Two brokers compete on platform depth and global reach. Saxo Bank builds a case for institutional grade access, while ThinkMarkets emphasizes strong mobile tools and social features.
Saxo Bank is the overall winner on editorial score, with broader exchange access (50 vs 12) reinforcing its lead over ThinkMarkets.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Saxo Bank if…
Choose Saxo Bank if you want access to 50 exchanges and dividend reinvestment in one account.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want 3,000+ share CFDs and a mobile-first platform.
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 broader regulator profile.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Saxo Bank | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Saxo Bank rates 4.5/5 versus 3.8/5 for ThinkMarkets. Saxo Bank edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ThinkMarkets lists tighter spreads from 0.4, compared with Saxo Bank's 0.6. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while Saxo Bank requires at least $2000. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Saxo Bank and ThinkMarkets 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: ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, 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 ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets 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.
Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Saxo Bank nor ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets 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 with dividend reinvestment and multi-asset investing.
Saxo Bank wins for active traders with research tools and stock screener.
ThinkMarkets wins for beginners with $0 min deposit and accessible mobile platforms.
Saxo Bank wins for global market access with 50 exchanges.
Equally matched.
| N/A |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity fee | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) | None |
|---|
| 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 | FCA ASIC JFSA MAS DFSA FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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