Two brokers present distinct approaches to regulation, platform depth, and pricing. Saxo Bank emphasizes deep regulation and multi-asset reach, while Skilling focuses on a modern platform and competitive access.
Saxo Bank edges Skilling on overall score, driven by stronger regulation and broader instrument coverage.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Saxo Bank offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 0.70 pips for Skilling, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.9 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Saxo Bank | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Saxo Bank rates 4.7/5 versus 4.1/5 for Skilling. Saxo Bank edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Saxo Bank starts from 0.6 pips, tighter than Skilling's 0.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Saxo Bank has no minimum deposit, while Skilling requires at least $100. This makes Saxo Bank more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Saxo Bank and Skilling 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.
Saxo Bank lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Skilling lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader and MetaTrader 4.
Saxo Bank wins for safety and regulation, supported by higher trust scores and multiple top-tier regulators.
Saxo Bank is best for active traders with tiered pricing and extensive toolsets.
Skilling is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
Skilling wins for platform choice due to multiple platforms including Skilling Trader, cTrader, and MT4.
Skilling is best for beginners due to a modern UX and straightforward trading experience.
Saxo Bank wins for instrument variety with around 71,000 assets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1992 | 2016 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Copenhagen, Denmark | Valletta, Malta |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) | $10/month (after 90 days)▼ lower |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC JFSA MAS DFSA FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile | cTrader Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
Clean modern Skilling Trader platform, excellent UX for new-to-intermediate traders
cTrader available with raw spreads from 0.0 pips
CySEC and FCA regulation with EU and UK investor protections
Growing Latin American presence with local-language support
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
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
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
Cons
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
Newer broker, less track record than IG or Pepperstone
Product range narrower than multi-asset brokers
No phone support
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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