Charles Schwabvs
Saxo BankStock Broker Comparison
In this head to head, Charles Schwab and Saxo Bank contrast cost efficiency with global reach. The axis centers on fees, access to international markets, and platform capability.
Who should choose Charles Schwab vs Saxo Bank?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Charles Schwab if you want commission-free trading and fractional shares.
Choose if…
Choose Saxo Bank if you want access to 60,000+ instruments across 50 exchanges.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Charles Schwab vs Saxo Bank: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | $2,000 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) |
| Deposit fee | Free |
Charles Schwab vs Saxo Bank Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Commission-free US stock and ETF trading with no account minimum
- thinkorswim, most powerful retail trading platform available at zero cost
- Fractional shares (Schwab Slices) from $5 for any S&P 500 company
- Broadest research stack in US retail (Morningstar, Argus, CFRA, proprietary)
- Regulated by SEC and FINRA; $9 trillion in client assets
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-adviser with no management fee
Charles Schwab vs Saxo Bank: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
Charles Schwab
criteria wins
2
Saxo Bank
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Charles Schwab | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Pass |
| IPO access | Pass | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Charles Schwab vs Saxo Bank: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Charles Schwab rates 4.6/5 and Saxo Bank rates 4.5/5. Charles Schwab 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.
Saxo Bank starts from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for Charles Schwab. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Saxo Bank requires $2000. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Charles Schwab.
Both Charles Schwab 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, Saxo Bank provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Charles Schwab lists maximum leverage of 1:4, while Saxo Bank lists up to 1:5. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Charles Schwab supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, thinkorswim, while Saxo Bank supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Charles Schwab has exclusive access to thinkorswim.
Charles Schwab offers commission-free stock trading while Saxo Bank does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Saxo Bank scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
