In this head-to-head, Exness and Saxo Bank clash on regulation, pricing, and platform depth. The outcome hinges on whether traders prioritize trust and tools or access to ultra-low deposits.
Saxo Bank outperforms Exness on the editorial score, driven by higher trust & regulation and stronger platforms.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Exness offers tighter spreads from 0.30 pips vs 0.60 pips for Saxo Bank, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.9 / 5▲ |
Pros
Near-unlimited leverage on offshore entity
Extremely low $1 minimum deposit on Standard account
Instant withdrawals available 24/7 including weekends
One of the world's highest-volume retail FX brokers
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Exness rates 4.4/5 and Saxo Bank rates 4.7/5. 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.
Exness starts from 0.3 pips, tighter than Saxo Bank's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Saxo Bank has no minimum deposit, while Exness requires at least $1. This makes Saxo Bank more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Exness and Saxo Bank hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker'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 brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Exness lists maximum leverage of 2000:1, while Saxo Bank lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Exness charges $3.5 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Saxo Bank are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Exness has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Saxo Bank wins with higher trust/regulation scores and broader regulator coverage.
Saxo Bank wins with tiered active-trader pricing that rewards higher volumes.
Exness is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.30 pips.
Saxo Bank wins with premium proprietary platforms and deep charting tools.
Exness wins for beginners with a $1 minimum deposit and simple access.
Saxo Bank wins with an extensive instrument universe (71,000 assets).
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 1992 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Copenhagen, Denmark |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.3 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.65 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 2,000:1 | 30:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA OJK CySEC | FCA ASIC JFSA MAS DFSA FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Licensed bank (Denmark)
Best-in-class multi-asset platform
Tiered active-trader pricing
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Not available to US residents
EU clients face significant leverage restrictions
Unlimited leverage carries extreme risk for inexperienced traders
No proprietary platform
Cons
Higher minimums on classic accounts than ECN brokers
No MT4 / MT5
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.4 / 5
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