Two established brokers clash over access, cost models, and platform depth. Saxo Bank leans into global reach and institutional-grade tools, while Trading 212 emphasizes low-cost, accessible investing.
Saxo Bank edges Trading 212 on the editorial score due to broader market access and stronger regulatory coverage.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Saxo Bank if…
Choose Saxo Bank if you value access to 50 exchanges and extended trading hours.
Choose Trading 212 if…
Choose Saxo Bank if you want professional research tools and phone support. Choose Trading 212 if you want commission-free stock and ETF trading. Choose Trading 212 if you want fractional shares and an ISA option.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Trading 212 wins for low-cost trading with commission-free stock and ETF trading.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) | None |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Saxo Bank | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: Saxo Bank rates 4.5/5 and Trading 212 rates 4.2/5. Saxo Bank 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 Trading 212. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Trading 212 has $1, while Saxo Bank requires at least $2000. This makes Trading 212 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Saxo Bank and Trading 212 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: Trading 212 requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), 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 Trading 212 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.
Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Trading 212 supports Trading 212 App. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Trading 212 has exclusive access to Trading 212 App.
Trading 212 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.
Both Saxo Bank and Trading 212 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 for safety & regulation with a broad multi-jurisdiction profile.
Trading 212 wins for long-term investors with fractional shares and an ISA.
Saxo Bank wins for active traders with professional tools and global access.
Trading 212 wins for beginners with fractional stocks and commission-free trades.
Saxo Bank wins for global market access with 60,000+ instruments across 50+ exchanges.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC JFSA MAS DFSA FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile | Trading 212 App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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