Saxo Bank and ThinkMarkets clash on regulation breadth, platform depth, and pricing, challenging readers to weigh trust against tools.
Saxo Bank edges ThinkMarkets on overall score due to broader regulation and deeper multi-asset platform. This reflects stronger trust and platform depth.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Saxo Bank if…
Saxo Bank: Choose Saxo Bank if you prioritise broad regulation. You gain access to a deep multi-asset platform. ThinkMarkets: Choose ThinkMarkets if you want MT4/MT5 access. You also get 24/5 live chat support.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Saxo Bank: Choose Saxo Bank if you prioritise broad regulation. You gain access to a deep multi-asset platform. ThinkMarkets: Choose ThinkMarkets if you want MT4/MT5 access. You also get 24/5 live chat support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.40 pips vs 0.60 pips for Saxo Bank, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.2/ 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 | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Saxo Bank rates 4.7/5 versus 4.2/5 for ThinkMarkets. Saxo Bank edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ThinkMarkets starts from 0.4 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.
Neither Saxo Bank nor ThinkMarkets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Saxo Bank and ThinkMarkets 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Saxo Bank lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Saxo Bank are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Saxo Bank wins for safety and regulation with broader global licensure and segregated client funds.
ThinkMarkets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.40 pips.
ThinkMarkets wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5 and ThinkTrader.
ThinkMarkets wins for beginners with a no-minimum-deposit option.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1992 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Copenhagen, Denmark | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 1.1 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) | None |
|---|
| 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 ASIC FSCA JFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView 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
No minimum deposit on standard ThinkForex account
ThinkTrader proprietary app is well-reviewed for mobile trading
JFSA regulation for Japanese clients
Strong multi-region regulatory coverage
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
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
ThinkZero account requires $500 minimum deposit
Standard account is spread-only and not competitive for scalpers
Not available to US residents
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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