire (BankTransfer/SWIFT), ACH (Automated Clearing House), Check, Physical Stock Certificates, Transfer from Existing Broker
- US Clients : Accepted
Dukascopy vs TD Ameritrade: Side By Side Comparison
Dukascopy vs: TD Ameritrade Features
Dukascopy
- Trading Instruments: 1200+ trading instruments including FOREX, ENERGY, CRYPTO, METALS, INDEXES, BONDS, STOCKS
- Maximum Leverage: The maximum leverage of Dukascopy is 200:1. However, leverage may vary based on equity, assets, jurisdiction, and account type
- Minimum Deposit: The minimum deposit of Dukascopy is $100
- Trading Fees: Trading fees (spreads and commissions) depend on account types. The minimum spread starts from 0.1 pips on EUR/USD. The standard fee is $0.5 per 1 MT4 lot ($5 per $1 million).
- Account Types: Two ( Live account, Demo Account)
- PAMM: Available
- Scalping: Allowed
- News Trading: Allowed
- EA/ Robot Trading: Allowed
TD Ameritrade
- Trading Instruments: 4,700+ trading instruments including Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, fixed income, futures, and forex, as well as margin lending and cash management services
- Maximum Leverage: 50:1. Offers both leverage and non-leverage assets.
- Minimum Deposit: TD Ameritrade does not require a minimum deposit to open a trading account
- Account Type: Brokerage and Trading, Retirement Account, Education and Custodian, charitable giving, lending, Small business retirements, Checking and Savings, Robo and Dedicated Advice, credit cards, Annuities, Trust and Estate, Insurance
- Trading Fees: TD Ameritrade offers a $0 account minimum with no charges for trading stocks and ETFs. Bond trades are $1 per bond, and most options contracts cost $0.65 each. Mutual fund trades typically cost around $50, but the firm also provides access to over 3,600 no-transaction-fee funds
- PAMM/MAM: Not Available
- News Trading: Allowed
- Scalping: Allowed
- Automated Trading: Allowed
Dukascopy vs TD Ameritrade: Pros and Cons
Dukascopy Pros & Cons
- Regulated by FINMA and JFSA.
- Allows hedging, scalping, EA trading, and news trading.
- Offers a variety of trading platforms including MT4, MT5, and Jforex.
- Provides over 1200 trading instruments including forex, cryptos, and CFDs.
- Dukascopy Bank provides banking services, bonuses, and trading contests for its traders.
- Swiss Bank deposit protection up to CHF 100,000 per client.
- Low spreads starting from 0.1 pips on EUR/USD.
- Maximum leverage is as high as 200:1.
- Demo accounts are available.
- Islamic accounts are offered.
- Wide range of trading orders: MIT, limit orders, OCO, and TP/SL orders
- Minimum deposit $100 is high for beginner
- Limited top tier regulations ( NO FCA, CySEC Regulation)
- Higher Trading Commission for Islamic Traders
- Charges inactivity fees
- Limited Educatinal Tools and Resources.
TD Ameritrade Pros & Cons
- ETF, non-penny stock, and options trades are commission-free
- Expansive trading tools and resources for all types of investors
- Low trading fees (free stock and ETF trading)
- Regulated by FINRA, SIBC
- Part of Charles Schwab Corporation since October 2020, with a combined 28 million clients and $6 trillion in assets.
- The company does not charge fees for trading in American and Canadian stocks, options, and ETFs.
- There is a large selection of investments from which to choose
- Broker-assisted trades are somewhat costly
- No direct crypto Trading
- Forex trading via thinkorswim, a trading platform where you can trade forex
- No MT4, MT5, cTraders trading platforms are offered
- Fractional shares are not offered
- Accounts mostly limited to US residents
- As a U.S.-only forex broker, TD Ameritrade does not offer copy trading or MetaTrader (MT4).
Dukascopy Vs TD Ameritrade: Our Scores and Ratings
We rated both brokers, Dukascopy and TD Ameritrade, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 0.1 increments. To achieve a comprehensive rating, we broadly grouped all services offered by brokers into 6 macro categories and assigned percentage weights to them. Each macro category is subdivided into several data points which contributes to the total score of 1.0-10.0 assigned to each macro category. Since all categories are not equally important, our weight percentage plays a significant role in assessing the broker accurately. For example, Regulation and Security contributes a total weight of 40% to the whole ratings because this is the most important rating category. To learn more, read our methodology.
Dukascopy:
TD Ameritrade
Final Verdict :
Both Dukascopy and TD Ameritrade are regulated online trading platforms in the industry, offering services to traders and investors. However, there are some differences between them. Dukascopy is a multi-asset and social trading platform, providing trading instruments, including forex, cryptocurrencies, indices, stocks, bonds, energy & metals.It offers both leverage and non-leverage tradable assets. On the other hand, TD Ameritrade is a forex and CFD broker offering stocks,options,ETFs,mutual funds,futures,forex,margin trading,bonds & fixed income.
Our score for Dukascopy is 8.2, and for TD Ameritrade, it is 8.8 (based on our research; a score above 8 is considered safe and trustworthy). If you are seeking a social trading platform where you can copy other successful traders and have a one-stop solution for various types of trading, you may choose Dukascopy. However, if you prefer online forex and CFD brokers, you may choose TD Ameritrade.
