This comparison pits Saxo Bank's institutional-grade access and advanced tools against Skilling's streamlined CFD platform. The tension centers on exchange coverage, platform capabilities, and regulatory protections.
Based on the scores, Saxo Bank edges Skilling for exchange access and regulation; Skilling remains appealing for low deposits and CFD trading.
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 for safety & regulation due to its broader regulator footprint.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $50▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) | $10/month (after 90 days)▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Saxo Bank | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Saxo Bank rates 4.5/5 versus 3.7/5 for Skilling. 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 Skilling's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Skilling has $50, while Saxo Bank requires at least $2000. This makes Skilling more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Saxo Bank and Skilling 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: Skilling requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Saxo Bank lists maximum leverage of 1:5, while Skilling lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Saxo Bank nor Skilling 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 Saxo Bank and Skilling 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 offers dividend reinvestment and multi-asset investing in one account.
Saxo Bank provides professional-grade research and analytics tools for active traders.
Skilling's low minimum and CFD focus suit beginners starting small.
Saxo Bank delivers broad global exposure with 50 exchanges.
Skilling wins for low entry costs with a $50 minimum deposit.
| 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 |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | DFSA FCA JFSA MAS ASIC FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile | cTrader Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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