This comparison pits Plus500 and Saxo Bank in a regulated crypto CFD showdown. The axis of tension lies in platform depth and crypto coverage under strong oversight.
Plus500 and Saxo Bank are closely matched overall, but Saxo Bank's advanced charting sets it apart.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Saxo Bank wins for security with a Danish banking licence and broader regulatory framework.
Plus500 wins for low fees due to no commissions and spread-only pricing.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 3 months)▼ lower | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Plus500 | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Plus500 rates 3.7/5 and Saxo Bank rates 3.9/5. Saxo Bank has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both Plus500 and Saxo Bank list the same spread figure of 0.6. Compare each exchange's full fee schedule, including maker/taker rates and any volume discounts, to evaluate total trading costs.
Saxo Bank has no minimum deposit, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Saxo Bank more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both Plus500 and Saxo Bank hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Saxo Bank has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Plus500 offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Saxo Bank's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO.
Plus500 suits beginners with a clean interface and no minimum deposit.
Equally matched; neither provides DeFi or on-chain features.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FCA ASIC JFSA MAS DFSA FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker