Forex.com and Saxo Bank face off in a battle over regulation, platforms, and global access. The tension centers on US-ready share CFDs versus broad exchange coverage and advanced trading tools.
Saxo Bank edges Forex.com on editorial score (4.5 vs 3.9). Its higher ratings for trust & regulation and platforms & tools underpin the gap.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Saxo Bank wins safety & regulation with a broader regulatory footprint.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100▼ lower | $2,000 |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Forex.com | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Saxo Bank rates 4.5/5 versus 3.9/5 for Forex.com. Saxo Bank edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Saxo Bank lists tighter spreads from 0.6, compared with Forex.com's 1. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Forex.com has $100, while Saxo Bank requires at least $2000. This makes Forex.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Forex.com 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: Forex.com requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Forex.com lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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.
Forex.com charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Saxo Bank are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Forex.com has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO.
Neither Forex.com nor Saxo Bank is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both Forex.com and Saxo Bank are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
Saxo Bank wins long-term investing with options and bonds in one account.
Saxo Bank wins active trading with extended hours and professional tools.
Forex.com wins for beginners with a lower minimum deposit and simpler platform.
Saxo Bank wins with access to 50 exchanges and 60,000+ instruments.
Saxo Bank wins on lower costs due to stronger Fees & Spreads performance.
| 1.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $15/month (after 12 months)▼ lower | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA | FCA ASIC JFSA MAS DFSA FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker