Two brokers compete for different investor appetites: Plus500 emphasizes simplicity and regulation, while Saxo Bank emphasizes breadth, platforms, and multi-asset access.
Saxo Bank edges Plus500 on overall quality due to stronger regulation, richer platforms, and broader market access. Plus500 remains competitive with its simple spread-only pricing for beginner stock CFDs.
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 offers broader multi-jurisdiction regulation.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100▼ lower | $2,000 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 3 months)▼ lower | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Plus500 | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
Saxo Bank rates 4.5/5 versus 3.6/5 for Plus500. Saxo Bank edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both Plus500 and Saxo Bank start from the same spread of 0.6. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
Plus500 has $100, while Saxo Bank requires at least $2000. This makes Plus500 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Plus500 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: Plus500 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.
Plus500 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.
Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO.
Neither Plus500 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 Plus500 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 supports long-term investors with dividend reinvestment and access to bonds and options.
Saxo Bank suits active traders with advanced research tools and broad instrument coverage.
Plus500 suits beginners with a simple, beginner-friendly interface and clear pricing.
Saxo Bank provides superior global market access across 50+ exchanges.
Plus500 wins for low cost trading due to spread-only pricing and no commissions.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | 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 CySEC CMA | FCA ASIC JFSA MAS DFSA FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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