This comparison pits Saxo Bank against XM on platform depth, market access, and regulation. It teases how each broker fits different investor needs.
Saxo Bank wins on editorial score, while XM trails in platform breadth and market reach.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Saxo Bank leads on regulation with a broader multi-jurisdiction footprint and higher trust score.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $5▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) | $5/month (after 90 days)▼ lower |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Saxo Bank | XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3.7/5 for XM. Saxo Bank edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both Saxo Bank and XM 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.
XM has $5, while Saxo Bank requires at least $2000. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Saxo Bank and XM 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: XM requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), 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 XM lists up to 1000:1. 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 XM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO and Proprietary Web/Mobile. XM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Saxo Bank nor XM 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 XM 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, supporting long-term investing.
Saxo Bank provides professional-grade tools and a proprietary platform for active trading.
XM offers a lower minimum deposit making it more accessible for new investors.
Saxo Bank offers access to 50 exchanges, expanding global reach.
XM is cheaper on fees and spreads based on the lower Fees & Spreads score.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free for most methods |
|---|
| 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 | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 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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