Fidelity and Saxo Bank go head to head on cost, global access, and trading platforms. The matchup tests whether zero-cost funds and commission-free trading outweigh broader market access and tools.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free trading and fractional shares.
Choose if…
Choose Saxo Bank if you want access to 50 exchanges and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| 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 |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Fidelity | 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 | Fail | 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 |
The scores are close: Fidelity rates 4.6/5 and Saxo Bank rates 4.5/5. Fidelity 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 Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Saxo Bank requires $2000. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity 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.
Fidelity 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.
Fidelity supports Active Trader Pro, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO.
Fidelity 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.
Fidelity wins for low-cost trading due to commission-free US stocks and ETFs.
Saxo Bank wins safety & regulation due to broad multi-jurisdiction oversight.
Fidelity is best for long-term investing thanks to zero-expense ratio index funds and no minimums.
Fidelity wins for active traders with the Active Trader Pro platform and advanced tools.
Fidelity is best for beginners due to fractional shares and commission-free trading.
Saxo Bank wins global market access with 60,000+ instruments across 50 exchanges.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free EFT; $10 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | ASIC JFSA CNMV KNF FCA DFSA MFSA ACPR Finansinspektionen CBI CMA SFC Finanstilsynet FINMA MAS Finanstilsynet FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | Active Trader Pro Proprietary Web/Mobile | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Fidelity and Saxo Bank are closely matched overall, with Fidelity's commission-free trading the clearest differentiator.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.5 / 5
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