In order to achieve an even satin-finished nickel or nickel alloy coating an acid nickel or nickel alloy electroplating bath is proposed which contains a sulfosuccinic acid compound of the general formula I additional to at least one quaternary ammonium compound, wherein R1, R2=hydrogen ion, alkali ion, alkaline earth ion, ammonium ion and/or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety, wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different with the proviso that at the most one of the groups R1 and R2=hydrogen ion, alkali ion and alkaline earth ion, and wherein K+=hydrogen ion, alkaline ion, alkaline earth ion, ammonium ion